The Impossible Railroad: Traversing the Trestle Catwalk

Built in 1932 after an earthquake collapsed the original Tunnel #15, this trestle is one of the greatest engineering marvels of the world. Standing 180 feet tall and spanning approximately 650 feet long it's truly remarkable getting to see it in person. I am extremely humbled to have gotten out to it on three separate occasions, with number four coming very soon. On the way there I seen two rattlesnakes as well as the site of a crate and boxcar derailment that happened back in May of 1965. Like I said in the intro my main objective was to cross the catwalk which affords amazing views in all directions, including down. Even with the wind ripping through the canyon and sun beating down the catwalk was in pretty stable condition. I hope you guys enjoy this video, and in advance thanks for stopping by!

[@georgescott249]

thank you for being wise and not killing the animals,,you are very good to the animals,,great respect for that

[@kokosnood]

Man, that catwalk...WOW !!!! Once I was walking and I heard a single rattle. I looked down at a big old Pacific Rattlesnake between my legs!!! I jumped away quickly. I got so lucky that day. I used to get so many rattlesnakes at my old place out by Shandon, CA. Great Video!

[@mikeb.7589]

Like Ocotillo Outlaw below, I hiked from Jacumba to the loading area and water tank down near Dos Cabesas. We parked a car down below and drove up to Jacumba to start our hike. It was 1985 and I was with my brother and 3 friends. No graffiti, just two smaller trestles that had burned. My friend Chris and I walked the catwalk as far as we felt safe. One of the most awesome hikes I have ever made! I was so interested in the history that I became a docent at the San Diego Railroad museum in Campo, Ca. Did that for 10 years until I got married and had kids. Great history, great memories!

[@BTWalsh55316]

when you got to the part of the catwalk without hand rails and only 1 board to walk on, my skin started tingling. This is AMAZING! what a fabulous piece of history! Thank you

[@ocotillooutlaws4101]

Great video! In 1976 I was able to hike this section from Jacumba to Ocotillo. There was no graffiti and there was still Coors beer cans down by the rail car and then hiked across the trestle before it burned and was rebuilt. I made a video of the locomotives that are abandoned on the section east of Ocotillo. What a great feat of engineering! Sad 😔 to see the amount of vandalism since my last adventure there... In the hills surrounding the area there are the remnants of the campsites and temporary homes of the workers that built the railroad. A lot of history in the area.

[@scotcoon1186]

So this trestle, or a different one, was rebuilt since 76?

[@CarswithNash]

I love seeing these old structures and thinking about the way they were built and the tools that were used to build them and the men that built them.💪

[@JohnCompton1]

That was some beautiful timbering in tunnel 15. Back in the day true craftsmanship could be found even in the places not meant to seen. Also it would've been boss to stand on that middle section when an old giant steam train was chugging above!

[@WesternMineDetective]

That's so true all the tunnels have their own unique features that inspire a sense of awe. And it definitely would've been awesome to see those old trains back in the day going across. Thanks for watching!

[@brycehale4725]

@@WesternMineDetective kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3LNZ4tvp7-Chas

[@brycehale4725]

@@WesternMineDetective That was probably filmed pre-1981

[@janblake9468]

I've watched several videos of that trestle iver the years, but you're the first to walk the lower catwalk. Good job.

[@KnowBullshit]

Same

[@rodsmith3911]

Thanks for an informative video. We've nothing on this scale in the UK though we did have a few wooden trestles mostly in the early years of the railways. I remember seeing quite a nice wooden trestle on a line at Eshwinning in County Durham but that was demolished after the line closed. I think it went in the 1960's. The route is now a cycle path but you descend the valley and climb out again nowadays and there are no remains at all of the structure, which is a real shame. I've looked with awe at photos of the massive structure you've crossed and am delighted to be able to see your film as at 75 yrs I doubt I'll ever be able to see it in real life. As a railway fireman in my youth and a steam breakdown crane driver and in later life a civil engineer I appreciate the work that went into building these enormous structures. Thanks again for the opportunity to see it at close quarters in real time. Just want h out for those rattles son! Enjoy your adventures, they'll last you a lifetime.

[@340MAGNUM8]

The older I get the worse that looks. Two bad things, heights and rattle snakes. Good Job.

[@d2sfavs]

thanks for leaving the snake alone they usually dont back down when a threat is nearby thats one amazing place even the geology is neat

[@iispjhanna]

Oh Good Lord young man. An outstanding demonstration of bravery with some 'nutso' thrown in. While I have little fear of heights, I have a massive fear of falling. I can visualize myself clutching the handrail, refusing to move onward or backward. A great video. Thanks for showing that as it is something I would never see otherwise. Special meaning on the term 'tread lightly' and stay safe.

