This is one of those hikes that lets you know what people mean by "uphill both ways" but once you've done it, if you're anything like me... you'll be an addict. I've seen varying distances for this hike, but I believe it to be 11 miles round trip & this is 5.5 miles out and back... there is no water, no facilities & often few people. While most of the incline is going up, there are signicant descents along the way that will come back to haunt you. The first time I did this hike, it was a cold, drizzly, January day and I made it consuming about a litre of water. I returned a few months later to get a better appreciation & nearly passed out on just a litre... if you're hiking in temperatures over 60, you'll want to bring plenty of water - at 70, I usually drink about 3l. The scenery, however, is stunning with sweeping vistas to pick from whichever way you look. Being a San Diego native, this is the one I do for fun when I can't spare the drive time to get into the mountains...but I'd love to get a team together & share the hike.

 Location: 32° 54' 45.43" N, 116° 53' 3.48" W

From the South, take Interstate 8 eastbound to Highway 67 heading north. Continue on Highway 67 northbound to the traffic-lighted intersection of Mapleview Street where Highway 67 ends. Make a right-hand turn at the traffic-lighted intersection onto Mapleview Street. Proceed eastbound on Mapleview Street for approximately .3 miles until you reach the traffic-lighted intersection of Ashwood. Make a left-hand turn onto Ashwood at the traffic-lighted intersection. Proceed northbound on Ashwood for approximately 1 mile until you reach an intersection with a 4-way stop. PLEASE NOTE: Ashwood becomes Wildcat Canyon Road after the 4-way stop intersection. Continue northbound on Wildcat Canyon Road for approximately an additional 3.3 miles until you reach Blue Sky Ranch Road on your right-hand side. PLEASE NOTE: There is no stop sign or traffic light at the intersection of Wildcat Canyon Road at Blue Sky Ranch Road. Make a right-hand turn onto Blue Sky Ranch Road and enter the gravel parking lot staging area on your left-hand side for El Capitan Open Space Preserve. Park your vehicle and meet near the gate to the access road that leads up the mountain. Trail starts after walking up Blue Sky Ranch Rd & is well marked all the way out. At the 5 mile marker, there is a 3-way split. Forward goes nowhere & right goes to a dilapidated metal hut - the actual trail is the left-hand route.