During the 1900s, silicified alaskiteaplite was mined for use inporcelain wares production. The name of the miner was McGinty, thus giving the mountain its name. The visible remains of the old mine can be found along the climb towards the summit. Several more mines exist on the mountain, but they are less readily visible. The old mines should not be entered due to the risks of collapse, falls from the vertical shafts, noxious gasses and rattlesnakes that shelter there during the day.[5]
The mines are sometimes referred to as "Peg Leg mine," and a local road bears the name Peg Leg Mine Road. This is a result of locallegend associating the mines on McGinty with the gold-bearing "Lost Pegleg Mine" ofThomas "Peg Leg" Smith.[6]
This mountain is a member of a distinctive coastal "sky island" bioclimatic zone found in San Diego County and northwesternBaja California, which harbor numerous rare and endemic species due to their geologic composition, usually consisting of gabbroic, mafic, and metavolcanic soils.[7] The gabbro-derived soil (Las Posas stony fine sandy loam) on McGinty is characterized by low levels of major nutrients necessary for plant life, likephosphorus,calcium, andpotassium, and high levels of heavy metals such asnickel,chromium, andcobalt.[8][9]
The mountain is host to a number of rare and endemic species, which include:
San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha illicifolia) – An annual herb found growing on the southwestern slope of the mountain. A member of themint family, characterized by white to pink to purple flowers in spring. Typically found growing in southeast to west facing slopes in clay lenses with friable soil.[10] An endangered species, it has lost nearly 90% of its habitat fromurbanization.[9]
San Miguel savory (Clinopodium chandleri) – An aromatic perennial shrub found throughout the mountain. Also a member of the mint family, it is characterized by small white flowers and leaves with a fragrance similar to mint.[8] Distributed on other mountains in the same bioclimatic zone, such asSan Miguel Mountain and theCerro Bola. It is an imperiled species threatened by development and restricted to regionally uncommon metavolcanic and gabbroic soils.[11]
Parry's tetracoccus (Tetracoccus dioicus) – A perennial shrub found in the chaparral, typically on dry and stony hillsides and slopes. In thePicrodendraceae family. In the springtime, it is characterized by clusters of small red flowers, and later distinctive four-lobed fruits.[8] Restricted to uncommon gabbro derived soils in southern California and northern Baja California. Threatened by development and agriculture, particularly by clearing for citrus and avocado orchards.[12]
Dehesa nolina (Nolina interrata) – A perennialrosette-formingmonocot, found towards the summit of the mountain. In the subfamilyConvallarioideae of theAsparagaceae, somewhat related to agaves and similar-looking local plants likechaparral yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei). It is characterized by large, blue-gray, grass-like foliage. Over half of California's population of this plant are found along the ridgeline of McGinty.[13]
Other common plants along the trail and mountain include the fragrant Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii).[13]
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