Goat Canyon Trestle: Tough Desert Hike to the World's Largest Wooden Trestle

In this video we travel deep into the heart of Anza Borrego's dramatic landscape to explore the hidden gem known as Goat Canyon Trestle, a true feat of engineering nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the desert. The hike to the trestle is not for the faint of heart. It is a tough climb up a mountain and then a scramble down the other side to reach this iconic structure. Don't do it in the heat of the summer as there is no shade and it would be very easy to get heat stroke on an adventure like this. Let me know what you think about this adventure in the comments.
Chris Channel - ‪@TheLastAdventurer‬
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[@blueskymut]

We did this yesterday. We had 4 kids under 12 with us. Actually very doable if you’re in decent shape. The last 1/4 mile is a little sketchy in spots. If you fear heights this section will test you. We followed the rails back down to the bottom to experience the tunnels and smaller trestles, though it lengthened the hike to 13 miles. Great day! Get out there!

[@miriammitchell9677]

Tampa in the house! Thank you for taking time to share your adventures. You, Pops, and Amy have helped me with my bucket list.

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem! So glad we could be of help!

[@deisygonzales5980]

Thank you for all the videos. I appreciate your sacrifice for this one.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Glad you like them! No problem 😄

[@nodniv1317]

We used to hike out there in the 70’s-boulder rolling was fun. Tunnels were accessible then-rail repair car down below-still there🤔? Good old days👍

[@popshiking]

That hike you guys did was pretty unbelievable! You guys are beasts!

[@travelertrome8449]

Wow. Seriously, through most of this video I did not see a trail. I would get lost if I attempted this. You guys are hardcore hikers. Not for the casual like me. Thanks for taking us on this journey the safest way....through your channel!

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

One must follow the "draw" of the wash. Not to difficult. Until you hit a "waterfall" anyway.

[@kplante7881]

Great video. Awesome views. Thanks for sharing…!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for watching!

[@matoscsilla9384]

Whoooo😍well done!!

[@atravelpath]

What a hardcore hike. You guys are brave to walk on top of it!

[@EdgeOfNowhere2024]

Thanks for the video .

[@californiathroughmylens]

You bet!

[@rypatmackrock]

I dream of Some day, over seeing the renovation of that route; let alone the Campo museum access. It does seem pretty rickety, yet I never doubted that modern standards could do a basic renovation of that route; in addition to strengthening the trestle. Otherwise, I will definitely plan on making that hike myself in the future.

[@kayleebeare]

This was so cool! Thanks for sharing with us Josh.

[@taylourunzicker2776]

Great find, that appears to be a rosy boa! An amazing snake.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Good to know, thanks for sharing!

[@masudkarim_dipu]

I have doubts that any snake can be amazing!!

[@taylourunzicker2776]

@@masudkarim_dipu harmless little boa constrictor. Snakes are a worthy part of our ecosystem keeping things like rodents in check. I see how we fear venomous snakes, but these little guys are amazing!

[@sme91158]

​@@masudkarim_dipu All snakes are great and amazing.

[@eklectiktoni]

Or a rubber boa. But definitely in the boa family. Such a cutie.

[@LindaSolis-b9s]

Oh wow- nope lol. I'm glad you filmed it so I could watch, but I'll take the easier trails in Anza Borrego. Beautiful scenery! 🙂

[@californiathroughmylens]

Fair enough, this is a really challenging hike for sure

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

Thats crazy that such a unique creation can’t really be seen and appreciated by most. Out in the middle of nowhere. Thank you for putting in the work to share it with us

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem! Yea, the "easy" way is still like 15 miles

[@lornahardin4563]

Hey thanks for taking me, not on your life could I ever do it, even when I was young. It is an awesome feat of engineering.

[@surfdogdude]

My wife and I did this around 25 years ago and we did the train track route. It was a tough trek also and she lost two toe nails from the abuse of walking over the train ties for many miles. It was worth it, however.

[@Okguy1_Music]

a few people just built a go-kart to go see it haha

[@teamorozuk6819]

“…November in the winter…” is a misnomer. Winter begins in the third week in December.

[@k1k2lee]

You went the difficult way,easy hike I done it on my bicycle went through 14 Tunnels 2 of which were closed had it all to myself,7 smaller trestles across the Canyon, cool hike do it in Winter. Guys should of parked over by the nudist resort,it’s all flat shade in the tunnels. That a crap way to go No way

[@TheLastAdventurer]

We like to suffer

[@californiathroughmylens]

Would be fun to do that on a bike for sure

[@mystikrebel1089]

Me just coming in from the freezing windy cold grey weather here in london to watch the beautiful sunny landscape in CA hehe.Whats even more funny im often seeing people here daily wearing hoodies with California especially Los Angeles on them

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha the Californians are invading! I would love to explore London, I have only been once, a LONG time ago

[@rolfathan]

Other reason to wear long pants on this hike: Ticks! I went there once in February, and I found some ticks on me. I was a bit surprised.

