Sitton Peak & El Coriso Campground

I’m from San Diego, so I am planning to do a bunch of these hikes in conjunction with an overnight camping trip to break up the driving. So I started the challenge off with Sitton Peak since it’s the closest to me. I camped at El Coriso campground, which is only about 5 minutes from the trailhead on Ortega Highway. It was noisy with the freeway nearby, but was quiet by 8pm and I got a good nights sleep at a cute little campsite (#10). There were only 2 other sites occupied of the 15.

In the morning after packing up, it only took 5 minutes to drive to the trailhead and I was hiking by 8:00am. It was slightly overcast, so the temperature was perfect. I was in a tank top the entire time until I hung out at the peak for a while and got a little chilly. It was a fantastic hike. The last 0.3 miles to the peak is STEEEEEP but fun. I was glad I had trekking poles to get down. I clocked 3 hours and 13 minutes of active hiking time for 10.26 miles and averaged 18’53” per mile. It was clear enough at the peak to see Catalina and snow-capped peaks in the distance. It was slightly buggy through the chaparral areas, but nothing terrible.

I was back in my car by 12:15, having seen only 2 other parties of 2 on the trail. Home before 2pm and eating a sandwich. It was the perfect 24-hour getaway.