Cajon Mountain

Cajon Mountain, photo by Sunny Yi

Cajon Mountain, photo by Sharon Moore

Peak Name

Cajon Mountain

19B

Elevation

5360

feet

Status

active

Region

Lake Arrowhead

Range

San Bernardino Mountains

Nearby peaks

Sugarpine Mountain, Bailey Peak, Monument Peak #2

Location

34.2711166,-117.4239375

Description

Cajon Mountain overlooks its namesake pass that is central to California history. The pass was and is a critical artery for entry into southern California and the Los Angeles basin. Through this pass came the original 1775 Anza expedition, and became the “Old Spanish Trail”, the first trade route extending through Colorado, New Mexico and California. Later it was the site of battles between competing railroad companies, historic Route 66, then the modern-day rail artery and highway to Las Vegas. This unassuming brushy summit has views of the Cajon Pass area where the constantly passing trains far below look like a model railroad, the Cucamonga Wilderness, and Mount Baldy in the distance. It is usually hiked in combination with nearby Sugarpine, Bailey, and Monument #2.

Route 1 is a short walk on brushy use trail to the peak following a long drive on rough high clearance road. The roads are closed seasonally.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

500′ total, 400′ out plus 100′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

3 miles round trip on road and cross-country

Estimated time

2 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Western approach:
Drive east on I-10 to I-15, then north on I-15 about 20.5 miles to Cleghorn Road (2N47, dirt). Exit I-15 and turn right (east). Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.8 mile, fork. Go right.
At 2.3 miles, stay to the right at a junction.
At 3.8 miles, go straight on 2N47 at a four way junction.
At 8.0 miles, a jeep road descends from the summit. Park here.

Eastern approach:
Drive east on I-10 to I-15, then north on I-15 to SR 138. Turn right (east).
Go 8.0 miles to the junction with SR 173 on the left near Lake Silverwood. Keep straight on SR 138.
Go 1.1 miles farther to 2N47. Turn right. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 2.2 miles, fork. Go right.
At 6.8 miles, a parking area where a jeep road descends from the summit. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (5000′), hike west down the road past the saddle at 4645′ and continue about 1/2 mile before reaching a shallow saddle 1/4 mile east of the former lookout (west of the peak).
Just before reaching the saddle and the summit ridge, go up a use trail that ascends to the ridge (going up the ridge directly from the saddle is too brushy). Follow this trail as is winds its way through brush west to the summit. The “lookout” has been removed and the remaining radio facility location is not the summit. The brush can be very dense if not groomed.

Route Notes

Printable Route