[@groupersti]

I'm not crazy bout heights myself..But you know what they say..The fall is never the problem...It's that sudden stop at the bottom that gets to ya everytime..😞

[@milla698]

Yes beautiful craftsmanship something that people took pride in doing back then. Now everything is build with a disposal date

[@rogersmith7396]

It was completely engineered. They used to build them by the hundreds. Lots built in the Civil War. Slap it together, move on to the next one.

[@libbywoodson1378]

Thanks for the tag along!! I don't have a fear of heights but I do have a fear of rotten boards!!

[@c103110a]

I like how you combine the video and still photos. Great job!

[@marinegunny826]

Gotta hand it to you! You've got some cool nerves. I've repelled out of helicopters but I sure as hell wouldn't trust walking on near ninety year old planks. 😄 Glad you did it, though. Excellent shots of views not many people would have the courage to get. Something to be proud of. Glad I came across this video. Would love to hike this trail.

[@llEverydayCarnivorell]

My fav video you’ve done so far! Thanks!

[@pourindiesel]

You're doing the lords work documenting that trestle. Thank you!

[@sheilawhatley572]

Awesome video. Reminds me of my Dad who was a cautious but fearless explorer of all things desert. Thank you for this.

[@tedtaylor9689]

I always intended to make the hike myself and never got the time. Thanks for letting all of us tag along with you. Made my day.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Thank you so much for sharing this incredible journey to this amazing trestle! If I could’ve, I would’ve held my breath the entire time that you were walking on and inside of that incredible piece of engineering! To think that steam locomotives and millions of pounds of freight used to travels these rails in the middle of nowhere to cross the Mojave desert to the west coast of Califonia!

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Jerith, that first tunnel had some beautiful timber work, they really knew how to build with wood back in the day. Jeez those rattlesnakes get pissy really quick, just glad you didn't get bit by either of them. That trestle is just so amazing to see, I can't believe you walked back using the catwalk, it really shows off how well it was all put together though. Thank you for making & sharing, much love. xx 💕

[@dianthis]

I didn’t think the first vid was boring. I do like seeing the old photos and a little history on the bridge in this one though. Very interesting!

[@dougberry1011]

I don’t think I would be walking out there alone. One bad step and you get bit by a rattlesnake of that size and it’s game over. He was lucky. Same goes if he fell fetén on the catwalk. Great video though and the engineering of the bridge, tunnels and rail Ed was great.

[@NaomisAdventures]

The tunnels are really neat. The views are amazing. Awesome catwalk

[@aj-2savage896]

The inside of those cars reminds me of the thriving Portland art scene.

[@rogersmith7396]

Not enough bums.

[@ccjensen4670]

The Yolo causeway trestles in Northern CA is built using Redwood Timbers..my father's job was to select or reject the timbers that came out of Pacific Lumber Co. In Scotia CA...my granddad was finish carpenter and cabinet maker for the workers home in Scotia..the Scotia Inn still stands and was open as of a few years ago...I love the Redwoods...

[@wraith0127]

Just WATCHING you walk across that trestle gave me vertigo, I can't imagine what it felt like to be there. Amazing views though! I love these old abandoned railroads!

[@Gr8thxAlot]

Agree, this is insane just watching.

[@workonitm8]

Loved the trestle, I can just imagine what it was like when it was in daily use. 👍👍👍👍👍😊

[@chrisk28]

oh man! I literally felt vertigo up and down my legs that whole time you were walking along the cat walk. Thanks for being crazy for us!

[@dombutler7685]

Great to see this again, though not so great to see all the vandalism. That catwalk view was amazing!

[@WesternMineDetective]

Yeah it's definitely a shame to see the vandalism. But I'm glad that the trestle itself and much of the surrounding area is pretty much untouched. The views were to die for, literally 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@Mark_The_Magnificent]

OMG that is a truly spectacular mind blowing structure!!! Thank you for the best video ever!!! I would not be brave enough to do that for sure. So glad you shared this awesome footage.. I wish I could give you 10 thumbs up!

