Outdoor Adventure USA

Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle Hike: November 22nd, 2014
Steve and I are planning on our annual hike to the Goat Canyon railroad trestle in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. I consider this to be the best hike in San Diego county. Its an adventure! The Mortero Palms trail head is located here: 32.720187, -116.146669

This hike involves scrambling and some bouldering with 3 miles of tough terrain and some substantial ascents and descents. Anyone participating should be physically and mentally prepared for a full day's hike.

UPDATED:

Date: 11-22-2014
Meeting Time: 7:30 - 8:00AM
Meeting Location: We will be meeting right off the highway since we'll need to set up a shuttle arrangement between the trail head and where the hike ends. At a sign for Mortero Wash, turn south off Highway S2 about 0.2 miles west of mile post 56. This point is 8 miles northwest of Ocotillo at Interstate 8. Mortero Palms trail head is here. (32.720187, -116.146669)

John

Put me down as a tentative for now. I think I am physically up for the hike.

Your timing here is interesting. As you know, the RR has been more aggressive in recent years about discouraging and citing trespassers who use the tracks to hike to the trestle. Well, apparently that has changed. The Anza Borrego Natural History Association, or one of it's members, obtained permission from the RR to hike the tracks to the Goat Trestle on November 1 (and maybe 2), 2014. Of course, you have to join the Association and it costs $18.00 for the 14 mile hike.
From what I gather, this is permission limited to the ABDNHA, for these days only.

Just call me an outlaw, Dave!

We hike a small portion of the tracks on the way back and then cut back into a valley where you can check out the construction camp ruins from the early 1900's. There's also a bunch of native American artifacts to bee seen along the way.

We usually like to get to the trail head around dawn to start the hike. If the weather cooperates, setting up an overnight camp nearby sounds like a good idea.

I haven't been doing anything too physical myself lately, so in preparation I'll be hiking up Cowles Mtn a couple times a week.

Hopefully you can joins us!

There's some interest in this hike on another forum I posted on. Looks like a few folks would like to plan on an overnighter.

Here is some great info on this hike from another blogger-

Background on the Infamous Goat Canyon Trestle Hike: http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventur ... estle-hike

Mortero Palms to the Goat Canyon Trestle: http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventur ... on-trestle

I'm tentative for now too John. I need to find out what my schedule at my new 'temporary' job over in Scottsdale, AZ is going to be. Will probably be working over there last week of a month/first week of a following month and then 'telecommuting' from our Costa Mesa office the remainder of time to save travel costs. Given Thanksgiving, I don't know what November/December is going to look like yet. I start over there Monday, Oct. 27!

BorregoWrangler wrote:There's some interest in this hike on another forum I posted on. Looks like a few folks would like to plan on an overnighter.

Here is some great info on this hike from another blogger-

Background on the Infamous Goat Canyon Trestle Hike: http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventur ... estle-hike

Mortero Palms to the Goat Canyon Trestle: http://lastadventurer.com/last-adventur ... on-trestle

John

I will not be able to camp overnight. Will that have any effect on the hike?

DaveK wrote:John

I will not be able to camp overnight. Will that have any effect on the hike?

That's fine, Dave. I usually just go out for the day. I don't know yet that I'll be able to stay overnight myself.

Just one week to go!

I've been jogging around the block or hiking up our local mountains everyday after work this week in preparation for this hike. Man I'm out of shape!



Looking forward to this!

John

Any details yet on meeting time, departure time, and location? Also, is anyone in the group running Ham?

DaveK wrote:John

Any details yet on meeting time, departure time, and location? Also, is anyone in the group running Ham?

We are meeting at 7:30AM at the Mortero Palms trail head which is located here: 32.720187, -116.146669

At a sign for Mortero Wash, turn south off Highway S2 about 0.2 miles west of mile post 56. This point is 8 miles northwest of Ocotillo at Interstate 8.

I don't know if anyone else is running ham. I might ride along with Steve out there Saturday morning.