The Century-old Campo Creek Viaduct on Historic Highway 94

When driving down Highway 94 east of Campo, California, one structure stands out more than anything else you will see along the entire road, the Campo Creek Viaduct. Built in 1917 for the San Diego & Arizona Railway, The Impossible Railroad, it has towered over the road for over a century.
The San Diego & Arizona Railway was the dream of John D. Spreckels, who wanted to link San Diego to the east by rail, but the route was said to be impossible due to the mountains and deserts. Construction began in 1906, and despite a world war, a revolution in Mexico, and the Spanish Flu, in 1919 the first trains made it to San Diego.
When it was constructed, the Campo Creek Viaduct was the tallest and most impressive structure on the railway, towering almost 200 feet above the road below.
In this vide we travel to the Campo Creek Viaduct, talk about the railroad's history, search for a road to the top, and when we can't find one, climb up the side of the canyon to see the bridge close up.
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[@TR-wm3sg]

Thanks for taking us with you on this fun adventure. I'm amazed they haven't blocked off the trestle at each end!

[@RoadDogSteve]

I'm glad they haven't. Nice having some history left to view and experience up close for free.....

[@jeffmayle6776]

That’s amazing it’s still standing. Shows the workmanship and engineering that went into it. Love your videos and background on them. We have a bridge similar to it here. The Green county viaduct or Tulip Trestle. Built in 1905-1906by the Indianapolis Southern Railway and its successor The Indianapolis Southern Railroad which then became part of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1911. It’s 2,295ft. long and around 180ft. high. Trains still cross it every day too. Amazing how things stand the test of time.

[@wolfeadventures]

Huel Howser would love this channel.

[@galardmills5306]

Thank you for the reminder of how beautiful East County is. Most of us zoom along I-8 in a trance and never see the peaceful hills and oak trees along the smaller roads.

[@classic.cameras]

I like this guy. Steve looks like a pretty great guy. Thanks Steve and Steve's wife for these videos.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

You're welcome!

[@tommurphy4307]

yeah, steve and mrs, steve- good job! thanks!

[@rolpal619]

I must have gone through under those railroad on HWY94 thousand times on my motorcycle. I never knew the history until now. 😂. Thanks for the history lesson.👌👍

[@charleshaggard4341]

You guys are real troupers. Great scenery but I got weak in the knees looking down from those heights. I love these old bridges that had some of the best engineering in the world. Thanks for the taking us along.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@tommurphy4307]

i guess the ones that weren't have all fallen down by now....

[@charleshaggard4341]

@@tommurphy4307 I see a lot of 100+ year old steel RR bridges still around all over the country.

[@theytoobpromotescommies]

Yet another 14 minutes of greatness from our favorite adventurer. Thanks bud!

[@franciscoflores7911]

Must have been an awesome sight watching a train passing over it being up so high.

[@280zjammer]

That was close to where I once lived. When I was in High School, I volunteered at the Railroad Museum in Campo. Later, I rode the train pulled by a steam engine that was rebuilt for the attraction. They always struggled to keep the railroad intact.

[@mssixty3426]

Well done, as usual! I just love the historical background research you bring to all of your videos. My parents took us kids to museums, forts, National and State Parks on our vacations. We learned so much that way. Your videos are like learning history in the same way, as I relive happy memories.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

My parents did the same for me and my sister. I think it helped a lot with history in school, since I had been to a lot of the places they talked about.

[@joeyager8479]

@@SidetrackAdventures Same here. It made history and geography much more interesting because I had been there.

[@jcf6546]

for not using cue cards, you are very well spoken, and use good english. well done.

[@daveshikingandbiking8274]

Thanks for the video! I'm from Michigan and I've hiked the Goat canyon Trestle trail 4 times It's one of the hardest hikes I've done. I don't hike along the train tracks I take the actual trail which is very difficult. I'm out there every winter visiting my brother in Carlsbad and he takes me on the best hikes! Thanks again!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I've heard that hike is pretty tough, but probably more interesting than just walking along the tracks.

