Otay Mountain

Otay Mountain is a mountain located in San Diego County, California. It is the highest summit of the San Ysidro Mountains. The mountain is located in the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area.[3]

Otay Mountain
Otay Mountain as seen from Doghouse Junction
Highest point
Elevation3,568 ft (1,088 m) NAVD 88 NAVD 88[1]
Prominence2,086 ft (636 m)[2]
Coordinates32°35′40″N 116°50′41″W[1]
Geography
Otay Mountain is located in San Diego County, California
Otay Mountain
Otay Mountain
Otay Mountain is located in California
Otay Mountain
Otay Mountain
LocationSan Diego County, California
Parent rangeSan Ysidro Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Otay Mountain
Climbing
Easiest routeTrail hike[3]

The Mexico-United States border runs along the south face of the mountain.

History

The name "Otay" comes from the Kumeyaay word otai, which means "brushy".[3]

On March 16, 1991, a Hawker Siddeley HS-125 airplane carrying seven members of singer Reba McEntire's band, plus her business manager and two pilots, crashed into the side of the mountain after taking off from nearby Brown Field Municipal Airport, killing all ten on board.[4][5]

Otay Mountain has had several wildfire incidents in the past. The plant life in Otay Mountain "burned completely" in 2003, and another wildfire happened later in 2007.[6]

A border fence spanning the Mexico–United States border runs along the south face of Otay moutnain in order to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing the national border. The border fence has received criticism for its effects on nature and wilderness.[7] In particular, the construction was criticized by author Rob Davis for creating a harsh environment for a species of butterfly due to dust being kicked up by trucks.[8] The fence in the area is estimated to cost approximately $16 million per mile.[9]

Panoramic view atop Otay Mountain.

References
  1. "Otay". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  2. "Otay Mountain, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  3. "Otay Mountain". SummitPost.org. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  4. Granberry, Michael (March 17, 1991). "8 Country Band Members Die in S.D. Air Crash". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2009.
  5. "Accident description - N831LC". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  6. Nicol, Scott (September 8, 2009). "Fires' Scorched Earth Leaves Little Habitat for Rare Bird, Butterfly". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  7. Nicol, Scott (February 27, 2011). "Costly fence on US-Mexico border is effective – only in hurting nature". Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  8. Davis, Rob (October 22, 2009). "A Barren Promise at the Border". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  9. Elizondo Griest, Stephanie (April 21, 2015). "Art Against the Wall". Oxford American. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
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