Cajon Mountain

Overview

Cajon Mountain stands prominent watch over the Cajon Pass region which resides at the jumbled intersection between the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains. On the summit of Cajon Mountain is a old fire lookout tower that is missing its cabin and platform. Cajon Mountain was on the original Hundred Peaks List but was delisted in 2008.

Getting There

Drive east on I-10 to I-15, then north on I-15 to SR 138. Turn right (east).
Go 8.0 miles to the junction with SR 173 on the left near Lake Silverwood. Keep straight on SR 138.
Drive another 2.6 miles and exit on Cleghorn Road (2N49). This is also the main entrance to Lake Silverwood. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right on 2N49. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.8 mile, pavement ends.
At 2.4 miles, fork. Go right.
At 4.0 miles, Cleghorn Pass and a hairpin turn at two water tanks.
At 6.3 miles, Cajon Lookout road fork on the right. Park here. [The gate is sometimes open, but there is no way to confirm this in advance]. Adequate parking.

Route

Distance: 3 miles r.t. on road & cross-country
Gain: 300 feet
Time: 1½ hours r.t.
Guide Written By Warren E. von Pertz and Paul Lipsohn - 1974

From the parking area (5000'), hike west down the road past the saddle at 4297' and continue to about 50’ before reaching a shallow saddle 1/4 mile east of the lookout. Go up the use trail that starts here and leads east through the brush to the summit. The lookout and radio facility location is NOT the summit. The brush can be very dense if not groomed.

The fire lookout tower without it cabin can be climbed but do so with great caution.

External Links

Hundred Peaks Section
For camping information and current conditions go to the San Bernardino National Forest for current conditions website.

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Images

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