If you're looking for a slightly easier trek, the 2.6-mile out-and-back Cholla Trail on the east side of the mountain offers a more gradual incline, at least until you near the summit. You can ...

But the key detail with the roughly 11-mile out-and-back ... the trail leading to the summit of El Capitan, the peak just west of El Cajon Mountain. Continue on the trail heading east toward ...