[@rickkaylor8554]

As usual, your videos are awesome. I've driven under this bridge many times and never gave it much thought. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@seabee12333]

I have been back and forth down that road literally hundreds of times, it never gets old. Thank you!

[@WildWestGal]

Thanks for being persistent in getting to the bridge, Steve! Incredible view!!!

[@knappdaddy]

Definitely was necessary to climb up there, what a great view of the bridge up close !!

[@MikeJohnson-ld9rn]

Thanks again Steve . I think I enjoy these lesser known roadside points of history more than the well known major tourist attractions that everyone is already totally aware of and probably have previously visited before! These are somehow more interesting when you know you just learned something .

[@waynesilva3129]

Thank you for taking me down memory lane. It brought tears to my eyes. I use to pedal old 94 on my bicycle in early 1970s while In high school (monte vista high in spring valley). Never saw a road bike out there. Just as fun on my Yamaha. Getting a little Older, driving on Sunday afternoon in the car. Even went across on the train once. Quite exhilarating, thank you.

[@DougPeabody]

You're pretty brave Steve. That's quite a structure. Love seeing old abandoned rail structures.

[@harrellconners1853]

40years ago I walked that cat walk. Don’t know if I would today at 61 lol . Nice to see the plaques are still there.

[@davevan8864]

Great video as always!!! I am a model rail roader so seeing the bridge was cool!!

[@ChuckShiley]

Steve, I admire your trail investigation qualities in figuring out how to get from here to there through rough country. Thanks for all your videos.

[@johnjennings5474]

Thank you Steve ! You always do such a great job on the subjects you cover. As a lifelong resident I'm amazed by the things you report on. Keep up your great work!

[@ElementofKindness]

Reminds me of the Salisbury Viaduct in Meyerdale, PA, though it's not nearly as high, but very much longer.

[@javierramos9795]

Great content as always Steve, as a big fan of your content I have a minor correction of sorts because I work in the construction industry what you refer to as “cement” is actually concrete which is composed of cement, sand and stones or gravel for the most part. Again thank for all the content is very informative.

[@craig0769]

Thanks for this memory. In 1997 I stopped by this bridge and scrambled up to the top on the other side across the creek. I attempted to walk the catwalk underneath but it was pretty sketchy and I only made it about halfway. There were no handholds at all. The area is very beautiful!

[@chevy5515]

Nice to see it not all graffitied up. Good job

[@user-ew4qn1um2l]

Love the narrative, the detailed history, and the photograpy, especially the drone photography. Another outstanding video by Steve.

[@DM-lc2cf]

I love the old photo of the train / car.

[@Hogger280]

If you want to talk about "impossible Railroads" then you need to talk about the Camas Prairie RR and the Milwaukee Road west of Harlowton Mt. These railroads have literally dozens of trestles as impressive as the one in this story and tunnels as well!

[@joeryanstrialbook2005]

In the late 1920s, gamblers who managed strings of horses, used Potrero in the winter to train them for races at Aqua Caliente. Among them were John Considine and Jack Ryan. Ryan would take the string by train from Tecate to Tiajuana. This being 1928-1930.

[@ChrisF3F3]

Again you have given us a trip we are too old to do thanks

[@bloodyfinger5]

As usual , you went above and beyond for your viewers , Thank you

[@UniusPoenitentis]

Phenomenal video, Steve! As someone who really loves the railroad as well as California history, I especially appreciate your hard work in filming this! I wasn't sure you were going to be able to make it up to the bridge given the challenges, but thanks for persevering so we could all get a look! I really enjoy watching your videos, I even like the background music too. Looking forward to your next one!

[@Pushyhog]

drove my 10 car hauler accross the 8 for 9 years twice a month. Its beautiful usa to me. casino truck parking was nice too. Lil' snow up there one night.

