2012-11-17: Goat Canyon Trestle Hike (ABDSP)

[BorregoWrangler]

Steve (THATSALEXUS?) messaged me with interest in another hike out to the Goat Canyon railroad trestle on the 17th of November. Those who are interested in coming along should mark that day on the calendar.

You'll want to be in somewhat decent shape for this hike. Boulder scrambling, steep hillsides, dry rocky waterfalls, and beautiful views await. There is an excellent description of this hike in Jerry Schad's book, Afoot and Afield in San Diego County.

Here's a link to my last trip out there and should give you a good idea on what to expect: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2408&hilit=goat+canyon

Date: Saturday, the 17th

Meeting Time: 6:00 am

Meeting place: Steve's house in Alpine (I will PM address)

Suggested Gear:

-water & food
-hiking boots
-appropriate clothing
-hat
-sunblock
-gloves
-first aid kit
-flashlight
-camera
-backpack
-GPS

On The List:

THATSALEXUS? - Steve plus 1 or 2 possible guests
BorregoWrangler - John

[THATSALEXUS?]

Let's do Saturday, the 17th and we can meet at my house 6:00 if that works. John or I will PM anyone that wants to come out with us my address. Cricket, cricket... Come on guys, you'll be glad you did

[BorregoWrangler]

Let's do Saturday, the 17th and we can meet at my house 6:00 if that works. John or I will PM anyone that wants to come out with us my address. Cricket, cricket... Come on guys, you'll be glad you did

Sounds good, Steve. I also updated the first post with the date. Lookin' forward to getting out there again!

[BorregoWrangler]

Just a few more days to go! I was really sick for over a week and afraid I wasn't going to make this trip. So happy I've been feeling better! On the return trip I'm thinking about mixing it up a bit with some interesting sights and cutting through where the old railroad workers camp is. We can also check out the village site and rock art pictographs at Indian Hill. For those who haven't been there yet it would be a great addition to the hike.

I just hiked up Cowles Mountain this morning in preparation for this. The views out west where very hazy but looking east I could see all the way to Santa Rosa Mountain and Toro Peak. Lookin' forward to this weekend!

[BorregoWrangler]

***Trip Complete***

The Carrizo Gorge at the southern edge of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a spectacular chasm and home to the Goat Canyon railroad trestle. Two hundred feet tall and 750 feet long, it's the tallest curved wooden trestle ever built in the world.

The construction of the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad began during World War I in the steep-walled Carrizo Gorge near the town of Jacumba. Many people were convinced at the time that it couldn't be done, but John D. Spreckels didn't rest until the "impossible track" was completed in November, 1919, at a cost of $18 million. The Goat Canyon trestle was built in 1932 after an earthquake collapsed one of the tunnels.

Heading east along I-8.


Nearing the desert town of Ocotillo.


A portion of desert not ruined by the Ocotillo Express wind farm.


The area was busy with construction.




Montero Palms Oasis.






A bit of boulder scrambling above the palms.


Looking back towards where we came.


Still climbing...


We found Native American morteros below and above the palms.






Steve and his brother-in-law, at the top of the first ridge.


First glimpse of the trestle.


Working our way down the dry waterfalls.










Don't fall!


Steve was feeling adventurous.


King of the world... or wreck.


Looking back towards the trestle.


Carrizo Gorge snakes its way below us.






We make our way into a valley that contains various remnants of the railroad construction work.




Looks like a fixer-upper!


The old railroad workers camp.


Here's a picture of the railroad worker's camp from the Horace Parker's Anza/Borrego Desert Guide Book, 1964 Edition. I think it's fun to recreate the photos in old books in order to see the changes over time.






We passed Indian Hill on the way back but didn't look for the Indian village site since we were feeling tired and it was getting late. We piled in my Jeep and made our way back to where we had left Steve's 4runner at the trail head. It was a great hike and I hope I don't let another two years go by before I head out there again.

[THATSALEXUS?]

What can I say other than that this was another great hike with great company... I gotta admit, I was pretty worn out by the time we got home, but a long hot shower and a good night's rest, and I'm good as new
Here are a few of my pics:

[BorregoWrangler]

Cool photos, Steve! I had a great time. Thanks for getting this started.

I would also like to hike out to Sombrero Peak soon. http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.as ... HGS043-238

[THATSALEXUS?]

I'd be up for that. Here's another link with a slideshow. This is the app was I was using for our hike:

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1434089

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Great Pics guys! I would have loved to have joined you John. But I'm still recovering from a low back injury. So I can't see myself scrambling over rocks. I'm very upset seeing the pics of the wind farm generators! They have Destroyed the natural desert landscape beauty! One hidden natural gas powered electric plant, on a very small footprint, could eliminate far more than just those windmills! UG!......

[BorregoWrangler]

Great Pics guys! I would have loved to have joined you John. But I'm still recovering from a low back injury. So I can't see myself scrambling over rocks. I'm very upset seeing the pics of the wind farm generators! They have Destroyed the natural desert landscape beauty! One hidden natural gas powered electric plant, on a very small footprint, could eliminate far more than just those windmills! UG!......

Thanks Mark! I hope you feel better soon. Keep an eye open on here and you should see another post for my next hike.