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Wow, I got dizzy watching that! Thank you for the great video!👍

[@zerofox7347]

Great video buddy. You’re scaring me half to death with those rattlers though I’m sure you’re getting with in striking distance of them. Be careful it’s a jungle out there….. well, ok a Desert then. 😉

[@TheNorthernTsar]

Good work. I was getting vertigo merely watching some of your Death-defying antics traversing that catwalk! I recommend a good pair of leather working gloves because catching wooden slivers is a very real and painful possibility. That, and a Snake-bite kit!!

[@ABANDONED_UNDERGROUND]

That's an amazing place! I gotta hand it to ya, you've got some balls going down that old wooden ladder on the trestle!

[@scottnyc6572]

First time viewer and new subscriber here.The railroad trestles are a marvelous engineering feat.Im sure many workers encountered and were struck by those rattlers back then.I couldn’t walk through those dark tunnels knowing that those snakes are lurking in and around the trails and tracks.I believe they can strike their own overall length.So if there’s a five footer coiled up they can basically strike that distance.You were very lucky not getting bit.Thanks for this fascinating tour.

[@joesrustshop4509]

I've heard the same about striking distance. I would have ran back a lot further. As for poking with a stick ?? Maybe a 20 foot stick

[@rogersmith7396]

Some in S. America can throw themselves off the ground. They say its difficult to outrun them at full speed and they are very aggressive. Some live in trees and drop onto their prey. The ones I have seen in glass cases are evil looking. Malevolent.

[@joesrustshop4509]

@@rogersmith7396 I was at the zoo, and was looking at one close up behind the glass, it was asleep,...and still scary looking. Knowing what a bite from one of those can do to You.

[@rogersmith7396]

@@joesrustshop4509 Snakes can hiss loudly too which would probably surprise most people. Rattlesnakes have hemotoxin. It kills tissue. Amputations are not uncommon. Neuro toxic snakes can kill in a few minutes.

[@felipericketts]

I have been out there and ridden my bike down to the desert flats and back several times and I never saw a single rattler. Maybe I wasn't looking close enough! :-) Cool video and really nice to see the vintage pictures. Too bad about the vandalism and tagging.

[@rogersmith7396]

They are temperature dependent. His were sunning themselves. If they get too hot they go to shade. Like rail road tunnels.

[@felipericketts]

@@rogersmith7396 Scary thought: they may have been closer than I thought!

[@bboomer1948]

An amazing video. Kudos to you to traverse that magnificent structure. Huell Howser, the late, great PBS videographer, gave us some insight to this old RR on California Gold. He did not, however, walk across the bridge, just a few yards out. Me? I wouldn't be caught dead on that thing...Lol.

[@rogersmith7396]

It can hold a loaded train. As far as I know its about ready to go. I think they have speed limits.

[@canastasiou68]

That was really interesting, thanks for sharing. Cheers from Australia

[@scofab]

You got balls of solid steel... amazing journey there. Thanks for taking us along.

[@WesternMineDetective]

Haha appreciate that! I know alot of people have mentioned that, not sure if it's the balls of steel or nerves of steel. In any case, I do stuff most wouldn't even consider. Thanks for watching!

[@timothyharrison8953]

I'm just trying to focus on not dying. Wise words my friend. Fear of heights, fear of hitting the ground is more likely

[@AC-tq3ri]

Mann watching you walk that catwalk. I can almost smell all that old wood. Excellent video tho!!! Good job! Stay Safe out and about on your future adventures and explorations.

[@Jake-yx7ct]

This was my second time watching. OMG that was a close encounter with those snakes!!! The catwalk portion was in my opinion the best part. Showed crazy courage on your part with blind faith in those timbers. Thanks for sharing your explore.

[@jeremywills9303]

Thanks for sharing. There is no way I'd be able to do any of this. I hate snakes and I hate heights so count me out. Glad you didn't get hurt doing this.

[@MegaSnow121]

Wow! Held my breath a great many times while you walked on that catwalk. Fascinating, amazing trestle. We have a large one - though nothing like this one - not far from where I live, though it is still in use by short freight trains a few times a month. So, no going over it.

[@bigkiwimike]

2:28 I’m pretty sure the fittings you have here are for stopping the rails from “creeping” or moving longitudinally on the sleepers. The hook part fits on the outside of the foot of the rail and it sits up against the sleeper and driven on with a hammer. They are usually placed either side of the sleeper. I have seen rails move upwards of 12” longitudinally without the use of these fittings. Great video.

[@Swaggerlot]

I'll concur with that.

[@bigkiwimike]

@@Stevie-J It does have a mind of its own.