[@rrelectric5159]

A really nice one Steve! You have shown a very interesting part of a very interesting railroad. Lots of other You-tubers have shown the Goat Creek trestle but I have never seen one about the viaduct. Thanks for the railroad subject and thanks for your effort to get to the top of the viaduct.

[@NQExplorers]

Very enjoyable video Steve, yours are some of the best out there - particularly the railway related ones - all the best! Warren and Colleen.

[@toymaster5464]

Thanks Steve for yet another adventure video. We love your narration and history of where you visit! Stay safe (mostly from snakes! Lol) and keep those adventures coming!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks. I actually thought I heard a snake earlier that day, but didn't see them anywhere.

[@glc1183]

The view from the bridge was great - definitely worth the climb (he says as someone who didn't make the climb). Drone shots were good too. Thanks for the vid - High quality work, as usual-----------------

[@mikenunley2106]

Thanks Steve,Good Job. Go SD Padres.⚾⚾⚾. Mike From Vista...👋👍✌

[@kenbearsley8322]

Great video Steve. You and your wife are darn fit for all the hiking ya do to give us great video's and information. The days railways were built with little to no red tape from the government, no time of It cant be done and little concept of the dangers of building across gullies rivers etc. To build that bridge (or viaduct) now, how much red tape from the government, how much planning, how many engineers, how many contracts to put out etc would it take just to lay the foundation?! The winds up there must be terrible in a storm. And yes, my legs were jelly just watching your video at the top there. And that was before you got to the bridge.

[@johncunnane1582]

thanks Steve. I will never be able to go there, so this was the next best thing !

[@williambliss6087]

The San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railroad, "Shortest Line East!" When I was about 4 years old my family road the last steam locomotive passenger train on this line.

[@TrzCharlie]

Thank you for the look at the campo creek viaduct

[@joefoltz4297]

Another amazing video and as always you've added another adventure to my list.

[@bobsg35]

Very cool. thanks for finding these.

[@marks.schwartz8468]

another outstanding video, Steve !!! Thanks for taking us along !!!

[@paulcalhoun6339]

It seems every video brings you post brings back a flood of memories….and I usually jump over to Google Earth to take a Birds Eye look. Today’s video takes me back almost 50 years-back in the day, Campo had a boys ranch and we, Calipat, would go up there to play baseball or basketball. Thanks.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The boys ranch shut down maybe 15 years ago or so.

[@tommurphy4307]

paul- you can also use netr online's historic aerials for shots that predate the images on Google earth pro. netr's photos date back to the early 50's. wow- that was a long drive up from calipatria- especially back then in an older vehicle on old 80.

[@paulcalhoun6339]

@@SidetrackAdventures next time you are near Calipatria, go see the flag pole. It was quite the history, from what I understand, that has to do with citizens sent to an interment camp, people coming together, and a This your Life Show.

[@blueser100]

Very cool video. Thanks for this all your videos of backroads and forgotten highways.

[@gilochoa2980]

Another great vid! You seem to always pick wonderful out of the way places. Thank you.

[@Coltbreath]

Awesome as usual Steve! Happy trailing!

[@eileenirwin2778]

Thank you for sharing another fascinating video, Steve. Stay safe in your travels.

[@DW-qe7qe]

That was great. Thank you

[@kplante7881]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing…!

[@randym9147]

Great video dude- Thanks!

[@RoadDogSteve]

Awesome.....thanks

[@pamkay8915]

Thanks for doing that walk up to the top of the railroad

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

Another great video. So glad you post these with the historical information. Thanks for sharing.

[@herbbrandt1589]

Outstanding visit,thanks

[@rica967]

Thank you Steve for another great adventure

[@Joe-ep9jg]

Love this channel!!

[@prestocoop]

thanks for the adventure!!!

[@HazMat1012]

Very cool!!!

[@StevieWonder737]

As a history buff I absolutely love your presentations. They are factual, concise and well organized. People with a true love of history, both the good and the bad, are held in high esteem by me. You're definitely in the upper echelon of my list.

