El Cajon Mountain

BODY FOUND ON LAKESIDE TRAIL BELIEVED TO BE MISSING HIKER

East County News Service

File photo by Billy Ortiz: Hiking trail leading to El Cajon Mountain

August 1, 2023 (Lakeside) – An all-night search for a hiker reported missing yesterday afternoon has ended after a body was found at 8:45 this morning near a hiking trail in El Cajon Mountain (also known as  El Capitan).

The man, 34, left to go hiking around 9 a.m. yesterday and was expected home around 2 p.m.  When he didn’t return, his family contacted the San Diego County Sheriff’s department.


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VIDEO OF THE WEEK: HIKING EL CAJON MOUNTAIN

 

November 24, 2020 (San Diego's East County) -- What’s it like to scale El Cajon Mountain, often called El Capitan, one of the most impressive peaks in East County?


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BODY FOUND OF HIKER MISSING ON EL CAJON MOUNTAIN IN LAKESIDE AREA

 

Update January 27, 2019:  The body of a man identified by family as Thomas Castiglia has been found at the base of a cliff on El Cajon Mountain, the Sheriff's department confirmed today. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

East County News Service

January 26, 2019 (Lakeside) – The Sheriff seeks public help to locate a missing hiker on El Cajon Mountain, known to locals as El Capitan, near Lakeside.  Thomas Mark Castiglia set out at 8:30 a.m. with a hiking group on a trail toward Lunch Rock, but around 10:40 a.m. he told other hikers that he was short of breath and would be hiking at a slower pace and advised them not to wait up for him.  As of 2:45 p.m., he had not returned from the trail head.

Castiglia, 50, is an experienced hiker with no known medical conditions. He is 5 ft. 6 inches tall, bald with hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing wearing a black sweater, black shorts, and green hat. He was carrying a green backpack and blue hiking poles.


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PRESERVATIONISTS SCORE A VICTORY ON EL CAJON MOUNTAIN

 

August 14, 2012 (El Cajon) – The San Diego River Park Foundation has succeeded in acquiring 157 acres on scenic “El Capitan” (El Cajon) Mountain in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley, a designated county scenic view corridor.  The victory is sweet for preservationists, since a portion of the mountain has been marred by Sunrise Powerlink and this will protect much of what’s left for future generations.  It’s nicknamed El Capitan for its resemblance to the landmark in Yosemite Valley. 


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RESCUE ON EL CAJON MOUNTAIN

 
Story and photos by Billy Ortiz
Video by Billy Ortiz and Pam Wilmers   
 
April 9, 2012 (Lakeside)—San Diego Sheriff’s Fire and Rescue performed a hoist rescue off the east face of El Cajon Mountain (known locally as El Capitan) today.  Leonard Pierini, 65, of Poway told ECM videographer Billy Ortiz that he was hiking alone, although other hikers were in the same area.  View a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omaz5TEpZrs

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READER’S EDITORIAL: A VIEW WORTH PRESERVING

 

By Billy Ortiz

April 23, 2011 (Lakeside) – It’s a beautiful April day as I head down East Main Street in El Cajon towards my home near Tunnel Hill. I can't help but notice Old Glory high above the El Cajon skyline and beyond, my favorite place towering in the background: El Cajon Mountain, also known as El Capitan.

 


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