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The search for a missing 34-year-old hiker near El Cajon Mountain came to a tragic conclusion yesterday when authorities discovered his dead body near one of the hiking trails in Lakeside. As reported Fox 5 San Diego, this marks the third recent death on San Diego County hiking trails within just a few short weeks.
The unnamed hiker began his hike around 9:00 a.m. on August 1st and was expected to return to his family by 2:00 p.m. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, after he failed to return, the man's family contacted the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. A Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit was deployed, which included SAR volunteers and a helicopter unit, but despite their efforts, it wasn't until the morning of August 2nd that the missing hiker's body was located.
Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident, as the hiker is the third person to die on local hiking trails in recent weeks. In July, a 24-year-old mountain biker passed away in Jacumba when attempting to assist four hikers suffering from dehydration, and an 81-year-old man was found dead one mile into his hike in Rancho Bernardo, where authorities believe extreme heat played a factor.
San Diego Fire-Rescue advises hiking with a friend, carrying a reliable cell phone for emergency assistance, planning hikes during cooler parts of the day, and ensuring proper hydration and sun protection.
El Cajon Mountain and El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside share a main trail for several miles before it splits off. Recognizing the difficulty of these trails and the dangerous summer heat, San Diego County has closed the parking lot to these trails, Mt. Gower, and Hellhole Canyon Reserve for the entire month of August.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office is currently performing an autopsy to determine the man's identity, as well as the cause and manner of his death.
