Oakzanita Peak

Oakzanita sounds like the offspring of Oak and Manzanita. But oaks and manzanitas are plants and asexual so it's hard to imagine how Oakzanita came about. I did see some oak by the creek and manzanita bushes on the upper trail all the way to Oakzanita Peak.

I have always thought of the peak as Watson's Peak. Susan Watson is a favorite hiker and the peak  have been Watson's favorite. So is mine now. The view at the peak  is breathtaking and spectacular. 

"That's El Cajon Peak, the most difficult hike in the county." Bruce points out the northeastern face of El Cajon to me. 

"I done it three times on my own." My bragging  was spontaneous. 

Bruce who looked like he's into a new wellness program seems really awed at all the challenging hikes he's looking at.

El Cajon Peak and Viejas Mountain is on the west, Cuyamaca Peak is not far to the northwest and Stonewall Peak is north almost parallel to the peak where Bruce stands. Bruce, the fellow lone hiker is bagging the Oakzanita Peak for the first time must have taken the long route. My Fitbit tells me it's 3.6 miles from the parking lot to the peak via the upper Descanso Creek. 

Past the boulder that looked like it swallowed Jonah  before or after Noah's flood is Cuyamaca Peak in a short distance.

It's a clear day and what I can see far beyond are not figments of my imagination. The boulder actually reminds me of the Shroud of Turin.

The inglorious wanderer would always be  here, there and everywhere. The date was actually the day before.

Oakzanita is the southern portion of the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The trailhead is just past the Oakzanita Campgrounds along Highway 79. It's about 3 or 4 miles and just past the razor sharp curves. The trailhead is on your right.