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harmono Posts: 71
12/24/2012
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Sunday I walked from the parking spot at Dos Cabesas Rd on the north loop of the track, to Goat Canyon Trestle.
20121223_132206 by harmono619, on Flickr
I hiked with a co-worker who had a truck.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89836383@N03/8304952947/in/photostream
edited by harmono on 12/27/2012
edited by harmono on 12/27/2012
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IMG_1032 by harmono619, on Flickr
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harmono Posts: 71
12/27/2012
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This is the path that we took (the blue line). The red line is the railroad track. The orange/greenish line is this mysterious hidden path that I have been trying to find. I think I know where it is now, it was hidden behind a retainer wall. The trailhead starts with this small wash and the retainer wall prevents the sand from getting on the tracks.
TRESTLEMANIA by harmono619, on Flickr
Here I am embarking on my journey starting with this parking spot at the end of Dos Cabesas road. I wanted to see the Indian Hill area, and possibly cut some distance from the trek. I think it cuts about half a mile from the treck (see map above), but we came back on the tracks entirely (see red tracks on map above)
IMG_0859 by harmono619, on Flickr
I simply found a spot that looked like it was good on the GPS using Back Country Navigator for Android, and off we go. The app kept track of our path that we took, I then traced that in Google Maps (blue line). This is what the landscape looked like at first.
IMG_0876 by harmono619, on Flickr
In case you are wondering what happened to the structure that was made of TNT cans perhaps this photo solves the mystery?
IMG_0879 by harmono619, on Flickr
We found this on the way down south toward the Jeep road. There were other cans and other items strewn about.
We made it to the Jeep trail! Next we head toward the tracks. I'm looking around for artifacts and the construction camp. Lots of stuff but I did not see the TNT can structure. I saw another concrete slab though.
IMG_0887 by harmono619, on Flickr
Not sure what this concrete cylinder is for, but it's dated April 22 1919. Found this along the jeep trail.
IMG_0889 by harmono619, on Flickr
Our first sight of the tracks from the Jeep trail. The concrete slab was to the left.
IMG_0896 by harmono619, on Flickr
The first tunnel we saw. We did not go in this because we went left (south), however on the way back I believe there was this tunnel and another tunnel that we had not gone through that we went through because we took the tracks all the way back.
IMG_0901 by harmono619, on Flickr
Palms in the canyons below to the right.
IMG_0907 by harmono619, on Flickr
There were mile markers like this one that says "105". This was the first mile marker we saw I believe.
IMG_0916 by harmono619, on Flickr
The gravel along the tracks and on the tracks made it difficult to walk. There were some strong gusts of wind sometimes through the tunnels, and other times the tunnels were calm and warmer than outside because of the wind chill. It was very comfortable temperature wise. Somettimes in the tunnels I was sweating a little, and towards the end it was just a little chilly.
IMG_0935 by harmono619, on Flickr
When we saw the Goat Canyon Trestle in the distance, we were driven to go the full distance although we were playing it by ear. Neither one of us were conditioned hikers, and we are both heavy guys.
IMG_0948 by harmono619, on Flickr
Some kind of oiling mechanism? We saw many of these on the tracks.
IMG_0974 by harmono619, on Flickr
Apparently due to the sunglasses I was using, and various other factors such as sudden wind gusts, and the weight of my backpack, and my own heaviness, it was scary for me to cross the trestles. I noticed I had sweaty palms. But I noticed that after I ate lunch, and didn't have glasses on, and not as much water to carry, it was not scary at all crossing the trestles. I could not count this to experience, since I was just as scared for each trestle. I did not try to cross Goat Canyon Trestle. My friend Mike went about 1/3 of the way and stopped, because the winds were blowing the trestle! He did not complain of being afraid.
IMG_0976 by harmono619, on Flickr
My father told me that he had an opportunity to ride on these tracks back in the '70's before Hurricane Kathleen hit. He said that one of the boxcars was on the side of the canyon and had Coors beer in it which people were helping themselves to. I'm not sure if it's these boxcars or not. This photo is misleading. These boxcars seemed to be suspended by nothing, and could fall down the canyon if I would just blow on them!
More on the beer can story here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=carrizo%20gorge%20beer&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Fvideo%2Fjeff%2Fcarrizo-gorge-beer-can-story-evening-version%2F3970116&ei=oL_cUO2uM8G0igLuioCYAQ&usg=AFQjCNF4zkKd58_MfpFpnpesye1F7Xkxzw
IMG_0993 by harmono619, on Flickr
The last tunnel before reaching Goat Canyon Trestle. I ate lunch there while Mike played around. My feet were very sore by this time.
IMG_1031 by harmono619, on Flickr
edited by harmono on 12/27/2012
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IMG_1032 by harmono619, on Flickr
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
12/27/2012
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Nice trip! Still have to get out and visit Goat Canyon Trestle. Thanks. Tom
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
12/27/2012
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Thanks for posting
Never get tired of Goat Canyon Trestle trip reports 
The route that you took out is the one I want to try also.
Did you see anyone else out there?
Bob
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
12/27/2012
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Let me know when you are thinking of heading out?
I wouldn't mind going out again and I know we could talk Daren into it
Bob
tommy750 wrote:
Nice trip! Still have to get out and visit Goat Canyon Trestle. Thanks. Tom
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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railexplorer Posts: 71
12/27/2012
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Great photos. Thanks for doing the recon work. I'll be using your notes when I head out there soon.
As for the oiling mechanism. That's a greaser for the tracks. You see those on tracks with sharp turns. They automatically grease the wheels as they roll by. It helps cut down the friction and the wear on the wheels and tracks.
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harmono Posts: 71
12/28/2012
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surfponto wrote:
Thanks for posting
Never get tired of Goat Canyon Trestle trip reports
The route that you took out is the one I want to try also.
Did you see anyone else out there?
Bob
Bob,
Yes we saw 3 mountain bikers as we were on the Jeep trail. We also saw about 6 other hikers along the tracks. One guy did not believe me when I pointed at the Goat Canyon Trestle. I don't think all of them went all the way out ,they started a couple hours after us I think. Just weekenders. The day before I saw 3 cars on Nortero Canyon Road, and I saw a Jeep cross the tracks. Lot's of activity on this weekend.
I also drove around alot and saw Canyon Sin Novembre. On Monday I drove to Salton City. I was going to ride my bike around but the tensioner broke. So I drove up the S22 to Borrego Springs and up the switchbacks.
I bought some pie in Julian for Christmas.
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IMG_1032 by harmono619, on Flickr
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harmono Posts: 71
12/28/2012
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railexplorer wrote:
Great photos. Thanks for doing the recon work. I'll be using your notes when I head out there soon.
As for the oiling mechanism. That's a greaser for the tracks. You see those on tracks with sharp turns. They automatically grease the wheels as they roll by. It helps cut down the friction and the wear on the wheels and tracks.
Yeah I saw how when the train would go on the track there was a lever there. That's funny, I was at UTC and saw a kiddies train and it was sqeaking really bad.
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IMG_1032 by harmono619, on Flickr
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