Outbound Collective logo

Hike to the Goat Canyon Trestle

Borrego Springs, California

Description

Added by Last Adventurer

A difficult, challenging hikeGreat opportunities for exploration of an old railroad bridge and tunnelsGreat scenery and photographic opportunities both before and at the trestle

The Goat Canyon Trestle is the largest freestanding railroad bridge in California; and it is the most challenging hike in San Diego County. Located on the edge of the eastern county, the hike begins in the Anza-Borrego Desert. From San Diego, take the I-8 east to Ocotillo. From Ocotillo, follow the S-2 to the Mortero Wash, which is a dirt road. From the Mortero Wash, follow the dirt road to the Mortero Palm Trailhead parking area. From this point, the adventure begins.

The Goat Canyon Trestle hike does not follow an established trail, but rather a series of waypoints up and over a series of hills and mountains, before descending down to Trestle itself. While the hike itself is only five total miles of distance, due to the lack of a trail and the rugged nature of the terrain, it is a difficult hike. The payoff is worth it, as it allows you to explore an area of the county that most people have never seen or heard of.

From the Mortero Wash, the trail heads up the wash itself, beforeascending a boulder covered hill. The "trail" then levels out along aplateau, before ascending through a higher canyon. Once atop thecanyon, the "trail" again plateaus, before descending into Goat Canyonproper. Halfway down Goat Canyon, the trestle is readily visible.Continue down to the trestle, before returning back the way you came.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Scenic

Hike to the Goat Canyon Trestle Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Maidenhair Falls via Hellhole Canyon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Hike the Panorama Overlook in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Camping in Anza-Borrego State Park

Hike through Borrego Palm Canyon

Anza Borrego Metal Sculptures

Hike Sheep Canyon