[@alwhalen3488]

Not surprisingly the actual railroad term for those fittings is a 'rail anchor'. Federal track standards require them in various places, but not everywhere on a track. There are machines that put them on as well as a method to put them on by hand (with a big hammer)

[@theoldempressrv6193]

Love the vid...love the history....amazing....watching here in the UK.

[@hamsterman2008]

I've never seen a video of the underbelly of that beast . You're number one . Woderhussy was there at the train .

[@N-Scale]

Thanks for this journey and sharing !!

[@StumpfsCurse]

As someone with severe fear of heights, that trestle catwalk is nightmare fuel. 😳

[@matthewzito5952]

Love you thanks again for everything

[@mrjeff2396]

Enjoyed the hike, thanks!

[@B1900pilot]

Flown over that area numerous times...Always wanted to explore it...Great video!

[@stevepowell6896]

Great video, watch out for the rattle snakes. This is such a cool piece of history. Greetings from SE Kansas.

[@777jones]

The men who built that tunnel would be thrilled to see it standing strong for 100 years still in good shape.

[@kevinb9327]

Thanks for taking me on a fascinating walk. You're more brave than me! 🐍

[@davidmaggard2796]

Thank you for sharing such a amazing place great video as always keep up the great work . that rattle snake even scared me 👍👍👍👍

[@JackBWatkins]

I would never be able to make a hike like that because of balance issues. So thanks for the video.

[@derrick_builds]

What a great adventure. Thanks for sharing .

[@realmickmanning]

Awesome tour ma man. Glad you took us all along with you.

[@WesternMineDetective]

Thanks Mick! Was definitely a pleasure. Great to see you in the comments again. Thanks for watching.

[@jamesyoung1167]

Loved your Adventure!

[@deathvalley1592]

GREAT VIDEO!!! I WISH I HAD YOUR ‘BALANCE’ ABILITY!!!!!

[@additudeobx]

That was totally awesome. And a coupla big rattlers as well. Especially that second one. I'm surprised "he" didn't feel you coming. I'd love to take a pack tent/bag and camp stove for an overnighter up there.

[@WesternMineDetective]

Yeah I was surprised how big both rattlers were they were both at least 3 feet long. I've contemplated doing that maybe one day. Thanks for watching!

[@additudeobx]

@@WesternMineDetective - Yeah, hard to tell length on that first one, all coiled up ready to "Fang", which BTW I thought you got close enough to be just inside of striking distance. But camera angles, f-stop of the lens, probably changed the viewing perception. But the majority of snake bites happen from people literally stepping on the snake. Second most is from harassment of the snake. That's interesting reading in itself.

[@ExploringWithBonnie13]

Great video. Can't say I would have walked that catwalk. Nice tunnels. Thanks for sharing.

[@peterburgess5974]

Awesome. It's great to see such a bridge intact. I live in England's Lake District and nearby at Belah used to be one of England's tallest trestle bridges. Sadly all that remains are the abutments. Thanks for showing us all. Power to you!

[@HollywoodGraham]

That area always intrigued me, I would love to have a rail bike to ride on the trestle. Looks like the Navy is doing you well.

[@chuckotto7021]

Thank you for an opportunity to see something so rare!

[@tsmgguy]

Fascinating, thanks! I love the American West.

[@DaiElsan]

Amazing Trestle.

[@tomt9543]

Never seen your channel before, but I’m hooked! What a neat place to explore! Your serpent friends seem to love it too! Being a lifelong train lover and retired railroad employee, I have a keen interest in these once grand places that are now basically forgotten. Thanks for an outstanding video! Now, to research exactly where this is! I’m not real well versed on the western rail lines!

[@KubotaManDan]

you must see the cab ride it is truly excellent kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmeZoZl_asuop7s

[@bentrail]

That was awesome 👏👏👏 what a great adventure. Thanks for sharing

[@Hidden_Destinations]

Your videos are amazing. I just discovered your channel. You are also very knowledgeable. You have a new sub here!

[@jackierandall2230]

Spectacular video.fantastic tunnels.trestle is OMG beautiful..

[@sarasotasage6135]

That is really some rugged, inhospitable looking landscape! Kudos to you my man! You can keep your pets though!

[@greggd2027]

GREAT vid! I'm scared to death of heights.. the shots of the catwalk - my toes were tingling! Before I got too far into the vid I was thinking - looks like rattler country 🐍

[@fuzzwack1]

Man, I broke out into a sweat when he was walking on that catwalk!

[@nycphoto3125]

You are Great Explorer!

[@jimclaytor9834]

Great video my friend

[@ScratchGlass9]

Thanks for the precarious trek !! What a blast ! Subscribed from Detroit.

