Good job! I'd thought about putting this one up myself but needed more pics and beta. It's better someone from the area takes care of it, though, and you've done good work.
BTW, I tried to do the trail last May and the lot was closed and Do Not Enter signs were posted but I've heard, though not confirmed, that it's ok to go up. What have you heard, and have you done the trail recently?
Hi Don! Thanks for your vote and your note! I climbed the South Arete last Saturday. I had a hard time in the past finding the trailhead: ( some people had told me that there was a sign posted " Climber's Trail" but I have never ever seen anything like that.) I lucked out last weekend, because a group of 30-40 climbers with the San Diego Climber's Coalition were doing trail maintenance, and clearly showed me the way on El Monte Road... I think these might be the folks who spraypainted the blue arrows denoting the trail. As for the El Cajon Mtn trail, I have not seen it since the Cedar Fires, so I'm not exactly sure on its condition. I'll try and check soon and give an update. Again, thanks!
El Cajon Mt. Trail is currently closed "Until Further Notice." Found out the hard way yesterday, as I made it all the way to the trailhead parking lot only to discover it closed.
Right about 5.5 hours RT, jogging on much of the return trip. ~3.5 hours up, ~30 minutes on top eating chocolate and looking for a register (couldn't find one), ~1.5 hours down. My knees weren't too happy about the downhill! I WISH there were snow up there, but I don't think there's snow anywhere in S.D. County right now.
I was climbing up the South Arete and I saw the big block to the west and was just wondering if anyone climbed it or knew of anyone who has. It is ridge probably 25 feet wide and 50 feet tall that tops out at a point.
I have been climbing at ECM for quite a while now. Recently it seems the squirrels at the base have figured out that packs left at the base while we climb often contain tasty snacks. This has lead to two of my packs being chewed completely through by the bastards. On one occasion I watched from two pitches up as one gnawed through my new climbing pack, and could do nothing about it at the time. To remedy this I packed in a large, green Rubbermaid storage tote. I brought this up so that other climbers like myself can climb without worry of losing our snack, and packs. I left the tote near the base of Leonids. Please use it with respect (i.e., don't leave garbage or food to spoil in it) and also...don't feed the squirrels. Climb on!
brenta - Sep 29, 2004 10:02 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice, complete page. Thanks for posting it!
Mgross - Sep 29, 2004 10:38 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks so much!
mtwashingtonmonroe - Sep 29, 2004 10:07 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentVery nice! From the sig pic it looks similar to Vestal Peak in Colorado. Nice wall! Great job and have a good one!
-Britt
Mgross - Sep 29, 2004 10:38 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks for your vote! You have a good one, too!
Gangolf Haub - Sep 30, 2004 3:48 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice job!
Joseph Bullough - Sep 30, 2004 8:43 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentWell done page. There's a typo in the When to Climb section: 'ealry'.
Mgross - Sep 30, 2004 8:53 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentHey, thanks for noticing that. I changed it. Have a good one!
Don Nelsen - Sep 30, 2004 3:17 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGood job! I'd thought about putting this one up myself but needed more pics and beta. It's better someone from the area takes care of it, though, and you've done good work.
BTW, I tried to do the trail last May and the lot was closed and Do Not Enter signs were posted but I've heard, though not confirmed, that it's ok to go up. What have you heard, and have you done the trail recently?
Don
Mgross - Sep 30, 2004 6:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentHi Don! Thanks for your vote and your note! I climbed the South Arete last Saturday. I had a hard time in the past finding the trailhead: ( some people had told me that there was a sign posted " Climber's Trail" but I have never ever seen anything like that.) I lucked out last weekend, because a group of 30-40 climbers with the San Diego Climber's Coalition were doing trail maintenance, and clearly showed me the way on El Monte Road... I think these might be the folks who spraypainted the blue arrows denoting the trail. As for the El Cajon Mtn trail, I have not seen it since the Cedar Fires, so I'm not exactly sure on its condition. I'll try and check soon and give an update. Again, thanks!
Don Nelsen - Sep 30, 2004 8:10 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentBy the way, it's I-8 east, not west in the "Getting there" section.
don
fuzzy05 - Mar 29, 2006 2:00 am - Hasn't voted
Trail ClosedEl Cajon Mt. Trail is currently closed "Until Further Notice." Found out the hard way yesterday, as I made it all the way to the trailhead parking lot only to discover it closed.
chudder - Apr 19, 2007 5:44 pm - Hasn't voted
Trail OpenEl Cajon Mt. Trail is open.
Deb - Apr 19, 2007 6:13 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Trail OpenChud - you did the whole trip in less than 5 hours? Were you running? Any snow around there?
chudder - Apr 19, 2007 9:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Trail OpenRight about 5.5 hours RT, jogging on much of the return trip. ~3.5 hours up, ~30 minutes on top eating chocolate and looking for a register (couldn't find one), ~1.5 hours down. My knees weren't too happy about the downhill! I WISH there were snow up there, but I don't think there's snow anywhere in S.D. County right now.
PrestonRhea - Sep 28, 2008 10:36 pm - Voted 10/10
El Cajon Mtn "Spire"I was climbing up the South Arete and I saw the big block to the west and was just wondering if anyone climbed it or knew of anyone who has. It is ridge probably 25 feet wide and 50 feet tall that tops out at a point.
So, any beta?
mtntaylor - Jan 1, 2013 1:16 am - Hasn't voted
SquirrelsI have been climbing at ECM for quite a while now. Recently it seems the squirrels at the base have figured out that packs left at the base while we climb often contain tasty snacks. This has lead to two of my packs being chewed completely through by the bastards. On one occasion I watched from two pitches up as one gnawed through my new climbing pack, and could do nothing about it at the time. To remedy this I packed in a large, green Rubbermaid storage tote. I brought this up so that other climbers like myself can climb without worry of losing our snack, and packs. I left the tote near the base of Leonids. Please use it with respect (i.e., don't leave garbage or food to spoil in it) and also...don't feed the squirrels. Climb on!
-Mike T.