16850 El Monte Road Lakeside
CA 92040
El Capitan is the second largest of San Diego’s reservoirs. It stretches about 5 miles in a remote area between Lakeside and Alpine. https://www.sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes/el-capitan-reservoir#undefined.
This is probably the best time of year to paddle this lake. The surrounding hills should be at their greenest and maybe purple too. At this time last year, the California lilacs (ceanothus sp.) were in full bloom and covering the hillsides.
There is no water skiing allowed on the lake at this time, so we won’t have to worry about that.
We’ll meet around 8:30 to prepare for a 9:00 launch.
Fees at El Capitan are the same as San Vicente. There is an entrance fee of $8 per person. Launching a single kayak is included with that fee. Tandems, canoes, and other boats cost extra.
The Rocky Mountain Recreational Company has been closed for the last couple years, so there are no kayak rentals available.
This lake is kind of out in the boondocks with nothing nearby. If you have time after the paddle, let’s have a picnic lunch.
Disclaimer: We will have experienced paddlers on this trip, but they will not be responsible for telling you what is or is not safe for you to do. We watch out for one another and assist one another, but all individuals are responsible for, and manage their own safety. This responsibility includes assessing your gear, skill level, and physical conditioning relative to conditions and location, as well as making decisions about what you will or will not do. Participants acknowledge that kayaking is inherently dangerous and can lead to physical injury including death as well as property damage. Participants, on their behalf and on behalf of their heirs and assignees, agree to hold the announcers and other participants blameless in the event of such injury, damage or death. Please join us if you want to mildly stretch your capabilities, but please stay home if you would be wildly stretching them. Participants should have bracing skills, be able to self-rescue and assist in the rescue of others.