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railexplorer Posts: 71
4/26/2013
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My 9 year old son, a couple of friends and I made the trek out to Dos Cabezas and the Goat Canyon trestle. My son, who is a huge train and history nut, has been wanting to get out and see both sights. The day we headed out was a perfect day.... temps in the mid 70's to the low 80s and breeze.
Here are some photos.
Water tower by Rail explorer, on Flickr
Rail view by Rail explorer, on Flickr
Tunnel by Rail explorer, on Flickr
There was some question whether my son and a couple of the young hikers would be able to make the whole hike. When we got to this point the motivation level went way up.
Trestle view by Rail explorer, on Flickr
For anyone who hasn't been out there be careful on the trestles......
Rock damage by Rail explorer, on Flickr
After 2.5 hours of hiking we made it to the trestle.
Goat Canyon Trestle by Rail explorer, on Flickr
Goat Canyon Treslte by Rail explorer, on Flickr
While the rest of our group rested and had lunch in the tunnel my son was off across the trestle to explore the collapsed tunnel that was the cause for the trestle's construction.
Collapsed tunnel by Rail explorer, on Flickr
Other sights along the way included......
Ocotillo in bloom by Rail explorer, on Flickr
We also encountered some wildlife.
snake by Rail explorer, on Flickr
Big horn by Rail explorer, on Flickr
Here are two railroad construction items we found.
powder can by Rail explorer, on Flickr
Drill bit by Rail explorer, on Flickr
The powder can was along the tracks and nowhere near the work camp site with the wall made of similar cans. As for the drill bit, at least that's what it appears to be I found that on the hike.
We had a great day and will definitely get out that way and look around, especially some of the off track areas. I'm going to do some research on the work camps and see if I can get a handle on where they were located and then get out and have a look for them. My son did great right up to the final half mile.... then the wheels came off. I can't blame him, he put in just over 11 miles.
Finally I'd like to thank everyone on this site that answered my questions, all of your help definitely made our trip easier.
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
4/26/2013
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Great post Rail Explorer. Nice Rosy Boa pic. Need to get out there before they reopen the RR. Tom
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
4/27/2013
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That looks like it was a great trip, the trestle, bighorn sheep, snakes, historic artifacts, great weather...I love the whole Carrizo Gorge area...great TR..
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Space Cowboy Posts: 9
4/27/2013
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So I take it the railroad is closed again. I was at the Campo Historical Society not that long ago (maybe it was, I'm just that old), and they were talking about the RR getting back to business. I walked the length of the Carrizo Gorge from the bottom to Dubber Spur before the turn of the century, but that was before they'd repaired the two half-mile tunnels at each end that had collapsed. It was like walking through time.
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
4/27/2013
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Great TR and the bighorn pic is spectacular. Nice job getting the kids out there too.
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anutami Posts: 491
4/27/2013
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Great photos! 11 miles for a 9 year old in 1 day is amazing. Something he will never forget. The collapsed tunnel is pretty dramatic (and very difficult to get to I might add) with all the beams splintered and concrete smashed. You get a feeling of not wanting to stay in there too long.
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railexplorer Posts: 71
4/28/2013
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Nolan (anutami) wrote:
Great photos! 11 miles for a 9 year old in 1 day is amazing. Something he will never forget. The collapsed tunnel is pretty dramatic (and very difficult to get to I might add) with all the beams splintered and concrete smashed. You get a feeling of not wanting to stay in there too long.
Yea I was impressed with my son's stamina.... then again he was pretty motivated to get out and see the trestle. Our entire group was treated to a constant stream of historical facts about the railroad from him.
As for the collapsed tunnel we didn't venture any further than the splintered beams. I told him since you have no idea how long those beams have been splintered you don't pass them. When I explained a bit more about why he was fine with that and yea we got out it pretty quick.
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ziphius Posts: 911
4/28/2013
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Awesome trip report and great photos! Your son will never forget that trip. 
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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harmono Posts: 71
11/12/2013
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This is making me want to go back there. Beautiful pictures. Brings back memories of early 2013 when I went to the trestles.
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IMG_1032 by harmono619, on Flickr
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