All Locations > California > San Diego County > S San Diego County > El Cajon Mountain > Mountaineer Walls

Western Highlands Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Western Highlands

L › R R › L A › Z

	Crown Jewel T 5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
	Double Overhead S 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Highlander S 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Slippery Slope S 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	2,247 ft	685 m
GPS:	32.89952, -116.82456 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,231 total · 58/month
Shared By:	Gary Anderson on Sep 30, 2021
Admins:	Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Raptor Nesting Advisory Details

Please avoid raptor nests. El Cajon Mountain- Golden Eagles nested successfully at this site in 2009, after relocating twice between alternate nest sites. The Golden Eagle nest at El Cajon Mountain was not successful in Spring 2010. This nest was successful and fledged young in 2011 - 2021. Details from USFS posted here: fs.usda.gov/detail/clevelan…

The El Cajon Mountain climbing area is in close proximity to the San Diego River Park Foundation property. This property's purpose is to protect and conserve San Diego's threatened habitat and wildlife in perpetuity. Specifically, the San Diego River Park Foundation are protecting golden eagles that nest in the area and ceanothus, a California lilac that is an endemic sensitive plant species. Please avoid and limit recreational activities at the San Diego River Park Foundation property to promote San Diego's threatened habitat and wildlife. Thank you!

Description

This is probably the last area of Mountaineers which possess a handfull of routes. It lies directly above West Tier. The rock is generally good but some areas have some slight surface flakiness. Much like going way up to the Sun area, you have to want to get on these routes as the approach is long. The Highlands gets sun all day so better plan on cool temps.

Getting There

The easiest approach is to West Tier and climb Sleeping Giant (P3&4) up to the anchor just before the hip pitch. Hike up and to the west about 80' to the top anchor of Easy Way Out. Or climb Easy Way Out '10.b' for its 2 pitches. From the top anchor head up and to the left via grass filled slopes app. 200' to the base of the slabs. To EXIT this area hike down 200' and find the 1st short rap (anchors on a mega ton block with cairn) then 3 90' raps on Easy Way Out. There is also a way to hike there. Half way up West Tier trail just before the slab traverse, head up and left thru large boulders and grassy hillside following cairns. Careful navigating on this steep hillside above West Tier will get you to a grassy gully where you can see the 'hip pitch' of Sleeping Giant. Go up this gully staying on the low angle slabs to near the hip pitch and traverse west a short distance to the Highlands.

4 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location:	Western Highlands Change
Type:	to Trad Sport Toprope
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:	then:

Classic Climbing Routes at Western Highlands

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 5 ● Double Overhead Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 4 ● Highlander Sport
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 4 ● Crown Jewel Trad
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 4 ● Slippery Slope Sport