Mark this Veterans Day by marching up one of the region’s most demanding trails during the annual Veterans Day Warrior Hike Challenge at El Capitan County Preserve.
There are three levels to this hike scheduled Saturday and hosted by San Diego County Parks and Recreation:
Boot Camp
The Boot Camp level will give families and beginners a chance to enjoy a 1-mile walk up to the picturesque ridgeline where they can take in breathtaking views of eastern San Diego County. This hike is considered easy to moderate and should take about 1 to 2 hours.
Recon
More skilled hikers can soldier up to the Recon level, a roughly 6-mile round-trip that can take 2 to 3 hours. This hike is best suited to teens and adults in good shape.
Warrior
The Warrior level hike will let the most skilled hikers continue to the top of El Capitan, also known as El Cajon Mountain. This roughly 10- to 12-mile hike is demanding. It includes multiple inclines and declines covering several hundred feet of changing elevation. This is a difficult hike that can take up to 7 hours to complete.
The Boot Camp and Recon hikes start anytime between 8 and 11 a.m. The Warrior hike starts promptly at 8 a.m.
Healthy refreshments will be available at 1- and 3-mile turnaround points.
All hikers should bring sturdy hiking boots, plenty of water and sun protection. Hiking poles are recommended. There will be a limited number of poles available to borrow.
Park rangers, staff and volunteers will be on site at the trailhead and at the 1 and 3-mile turnaround points, but the hikes will not be guided.
El Capitan County Preserve is located at 13775 Blue Sky Ranch Road in Lakeside. Parking will be limited at the trailhead. Additional parking is available across Wildcat Canyon Road at Oakoasis Preserve, located at 12620 Wildcat Canyon Road. Hikers can walk through an underground tunnel to reach the El Capitan parking lot.
For more information, call (619) 561-0580 or (858) 966-1331.
–Staff