The El Cajon Mountain hike was a great adventure. I was initially motivated by a desire to conquer a challenging trail and fulfill a bucket list item to end my SD Six Pack of Peaks challenge on a high note. But anticipation turned to dread fueled by other hikers' reviews on AllTrails.

However, the hike wasn't as daunting as expected. Surprisingly, the downhills posed more difficulty than the uphills for me, leaving my quads extra sore. But the overall satisfaction of not only completing the hardest hike in San Diego but also the SD Six Pack of Peaks challenge was immensely rewarding.

I encourage anyone who's physically and mentally prepared to embark on this journey—it's worth the effort!