Goat Canyon Trestle Hike Guide

[@Vmonroy78]

I did this hike 4 times and 1 time vía mortero palms. On one of those times I did it alone, went 23.6 miles round trip…I did the seven sisters trestles, saw a snake in one of the tunnels, also saw some military choppers overhead. Funny thing is that if you’re small like me you can actually go through the small opening at tunnel 8 which gives you a lot of shade if it’s getting hot. It is also quite long. It was a great experience when I went alone because I wondered passed the main trestle to the others ahead and saw more derailed wagons along the way…watching your video reminded me of how great this hike is. Oh and I parked at the resort and yes a few people walk around naked 😳, most older people…parking there is only $9 per person when I went which is cool, better than getting a ticket 😀

[@julianjaimes197]

Lol is your profile picture the trestle?

[@erich4112]

143 is the call/star # for the Border Patrol Agent that passed at that location. He succumbed to heat related illness about 16 years ago. 143 has been retired, and can no longer be used by other Boulevard agents

[@j.frankparnell4560]

Just did this hike on March 9, 2024 so here's a quick update. Parking as shown in the video is now blocked by old railroad ties. We parked at the resort. It was only $5 per person and well worth it. Be advised though, the office at the resort doesn't open until 9AM and you can't get in the gate until the office opens, so if you're wanting to start the hike earlier, then you'll have to find parking on your own. We had no issues on the route, nothing to update there. 7.8 miles one way, just shy of 40,000 steps per iPhone. 3 1/2 hours each way.

[@Hikingguy]

Good to know, thanks for posting. Were the ties movable?

[@joshtfilms]

Hey about to do this hike. How did you get on this trail from the resort? And did you tell them you were going on this trail?

[@xxxgrow]

Did the hike today and the ties are not there. Parked right where you said in the guide.

[@Hikingguy]

@@xxxgrow Good to know thank you

[@TheActiveAssault]

Another Marine and I did this trail a few years ago. Parked in Los Cabezas at the trailhead and went over the hill. This is the more difficult path. Recommend you pack light and bring enough water. We were surprised to run into some minor climbing; challenging because we had rifles and large packs. We walked the tracks all the way around on the return trip. Started early and didn’t get back to the Jeep until just before sunset. There was an ammo can geocache in the trestle tunnel. 1. Bring an off road vehicle if you plan to embark from the trailhead and go over the hill. We had to pull a guy in a 4x2 out. 2. Bring a buddy if you’re going over. 3. Overkill but we had a lensatic compass, map, and Garmin Foretrex.

[@Bosco-gets-it-right]

10:41 is a railroad telephone "shack", there is one on display at the Campo Railroad museum...

[@Hikingguy]

nice thank you!

[@kentm1701]

Just did this hike last week(Sept. 2021) The temperature was 95 to 100 degrees!! It was still worth it! Barely made it on 3 litres of water. The bypass around Tunnel 8 is very long and boy was it hot! According to my Iphone it was 16.1 miles out and back from the parking lot just before the nudist colony. I'm thinking of doing it again but at another time of year. September was way too hot!

[@Hikingguy]

Oh man - can't believe you did it in Sept, yea, it's really hot then, that was hardcore. The sweet spot for this one is Jan/Feb, and even then it can get hot. 👍

[@paulbarajas5218]

Thank you posting! Doing research as we will running it on Dec 2023 as part of our training!

[@williamschoemann4209]

I enjoyed your video. We hiked it back in the seventies, just after the rail was washed out. I'm surprised you went down and back. We parked our vehicles and camping gear at Dos Cabezas, then drove in one car up to the top. It's a great hike, and deserves to be followed by camaraderie around the campfire at Dos Cabezas. Keep up the adventures.

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, yea, I've never overnighted around there but at some point I'd love to. Such a beautiful area. Looking forward to exploring more when temps go down this winter.

[@concerned1313]

I have seen other videos on this hike and you served justice to the hike. I have no desire to do this one, thank you for the great information video Cris!

[@Hikingguy]

Ha thank you! 👍 Yea, trying to make it all straightforward and let folks understand the complexities of this route.

[@iamapigeyedtraitorthatisin1319]

I went here yesterday and it snowed and we just got to the first train wagons about a mile in and had to return, lol.

[@lynettezeckua7779]

Great information! Thank you.

[@JacoZawinul]

Thanks for the work doing this.

[@Kemrer]

Thank you Your knowledge of the area is impressive.

[@williammummert645]

thanks for sharing, wish i was younger

[@soniaynclan9079]

Hi, I'm so grateful for your video! My head was hurting from trying to figure out how to get there. Because I live in the Imperial Valley the map keeps sending me to Dos cabezas but kept wondering if I could get there starting from the Jacumba Shell. But the map says it takes 1 day walking 😂

[@andresarevalojr7086]

Wow, amazing hike.

[@gregoryemmanuel9168]

How very interesting, I didn’t know about this. Thank you for sharing 👣🙏🏼

[@Hikingguy]

You are so welcome 👍👍👍 it's a cool one!