[@newellbate]

Really cool !

[@lelandcarlson1668]

A view like that is always worth the climb. Great video as always! Thank you!

[@valeriegoode9762]

Thank you for sharing.

[@truebalsamhogs]

Well done. Very cool and informative video. Thank you.

[@bglrj]

Always a treat!

[@chrisdalebout5106]

Thank you for taking the hike up to the bridge ❤

[@602br61458]

Very good video. I truly enjoy how your panoramic pans are slow so the viewer has time to take in the image.

[@planetminecraft411]

Amazing view from the tip of the bridge! Such a cool video to watch.

[@dentech4710]

Once again, a very enjoyable and informative video…thank you.

[@marvwatkins7029]

A spectacular, pretty remote view.

[@billmcroberts6566]

Steve, what an interesting, out of the way place to visit. Thanks

[@stevewhalen6973]

Thanks!

[@MCW1955]

Man, you are making really great videos and I look forward to each new one. Love those drone shots. Can you imagine walking over that? Yikes. Thanks.

[@dale6349]

Very nice video!!

[@leonajameson8902]

That was awesome. Thanks Steve

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zeroatomfault]

The view of the top along the line made the video perfect, thanks for making the effort up that trail.

[@Weezieweeks]

Great video!

[@stevef.8041]

Great video, my friend! Keep on!

[@PhredsArmy]

Another great video, Steve. Thanks.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@jimogm1309]

Great job Steve

[@Jblk9695]

Thanks for another adventure, I've been under that trestle a few times on motorcycle rides but never seen the top of it until now, thanks for climbing the trail to the top.

[@davidclark9150]

Thanks Steve for another interesting video. I appreciate that you actually visit these historical spots instead of just going to cemeteries.

[@coryamoroso8864]

great videos, Steve. Born/ raised in SD, but have not lived there for a while and your content brings back lost memories. Thanks!!

[@jetsons101]

Steve, your videos are: 1/3 adventure, 1/3 journey and 1/3 pure enjoyment......

[@johnlockyer8402]

A great adventure Steve, the. Bridge and its history very interesting. Thank you. John, Australia

[@williamwilliam728]

Awesome video and history of it. I would have walked it. And if need be, started crawling along, "Stand By Me!"

[@tommurphy4307]

thats a much scarier bridge- and i think its narrow gauge track.

[@robertfletcher3421]

Another great travel adventure. Thanks

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@erichughes9098]

Thanks, Steve😎👍

[@michaelsimonds2632]

MAGNIFICENT Post, Mr. Adventures! Possibly your best video to date. Yours is my favorite KZbin channel of all the thousands out there because you keep surprising us with the beauty and history of this area. Many Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, thanks!

[@ConnieWojahn]

This is good, but my favorite is still the video with the bees in the old engine.

[@evertzander6924]

Fantastic wiew 👍🙂🇸🇪

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Thanks

[@murrieta13]

Man your videos are great 👍🏼 I live in Calexico so when I travel to San Diego on the 8 it reminds me of your videos .😊

[@timothyotoole8035]

Thank you so much for finding the forgotten history. I enjoy your videos and has inspired me to Go out and visit the places

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Have fun. It looks a lot bigger in person.

[@SirCarlosMusicBMI]

Thank you for the wonderful tour. Blessings, Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😊🇺🇸

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Our pleasure!

[@tz5206]

Lived in a railroad town East of Chicago so used to hang around train tracks as a kid exploring and tubing in creeks under them so love these adventure videos. Arizona has a lot of old abandoned bridges out in middle of nowhere also. Found one hiking outside Morenci/Clifton near the huge Copper mine there back in the 70s. Great work and presentation! 👍🏽

[@awol116]

Thank you for doing these videos of the Southwest, Steve. Seeing places visited and others maybe some day. From an English fan.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoy them. I watch Paul and Rebecca Whitewick's channel and feel the same way about England.

[@ubroberts5541]

That’s great but California is NOT the southwest. California is the WEST.