El Capitan (El Cajon Mountain) Trail, ‘Wow’, San Diego County.

Still playing 'King of the Castle' and loving it—at peak. (Gets better during 2nd childhood)

Jenni climbing steep and rough slopes, camera can't portray

Facing Coronado Bay from many, many miles away, pre-sunset

Over the last two-and-half years, we have undertaken at least four hundred hikes—we suppose it seems a lot when blurted as one figure—probably is. You might ask: ‘What else do you do with yourselves?’ We could provide a number of answers but that would be telling. Today, we were inspired and could not help pushing a little harder. This morning, we witnessed a friend of ours, Gary S, showed loving kindness to a fellow human. That was all we needed as we set off to attempt San Diego County’s toughest hike, in our opinion. In fact, it would fit easily into the top ten hikes mentioned in the opening statement–strenuous as all 'hell'. As one wag said, “It is uphill both ways.”

Panoramic view late in the day

Jenni a little into her ascent which involves many descents

The hike differs from most in that while ascending, there are many descents. This means that every time one descends, one has to make good in respect of that loss of elevation. The cumulative gain is 4,000 feet over a distance of 11.8 miles—that's tough. There are numerous steep and very steep sections along what appears to be a never ending trail. Having finished moaning, we are thrilled to have spent more than 5 hours on that mountain and its neighbors.

Reach for the sky, pardner

Jenni 20 feet below the summit.

Our editor was in fine form, not even a tiny whine all day. However, we are expecting a ‘storm’ this evening as her muscles contract and protest the strain endured. It’s quite tough facing big slopes on the way down, towards the end of the hike. We thought it rather cheeky when she commented that as far as hiking, ‘she is done for the year’. To make that comment on January 1st, we think, is taking advantage—towards the end of December, sure.

Rocking around at half-way up trail

On way down, stop for another peak at the bay

Early sunset while still on mountain but close to 'home'

At the summit, some two-and-half hours after parking the car, we met a young couple, Michelle and Brian. These days, it appears everyone is young relative to us. Michelle is the type of woman you want to bring home for your sons to marry. We’re sure Brian is very nice, too but would not want to bring him home for our sons, though.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Editor thinks all it needs is a new battery to get her down the monster mountain. Peak in background

Sun is about to get drenched

Jen offered 10 bucks to make a fool of myself. I would have done it for less