El Cajon Mountain Conservation
El Capitan Mountain Preserve
High atop the iconic El Cajon Mountain, our El Capitan Mountain Preserve is a 385 acre open space preserve set aside for the protection of the sensitive plant species Lakeside ceanothus. The property was acquired by San Diego Gas and Electric in 2013 as mitigation for one its projects. Ownership was subsequently transferred to the San Diego River Park Foundation so that it could be maintained in perpetuity in conformance with a Conservation Easement which was placed over the entire property.
Visiting the Preserve
Access: Currently CLOSED
While the majority of our preserves are open for hiking, the Conservation Easement over this property restricts access to the public to protect the sensitive resources. Staff-led tours are held annually in the winter/spring for members of the public to visit the preserve and learn more about its conservation.
The next guided public hikes will be on May 23, 2026 and November 14, 2026.
Join us for this fun, strenuous hike to retrieve the wildlife cameras and download images. Learn more and register for the May event here. Future events are posted on our event calendar, and usually include photomonitoring surveys and camera retrieval hikes.
Protecting Rare and Threatened Species
The El Capitan Mitigation Preserve is home to hundreds of plants and animals including many sensitive species such as mountain lion, golden eagle, southern mule deer, Blainville’s horned lizard, Lakeside ceanothus, Orcutt's brodiaea and others.
We care for these special species by protecting the land on which they live, hunt, and breed. Our management activities include invasive plant removal, erosion control, fire recovery and access control.
Lakeside ceanothus
(Ceanothus cyaneus)
Lakeside ceanothus is an evergreen shrub that reaches up to 15 feet in height. It produces brilliant deep purple-blue flowers from April to June. Lakeside ceanothus is only found in San Diego County and northern Baja California, Mexico.
In May 2024, we have documented a concerning dieback of the Lakeside ceanothus on the preserve, despite careful management of this preserve. Read more about our efforts to better understand and limit this issue by clicking the button below.
Golden eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
Golden eagles are a fully protected species. Golden eagle pairs mate for life, and the preserve is part of a nesting territory for a pair that uses the rocky cliffs to nest. Human disturbance can disrupt their nesting and cause failure.
The San Diego River Watershed supports one of the largest concentrations of golden eagles in San Diego County. Conserving El Capitan Mountain provides a safe, permanent nesting area, supporting long-term reproductive success as golden eagles often return to the same nesting sites annually.
Ringtail
(Bassariscus astutus)
Ringtails are classified as a fully protected species by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Factors such as increasing urbanization and wildfires contribute to habitat fragmentation and loss, posing significant threats to local populations. Our wildlife cameras allow us to observe these elusive species and monitor their presence across our open space preserves, including El Cajon Mountain.
Monte Fire, June 2025
On June 17, 2025, a fire ignited at the base of the mountain near El Monte County Park and El Monte Rd., burning up the face of the mountain and reaching the El Capitan Mountain Preserve boundary. Over the week, about 40% of the preserve burned.
The habitats are adapted to fire, and we are hopeful about recovery. Native plants have unique adaptations to survive and sometimes even thrive following fire: some have seeds that require fire for germination, many re-sprout from roots, which survive fires that burn the above ground branches.
We will continue to monitor and support fire recovery at this preserve.
Weather and Environmental Data
Through a partnership with the San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, a real-time weather station was installed on the property in 2019. This weather station provides rainfall, wind and temperature data to inform preserve management.
Interesting in visiting the preserve?
You are invited to join a guided volunteer opportunity to visit the preserve. If you are interested in permission for educational or research use of the preserve, requests are evaluated on a case by case basis. Advanced SDRPF approval is required for access.
Contact Natalie, Senior Manager of Natural Resurces, to learn more about volunteer opportunities or request access permission.