[@cameronlofte3386]

143 is a code for "I love you", referring to the letters in each word

[@erich4112]

Not a bad guess, but see above/newest comment.

[@dontthroworanges]

Great video! I did this hike with some friends back in 2006 and I'm really disappointed about how much graffiti there is on the trail now. Seems like a lot has changed. There were some different passenger cars being stored around the first mile as well as all of the tunnels being open. Also, when we went you could tell that someone was actively working on the railroad as there was a lot of new equipment around and the rails weren't all rusted. Anyway, thanks!

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, yea, I think right now the whole thing is in limbo. A company was supposed to lease it and refurbish it, running a train from Plaster City to Mexico and beyond, but they missed their lease payment to San Diego MTS, so not sure what's going on re:the repairs and stuff now.

[@dragonlo6514]

Thanks for putting this back on my radar. I saw a video a while back for this hike.

[@Hikingguy]

👍👍 Yea, it's still cool enough to do it, really beautiful down there.

[@stillbobrb9]

Huell Houser did a California Gold show on this San Diego to Arizona branch. I don’t remember if he made it out to goat canyon. He rode in a railroad maintenance car and he rode with company officials.

[@richardromero1797]

I saw the episode where Huel Howser was at the trestle. That was when I became aware of this place. I've been wanting to go there ever since.

[@debbiefox8213]

I have a question about one piece of information that you provided regarding this hike on your website: "Here's a section of trail that's probably 8 inches across, with a 150 foot drop down to the right. Do what is comfortable for you based on your experience level, but don't dive-bomb this route on your first try. Some mistakes could lead to a certain bad time." I believe this is a section that routes you around a closed tunnel. Do you recall how long this very narrow stretch is or how steep the 150 foot drop-off is?

[@Hikingguy]

It's maybe 20 feet and not too bad. People do it on bikes, walking is fine, just pay attention to your footing.

[@michaelcarr3037]

Ya never did it that way or from the bottom did it six times over the top from doscabeso spring

[@rogerNKWYNNVIDS]

Great video. Heres a comment for your algorithm.

[@rachelisethel]

How's the reception out there 😂 we're going in a few days and I'm a bit nervous!

[@Hikingguy]

Don't think the phone reception is that great but generally other hikers and bikers on the trail

[@rkm31260812]

There is an old song called engine 143 how about a train crash and the death of the engineer. Maybe The cross is a reference to that

[@amarshah3712]

Can you 4x4 most of the way? want to take small kids to check this out.

[@Hikingguy]

Not really unfortunately

[@wadeburghardt]

Does anyone know where the underground bunker is? It's to the west of the entrance to one of the tunnels. Two grey hatches.

[@randomutubr222]

Great video. My buddy and I are planning on doing this, and this was an excellent primer.

[@Hikingguy]

Cool cool glad the video was helpful! 👍

[@melperry3576]

are you going to do the hike in from montero?

[@Hikingguy]

I might in the future. I decided against it initially because I think it may be a little too "bushwhacky" for most folks and I don't want to create a guide that gets people into a confusing situation out there.

[@lacanuck1]

Great video. Good information. I will never do it but love this trestle. Is it in really bad condition? I had hoped they would reopen it. Doubtful now.

[@Hikingguy]

Nah it's actually in pretty good condition considering. I'm pretty sure they could still get a massive train across it. Just some loose and decayed rails here and there.

[@petercaupc]

How long is the hike in total? Im thinking of doing this hike in a few weeks,and I was wondering if I should bring a tent and have a overnight enjoying everything depending on how long the hike is,or not?

[@Hikingguy]

Check the link in the description for distance and details. I never overnighted but it could be fun, but there's lots of traffic from hikers / bikers

[@iamapigeyedtraitorthatisin1319]

Wait so this hike is outlawed? Why? I was thinking about going there next week.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Someone needs to open up all the damn tunnels! I did this hike back in 2011 when there was no graffiti on the train cars and all the tunnels were open. Ridiculous that some of the tunnels are gated shut and locked. The railroad is a failure - always has been and always will be. And it always gets mired in scandal whenever somebody new buys it and tries to make a go of it.Trains are never going to run on it. The railroad needs to be opened up to hikers and bikers once and for all.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, I wish they would just make this a rails to trails project as well. It would probably get a decent amount of press since it's so spectacular, and might even give tourism to the area a boost.

[@AbandonedMines11]

@@Hikingguy Any idea why they are keeping some of the tunnels locked? I’m just curious as to why they are locked. Are there collapses that have occurred inside or what? I haven’t been able to find any information about that. When I did the hike, we took the route you took and started at the nudist resort. I’ve always wanted to hike the other end where you start at Dos Cabezas and approach the trestle from that direction. I think that route is a mile or two shorter. Really enjoy your channel with all the hikes you featured - it’s a great resource!