[@masudkarim_dipu]

How big was the snake? I hate snakes

[@TheLastAdventurer]

It was at least 1.5 feet long Indy.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Maybe like a foot or two

[@ivanhamlyn]

That's 6 miles in and out??

[@officialfumofeltingchannel1490]

Bro played Death Stranding irl wtf

[@californiathroughmylens]

😂😂😂

[@rudycortez2565]

That's me walking the bridge 😂😂 it was a crazy adventure for sure 💯💯💯

[@TheLastAdventurer]

Nice! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha really? That is awesome!

[@rudycortez2565]

@@californiathroughmylens Yeah, it was in November and we were the first ones to arrive and later more people started showing up. Awesome Adventure 💯

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Much as I love exploring Anza Borrego, I’m leaving that one to you! Thanks for making it easy.

[@cjpham6614]

Yeah, if I'm going there. I'm definitely taking the trespassing route lol.

[@WhatISee1]

Much respect! That is a very difficult hike, but worth the reward. Always enjoy your videos. Inspiring. Please keep them coming.

[@noahcorreiaphotography]

I only recommend experience hikers doing this one. Also, follow the train tracks, don't take the canyon trailhead! I wasted so much time trying to get down that canyon.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I've never heard you so out of breath. I'm glad I passed on this when in the park haha. It looks cool, but seems brutal. Definitely hiking boots kind of place.

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha yea it is a really tough one haha

[@richwilsey2881]

Easy walk,done it several times in the 90,s,the whole thing,seen senior citizens do to,no big deal,just a long walk!

[@ozzy_fromhell]

How funny I was going to to this just yesterday but I ended up going to Torrey pines with my gf

[@TheLastAdventurer]

I bet Torrey was way more relaxing.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Torrey is def a lot more fun haha

[@C-TOS]

I am impressed on your offroad sense of direction.

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha This was my second time, so I remembered it a little. First was tough

[@TheLastAdventurer]

@@californiathroughmylens I believe you got stuck the first time. :D

[@randallharris3667]

That bridge is located north of Jacumba California. I would not go there today. I'm sure if you went to visit those trains you'll find migrant sleeping inside of them.

[@BlackPhoenix424]

Thanks man for highlighting the Desert View Tower. As a native of SD its always great when someone talks about it. I went one time on the way back from an Arizona vacation and it was an enjoyable time that afternoon.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Yea it is a really unique spot, I always try to stop if I can

[@2011woodlands]

Take your wife & kids to the San Diego Railroad Museum, there are two replicas of the trestle bridge in HO scale & N.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Great suggestion, will have to do that!

[@joecampo1770]

Technically speaking, I think it’s the largest curved wooden railroad Trestle in the world, the keyword here is curved. great video. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good content. Also make sure to bring salt tabs and electrolytes on this adventure. It gets awfully warm out there and you lose a lot of salt.

[@brianvirgin2995]

Wonderful. Shades of my youth. I met my wife in the desert in Ca, before we moved away. But we have spent quite a bit of time there.

[@mikesskyranch]

We used to ride down that on our mountain bikes, all the way down to the desert…

[@californiathroughmylens]

That must have been an adventure

[@TheAsif5182]

its out context just a question ! do far i know that every word which starts with A,E,I,O,U will be with( an) like an elephant an umbrella an apple an intelligent person etc but when u said an hour !? that made me surprise and push me to ask a question ? is an hour is grammatically right ?

[@scotmartin4633]

@100peaks is correct, being on the trestle is trespassing, and drones are prohibited in ABDSP.

[@rediryou]

I don't doubt that it's quite a hike and it's always a good idea to warn people but just imagine the men that built that thing.

[@funkylaneo]

The snake was a Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata) they are non-venomous and usually quite docile.

[@j1mbOZ31]

Is overnight camping okay? Would like to hike up in the evening and stay the night and hike out in the morning

[@HQR97]

You just needed to go along the train tracks and you would arrive faster and safer, my friends do it on bicycles

[@lisaw9741]

So the tracks are no longer used? How long did it take round trip?

[@roquetan9965]

Thank you!❤

[@sme91158]

Those structures look familiar, like I might have seen that area in a Steve McQueen western filmed in the 1960s. I could be wrong.

[@TheLastAdventurer]

There's a lot of lore about the area, including that of UFO sightings during the construction, but I don't believe it was filmed for a movie, but let us know if you learn the title.

