DESTINATION Generic 67 Photosets
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| Indian Hill to Goat Canyon Trestle, CA | |
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| | Indian Hill to Goat Canyon Trestle, CA | | | |
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Indian Hill to Goat Canyon Trestle, CA
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| Hiking | 11.60 Miles |
1,271 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.60 Miles | 3 Hrs 30 Mns | | 3.31 mph |
| 1,271 ft AEG | | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | After failing at my attempt to traverse the mountain from Mortero Palms directly into Goat Canyon, I decided to try Plan B. While the scrambling route over the hill proved to be much slower than I had planned, I knew that I'd be able to cruise at 3+ mph on the railroad grade. Unfortunately, I was unaware that the old road around Indian Hill was long closed, and added nearly 2 miles to my planned route. So instead of a 7 mile round trip, I was no looking at 11 miles. And it was already 3pm. Oh well, I loaded up on water and snacks, parked next to an immigrant watering station (I figure there's no reason to break into my truck if there's plenty of water and a bag of beef jerky right next to it!), and took off at a good pace for the railroad.
This area is truly beautiful. The ocotillo forest is fully abloom and the afternoon sun was tolerable. The rugged, rounded rocks are very picturesque. Unfortunately, the old road is like walking on the beach. Slow and very difficult. After the first mile though, the ground firmed and my pace quickened. The old road connects to the railroad just as it comes out of a tunnel to the north. Far down in the canyon below you can spot Carrizo Palms.
There is a well used path on the outside of the tracks making hiking quite easy. The railroad grade increases in elevation, though I never realized it until looking back down to where I had come from. It appears that many visitors using this route ride mountain bikes, an option which I might recommend for anybody who wants to shave some time off their trip. Hiking on train tracks isn't that exciting after all, unless you are into the history of it all. All kinds of remnants of the building of the track remain, and it seems every piece of steel has a date on it. It helps you see when things were originally built, and when they might have been rebuilt or repaired.
Shortly after the first tunnel, you round a corner opening up views of Carrizo Canyon, and the Goat Canyon Trestle in the distance. From here, the tracks cross numerous smaller trestles and three more tunnels while winding it's way along the mountainside before reaching Goat Canyon. There's a fifth tunnel just beyond the trestle as well. All the tunnels are short enough to hike without the need for light, though one of them was a little bit dark in the middle.
The construction of both the trestles and the tunnels are truly amazing to see. I kept considering the economics involved in building this "Impossible Railroad" and wondering how it ever made sense financially. Alas, I am not a railroader!
Along some of the lower trestles, there are two derailed boxcars laying several hundred feet downhill of the track. I can only imagine how they came to get derailed; but more intriguing is how they managed to stop before reaching the bottom of this very steep canyon slope!
Upon finally reaching the Goat Canyon Trestle, (5.2 miles in 1:35) I realized I would have plenty of light for a non-hurried return trip. I crossed the trestle along the tracks, and took a break to snack on the other side. While returning, I noticed that there was a catwalk across the trestle down below the tracks! I found my way down under the start and immediately realized that my pack would have to be left behind. There were some ducks and tight squeezes ahead of me.
I had to climb two ladders that were sketchy, but seemed ok. Another ladder that lead all the way to the bottom of the trestle was an absolute no-go  . The main structure of the trestle appeared to be in good shape, but the catwalk was rickety and in some disrepair. Occasionally there were pieces of an old hand rail, but often there was not. The footboards were loose, split and splintered. It made for the highlight of the trip! Check out the video here:
http://youtu.be/UojhxkfMJw4
In retrospect, I wish I had taken a few minutes to hike up Goat Canyon to get a view from above, but I'll save that for when I make this trip via the Goat Canyon route over the mountain from Mortero Palms.
I headed back along the tracks the way I came. The lighting was nicer, but the return was pretty boring otherwise. On the drive out I passed two other hikers who had been out all day, and offered them a lift back to their car at the Dos Cabezas tower. Apparently they were not used to driving in the back of a pickup on dirt roads ... and I was even on my best behavior!
I enjoyed a few minutes amongst the wind turbines as the sun set over the desert. They are amazingly large, and make the coolest noise as the wind whips through them. (20 sec. video here: http://youtu.be/znci8GcUylQ)
I had an unsatisfying dinner in Yuma and managed to be home by 11pm. Plans to return here are already in the works!  |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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