[@Hikingguy]

@@AbandonedMines11 Yea I think it's probably just a safety / liability issue with closing the tunnels. Over the years some of the entrances have had rockslides close them up. And the Dos Cabezas route is fun but more of an overland route than a "trail trail" - I opted not to include it because I thought folks who don't have a good level of experience might have trouble, even with the guide. But the route along the tracks is easy as long as you have the fitness and stay out of the heat. 👍👍

[@shinysmileceecee]

I’m only 8 minutes in and it seems like a pretty chill hike besides the walking on the train tracks! Would you say it’s considered a difficult trail because of the train track walking?? When I think of difficult I think of steep long hills!

[@Hikingguy]

There are no big climbs but it's very long and in harsh conditions, which is why I have it listed as hard. If you are used to the distance and it's not too hot, the hike is pretty straightforward.

[@shinysmileceecee]

@@Hikingguy thanks soo much for responding!!! 🤗

[@MadCatMaddie]

Great hike! Great video! By the way did u get permission to hike this trail or were u a criminal for the day?

[@Hikingguy]

Ha... I can't confirm or deny that I was actually there....

[@MadCatMaddie]

@@Hikingguy Haha! Good one!

[@farmerfran3609]

Hey! Is there a point of contact you have to get permission to hike? Or is it the legality something that’s overlooked?

[@Hikingguy]

It's overlooked - I haven't heard of anyone getting in trouble in years but it's an FYI that it's possible

[@farmerfran3609]

@@Hikingguy thanks so much dude!

[@1989stone]

Have you done this hike from the north route?

[@Hikingguy]

Yes but didn't find it as nice as this route

[@1989stone]

I just did it a couple days ago and I’d have to agree with you!

[@hellochii1675]

Hi, thanks for sharing it. We are hiking amateurs, do you have an easy route that you would suggest? Is there a hiking route that the hike time is less than 3 hours (2-3 hours) to get to Goat Canyon Trestle?

[@Hikingguy]

As an amateur this is your best bet. The other approaches require some more advanced navigation.

[@jillhall4231]

Out of curiosity, what might be the penalty if one chose to do this hike and was found on private property? (I understand that it was posted for informational purposes only).

[@Hikingguy]

I've heard $400 ticket but I've not confirmed that with anyone in real life. The website for the railroad police that used to patrol the area is no longer live.

[@Bluecollarfatbob]

What’s the easiest way to get there? As far as driving/ where to park?

[@Hikingguy]

Check out the link in the description

[@jessicakelley9896]

143 = I love you If no one commented already From the days of pagers

[@ma2566]

Could one climb over the barrier at tunnel 8 if they were gritty enough?

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, sure, but would be a lot of work.

[@ma2566]

@@Hikingguy more work than just going around. If they wanted to explore the tunnel they could just go in from the other side

[@barrygreenstein2816]

Where did you actually park your car can you give the name of the location thanks

[@Hikingguy]

Check out the link in the description

[@christinerolle3876]

Interesting.thanks for sharing.then it be be off my list then since its illegal. Thanks for the heads up.

[@nicko365]

What’s was your round trip time?

[@Hikingguy]

check the link in the description

[@dotcatcatalog5116]

cool

[@PeterBaumgart1a]

"No nails" doesn't mean no fasteners! They used screws.

[@alisonleaman333]

How much danger from snakes etc..?

[@Hikingguy]

if you watch where you step, no problem

[@FFGuy-eu7hr]

Who owns this now?

[@emiliabaltazzar8150]

11:05 did you hear the giggle 🤭

[@billbright1755]

That country is so alien to me like Mars or some strange planet. All that incredible work to just abandon.

[@CharlesHess]

Thee trestle.

[@trainguy7261]

This is the last know video of a train going over this line. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmeZoZl_asuop7s

[@iFriendofYours]

Irrelevant but noteworthy is the resort no longer is nudist. It was sold to “hippies” in the last year or so. It does have accommodations.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

I fear those cholla Cactus.

[@Hikingguy]

Oh yea, I almost always find a barb stuck to me when I'm in cholla country...

[@JH-mt3pp]

" You are not allowed to do this hike legally". That crosses it off of my list but I enjoyed the video. By the way...the cross could be the last illegal hiker ? LOL

[@Hikingguy]

lol.. yea, it is a tough part of the country down there! And yea, the hike is not for everyone, part of why I wanted to cover this one is to share the beauty with folks who don't want to head out there. My hope is that the latest rail venture falls through and it becomes some kind of rail-trail but it might just be too rugged / dangerous out there

[@drgw4883]

10:30 that’s a telephone booth

[@Hikingguy]

Ahh, thank you! 👍

[@TheRancher03]

Yes, the railroads had octagonal concrete telephone booths

[@markjohnson9495]

Lol did you say a side trail went to a nudist resort? 🤣

[@Hikingguy]

Ha yea, it's true -- www.deanzasprings.com

[@Vmonroy78]

Yup and I can attest to that, older men and women walking around naked with no care 😳🫣 I just turned away as I drove and walked

[@HLS6935]

I’m guessing you would need to watch for rattlesnakes.

[@Hikingguy]

pretty much anywhere in the SW

[@AZGT350]

P

[@cvnate619ify]

What comedian does this sound like???????