[@californiathroughmylens]

That would be awesome if there was an old movie filmed here

[@sme91158]

@@TheLastAdventurer I think it might have been a movie called "Nevada Smith" from 1966.

[@luzmariagomez359]

Thank you for sharing. This trip is already on my calendar however was hesitant of taking my German Shepard. This truly helps😊

[@TheLastAdventurer]

I would not call this a dog friendly hike. It is a KZbinr unfriendly hike :D

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha yea this is a tough one and going this way would be hard for dogs for sure

[@lopezexplora]

Awesome adventure!!

[@JasmineApple]

That's crazy! For sure, I won't be doing that hike! Glad I got to see if from you, though! Good video!

[@randyj6245]

that was fun. Better in a rail car if you dare! lol

[@californiathroughmylens]

That would be an epic way to do it

[@chrisignacio1791]

I’ve hiked this trail the illegal way and it’s well worth it .

[@californiathroughmylens]

It would be fun to hike along the tracks I am sure!

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

Dark colors are good when it's cold out. When it's warm... they absorb the heat from the sun. Nice job guys.

[@Twobarpsi]

Simply incredible!!

[@roncross1945]

Thank you, thank you! Since you made the hike and shared this video I don’t have to make the hike. I would love to see that trestle but the remoteness is a challenge.

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Wow Josh! That was insane! Glad you made it! 🚶🏽‍♂️😀

[@BreakThroughTessTimmons]

Wow

[@west.coast.hiking]

We have Kinsol Trestle not far from our place. Canada's largest I believe. We have tonnes of Trestles here on Vancouver Island. As well if you are ever near Kelowna BC you need to rent a bike and ride Myra Canyon. 18 Trestles and 2 tunnels.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Sounds amazing, thanks for the suggestion! I was in Vancouver last year but would love to visit Vancouver Island

[@west.coast.hiking]

​@@californiathroughmylensdefinitely plan a Vancouver Island Trip ! Lots to do and see here.

[@shearwater8732]

Thanks for doing this hike for me!!! It's actually a beautiful bridge. I would love to see it. Do you think the hikers you saw going back a different direction, were on an easier route? Love to know And you adventures and video's are great! I've shared with lots of friends, on and off the trails.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Yea, the main way people do it is via a 15 mile round trip hike along the train tracks. It is remote so there is not really any closer way to access it. Thanks for sharing my videos!

[@carbob9964]

I remember watching a documentary on this bridge! Very historical because they were able to achieve a curve out of wood! Train sparks risked fire because the entire thing was wooden lol

[@californiathroughmylens]

Oh wow, I would love to see that! Yea it is crazy it is still standing

[@TheAsif5182]

thanks josh for your efforts to feed my soul everytime . and i always miss your dad he is always an eye candy for your video .he is actual charm of your video . may Allah bless him .

[@californiathroughmylens]

So glad you enjoy the videos!

[@violetbf3773]

This is definitely a hike I would never, ever do. But I’m glad I got to see it through your lens 😁🙌🏽

[@californiathroughmylens]

haha fair enough, it is a brutal one

[@IMJAFO2]

Seeing the Wooden Trestle reminded me of the movie, "The Bridge on the River Kwai".

[@californiathroughmylens]

I watched that movie with my dad back in the day!

[@kellyjohnson3617]

Thanks for sharing this adventure cuz torture my knees would never support me on that kind of trail. But a very cool bit or architecture in the wilderness.

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem, yea it is a tough one for sure haha

[@TheLastAdventurer]

Don't do the hike if you value your cartilage!

[@100Peaks]

Hey Justin, I believe that A) Walking on the trestle itself is trespassing, and B) Drones are forbidden in Anza-Borrego. Great to see you two, and I like Chris’s Hiker Chat shirt. My daughter and I backpacked nearby last year. A gorgeous area.

[@user-gq2vn1xj2r]

Get back to hall monitor duty.

[@TheLastAdventurer]

Hello Sir. That shirt is a 2010 classic. I believe that while you are technically correct about the "trespassing" aspect, I would analogize short distance (5-10 feet) walking on the trestle as akin to going 57 mph in a 55 zone. I would be more concerned regarding personal safety for people which Josh covers. ;)

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for letting me know, I will look into both of those

[@100Peaks]

Gotcha, I just worry that people walking along the bridge will ultimately lead to the whole area being closed at some point. Someone may get hurt going for the IG shot and that will be the end of it. And especially, someone with 275k viewers might be unwittingly encouraging people to walk the length of the bridge. :) @@TheLastAdventurer

[@donaldappelhof2059]

It’s illegal to trespass because if you get hurt that’s you’re fault.

[@canaanjh]

I think it was a Rosy Boa. Cool

[@californiathroughmylens]

That's awesome, thanks for point it out!