[@StuartOliver83]

Thanks for sharing this with us buddy

[@johncanetta6708]

Fantastic! And great narration!

[@edwardaustin740]

Happy to see you are making videos again. Hope all is well.

[@WesternMineDetective]

Likewise! I definitely missed it. Thanks for watching as always.

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Awesome job on this video.

[@sierrashere6957]

That happened to me once, also, almost stepped on a large rattlesnake while hiking at a pretty good clip along some old railroad tracks/trail in Tuolumne County. I think a guardian angel must stopped my body from flying forward right on to the snake cuz I had stopped so abruptly. Yeah did that one shake me up good !!!

[@royo1450]

Awesome video Thanks for sharing it with us

[@pacificrailproductions5281]

Oh my gosh!! You are way braver than me! But wow! Adrenaline rush railfanning man! Love it!

[@seanbatiz6620]

I wonder (without “googling”) just exactly how many board-feet of raw lumber was employed in constructing just ‘this’ one entire project back then, including all tunnels, trestles &, whatever out-buildings were once standing alongside that stretch of rail, for whatever rail use… this said, I wonder even more, what possesses some factions of peeps to be willing to take on such a long, arduous trek out into some of the most remote locations known, WITH STUPID SPRAY PAINT, just to ‘tag’ & vandalize the crap out of whatever???!?!!! I mean, if I were wanting to advertise myself, doing so in what’s arguably the middle of nowhere, would NOT reach the portion of humanity such forms of self-promotion, could actually reach… insanity! Other then that, once again FANTASTIC videography & stills of yet again, a true gem spectacle of yesteryears’ human ingenuity skills! Even though long defunct/abandoned, had the engineers behind this project, actually employed some forms of rudimentary seismic protective measures within its design construction, that would’ve sadly caused the opposite effect of that landscape, in that, that region would’ve been HEAVILY traversed to this day, by MILLIONS of folks ‘to this day’, having left way more scars along the natural landscape of that path. Them Coors branded product packaging remains would definitely be impossible to distinguish from hundreds of tons of other garbage that would’ve otherwise accumulated there over the decades

[@Ricky40369]

You are so correct. Some civilizations are better than others. We have become a shit country.

[@chickenwing111]

@NameIs JOHNSON - @Sean Batiz is correct. why do assholes need to go out and spray paint their shit on property that does not belong to them? your argument justifying the actions of the taggers make no sense.

[@rogersmith7396]

@@chickenwing111 Yes. Many other youtubers have been there. This is the first I have seen of the fires. Are the wooden tunnels next?

[@rogersmith7396]

You could hope they would meet up with the rattlesnakes to go along with their rattle cans. Long slow trip out to an emergency room.

[@hj8607]

Most people that do shit like this think they are the center of the Universe no matter where they are .

[@carlosrosales1712]

Great 👍 good to see you back, hope all is well

[@FoulMoodFighter]

So that Catwalk is original and not one squeak or creak? WOW!!! Those are some high-quality planks of wood well as the nails and other fasteners.

[@WesternMineDetective]

Yep! All original from its construction back in 1932

[@mountainconsumer]

Great stuff, suprised not to have seen a rattle snake on your channel.

[@sunnysiderails397]

very interesting video, truly enjoyed!

[@scottfabel7492]

I biked that trestle while holding a Go Pro with one hand. It's a nice trek all the way out to the trestle and back. You need to do it in the morning and spring time due to the heat.

[@TomTom-pv2ig]

nice scenery😀😊 👍👋🇨🇦

[@ABrit-bt6ce]

Fascinating ... and then you get to the subject. :)

[@tommybokelman5565]

Cool video man thanks. Some of that wood looks newer some look pressure treated

[@llewdis]

What is fun is when a rattler starts up and you hear others start that you had no idea were around as well...

[@rogersmith7396]

They say the first hiker wakes them up and the second hiker takes the strike.

[@RRaucina]

Lucky for you those catwalk boards were pressure treated and of recent vintage. You are crazy! Those ladders are not sketchy, they are suicide.

[@jonathanchalk2507]

Very good, rather you than me. More please

[@MarkH10]

2 things to consider for your safety. Partner, and a Sat phone. I recall an explorer channel who got out about 50 miles from civilization years ago and was stuck after dark out there WITH his sat phone, and as a last resort had to call the local Sheriff, who came way out to get him. I hope you had a med kit as well.

[@brbertram]

Very cool content! Glad I discovered this channel.