What started as a routine last Saturday hike on one of East County’s toughest peaks ended in heartbreak, after a 40-year-old man who set out alone on El Cajon Mountain was found dead yesterday.
The discovery brought a multi-day search to a close. The man’s remains were turned over to the San Diego County Medical Examiner, which will make a positive identification and determine the cause of death before officials release more information.
Family members told deputies the hiker left around 8 AM from a trailhead north of Lakeside, near Wildcat Canyon Road and Oak Oasis Road, and never returned. When he did not come back as expected, relatives called the authorities. Deputies, search-and-rescue volunteers and a sheriff’s helicopter spent the weekend scouring the mountain before locating a body around 7:30 PM yesterday, according to FOX 5 San Diego.
Recovery and next steps
Search teams recovered the body near one of the established trails just east of the trailhead and moved it to an accessible location to await formal identification. The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death as part of its investigation before any additional details are released.
Heat wave raises safety concerns
The death came in the middle of an unusually early and intense March heat wave that sent inland temperatures into the high 80s and 90s, conditions forecasters say can sharply increase the risk of heat-related illness for hikers and outdoor workers.
Officials have warned that the warm ridge of high pressure driving the spike could push inland Southern California into record-breaking territory for this time of year, according to the The Associated Press. The National Weather Service has issued alerts urging people to take the heat seriously, even this early in the season.
What hikers should know
Local outlets and forecasters are reminding anyone heading onto the trails to avoid strenuous climbs during the hottest part of the day, carry more water than they think they will need, hike with a partner when possible and always tell someone their route and expected return time.
The Times of San Diego reported that the county opened cooling centers and urged residents to seek shade, use air conditioning, and stay hydrated during the heat wave.
How search-and-rescue works
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team regularly works with trained volunteers to comb steep, rocky terrain like El Cajon Mountain, often coordinating with helicopter crews to reach remote spots. During operations, teams set up command posts near trailheads to plan grid searches, track resources and relay information to families.
For more on how the county’s search-and-rescue program operates and how volunteers are used in missions like this one, the Sheriff’s Department provides an overview on the San Diego County Sheriff's Office website.
