[Hide Comment] There are very useful comments in the main El Cajon Mtn page and the description above but I wanted to provide more trail-finding beta beyond the climbers map specific to the Wedge, which is an entirely different approach from the Mountaineers Wall once you hit the road. There are cairns connecting the two areas but it's an overgrown gnarly scramble to traverse that will at least double your approach and get you in to some pretty unpleasant terrain. When people say they don't recommend it, take that as a hard no. Many people have made this mistake and regret it.

That being said, here is a very detailed description of the appropriate approach. If you want more than what’s in the climbing area map, including the landmarks outlined below, go to sartopo.com/m/2F6B. You can print this, export it as a GPX, whatever you need to do. There is some cell service depending on carrier higher up but you may not be able to rely on cell networks at the road so don't wait till you get there to figure this out.

1. The pullout is at approx. 32.88486, -116.82394.
2. Walk east from the pullout everyone uses to cross at the plank at 32.8847, -116.8233. If you start off west you can find paths but risk missing the raptor sign and end up in the wrong area (aforementioned).
3. Follow the obvious path to the dirt road as outlined above and find the raptor sign. Basically take a 90 degree turn to your right off the dirt road and keep going. The sign is at 32.8898, -116.8225. It doesn't matter how you get on to the dirt road but as the description says, make sure you start at the raptor sign.
4. Follow the climbers trail. It's almost a beeline north-northeast toward the Wedge below the drainage crossing, 748' of elevation gain in 0.8 mi from the dirt road to the crossing.
5. Cross the drainage immediately below The Wedge at 32.8998, -116.8183. This is really the only time you lose the obvious path but it's marked with cairns on either side.
6. After you cross the drainage you'll hit a series of relatively aggressive switchbacks in the final push, 0.6 mi with 922' delta gain.
7. You'll end up entering on the middle/east side of The Wedge below the Right Wall (lookers right) at about 32.9043, -116.8177.

Triton Tower is lookers left in the direction the path takes you so if you're heading toward the Left Wall, keep walking west. The Right Wall is the (sometimes) wet, dirtier surface of the Wedge to lookers right of the tower, and The Left Wall is the sunny dry surface to lookers left.

Have fun, wear sunscreen, and make smart decisions. Apr 1, 2019

[Hide Comment] Can't stress enough to stay on trail and read others directions!! Ended up bushwacking for hours (8 hours of hiking rather than 3). Park at the pullout and walk towards the dam/electrical area. If you look down at the ditch to the left you will soon see the big wooden plank that starts the trail. When you get to the raptor bird sign go RIGHT. Left does not lead to the wall (learned the hard way..). The only part where you could lose the trail is at the dry riverbed crossing. Just walk straight across the river (the short way). Look for the stacked rocks almost directly across where the trail ends and you will see where it picks up. From there it goes to the wall. STAY ON THE TRAIL! Apr 9, 2019

[Hide Comment] Thank you immensely to Cassie in her above post on this page for all the El Cajon approach information. The GPS coordinates that she provides of all the major landmarks are spot on, use this and savor this.

Even with the GPS coordinates guiding our way though, it's still easy to get off trail as there are tons of little trails here and there that split off from the main one. If you ever have the thought of "this little path looks somewhat traveled and looks like a shortcut straight to the mountain," just tell yourself a hard no and don't do it. You absolutely will regret it.

Lastly, if you are feeling a bit crisp in the morning when you first park, do yourself a favor and don't wear any layers even though it may be tempting. We climbed here in December and by the time the sun rose and hit us 30 mins into the hike, we were sweating profusely and wished we never brought any of the layers. Feb 12, 2021