Carrizo Gorge Overnight Backpack | ABDSP

I've been wanting to explore the depths of Carrizo Gorge for some time now. My treks out to Goat Canyon trestle would always afford me expansive views of the gorge from high above and the boulder-strewn, vegetation-chocked, twisting course has beckoned to my sense of adventure and exploration. So when I found myself with some time available on a weekend to try out some of my new overnight backpacking gear, I made plans to head out and camp somewhere within the gorge. The State Park and California Conservation Corps have been involved in a tamarisk removal project there, clearing out the invasive trees and making it much easier to traverse the canyon. 

There's not a whole lot of information out there about a hiking route down the length of Carrizo Gorge. An earlier edition of Afoot & Afield In San Diego County describes this hike as a long, rugged, difficult, and memorable one, with bushwhacking, boulderhopping, and mud-stomping in abundance. However, most people who head into this area come to hike or bike along the old San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway, built in the early 1900's.

Carrizo is a Spanish word or reeds, cattails, or tall grasses growing along watercourses around the Southwest and Mexico. Carrizo Gorge drops in elevation from 2,800 feet at Jacumba along Interstate 8, and descends to 700 feet some 18 miles to the desert floor near Bow Willow along Highway S2.

California Conservation Corps trucks parked along the north end of the canyon.

The vehicle route from Highway S2 extends about six miles into the gorge. It starts out as a wide sandy wash, eventually becoming a slightly technical, rocky trail.

Parked at the roads end. From here its all on foot.

A few State Park support vehicles were parked here as well.

This trip certainly provided stunning views of the natural beauty found in the desert. When I go hiking, no matter the difficulty of the trail, there is something thrilling about being out in the backcountry with nothing but my pack. Climbing up a mountain, having a close encounter with a wild animal, exploring new territory, and seeing new sights all bring a form of adrenaline rush. Even the toughest situations become great stories and proud accomplishments.

Pottery shards found along the way.

The dried up Carrizo Creek bed. I came across very little water along the creek, which was surprising since I remembered seeing quite a bit from above on my last Goat Canyon trestle hike just three months ago in November. 

Without the tamarisk removal here this hike would have been much more difficult. Tamarisk, also known as salt cedar, is an exotic, shrubby tree which was introduced to the western United States for ornamental use, windbreaks and erosion control; however, it has become a dominant, invasive species.

I've seen these old rail cars along the hill side quite a few times, but never from this vantage point. 

The waterline along this boulder shows just how deep the creek can get.

My first sighting of water in the gorge. This hike would be interesting during a wetter season.

More evidence of the tamarisk removal efforts. It has a very aggressive growth pattern and displaces native vegetation within watersheds and also constricts water ways. This plant absorbs a large amount of water with its long roots causing water depletion in its region.

Just before reaching the junction with Goat Canyon I found a suitable campsite under a large boulder. The full-sized sleeping bag probably made my pack heavier than it needed to be. It'll be getting a lightweight backpacking one before my next overnight trip. My pack is an old  Kelty Sierra Crest 3950 exterior frame.

My home for the  night.

I spent the evening finishing up one of my books.

The next day a explored a little ways down the gorge before heading back.

Water bladders for the work crews. I could see these from the railroad tracks above a few months ago.

It looks like this is where they keep the herbicide used to help eradicate the invasive tamarisk.

Looking up towards the tributary of Goat Canyon. The railroad trestle isn't visible from here; you need to climb up a bit further to see it. I'll save that side trip for another day.

It seemed like there was some weather moving into the area. Strong winds had battered my tent for a few hours the night before.

Oh man, this pack is so heavy! Why am I doing this again? Oh, that's right. I enjoy my solo treks because I can enjoy the beauty of silence and the sounds of nature. I like listening to the rhythm of my breath, looking at the small details of the natural world around me or loosing myself in the magnificent scenery, trying to engrave it in my memory. When I hike I want to feel fully immersed in the nature surrounding me, I like to remember how small I am. It helps me to put things in the right perspective. 

California Conservation Corps crew, on their way back to work. I had passed them the day before on their way out.

Of course I packed out the one mylar balloon I found.

The CCC campsite was situated near the end of the vehicle route.

On my way out I couldn't help stopping a few times to just take in the views.

I'll be making plans for a day hike down the length of the gorge sometime soon. From Jacumba to the end of the road should be about 12 miles. The tamarisk removal project should also make this an easier trek than it would have been a few years ago.

Making a quick stop at the Carrizo Badlands overlook before continuing on down the highway and home.

Overview of my 6.5 mile round trip.

Check out these Carrizo Gorge adventures by fellow Anza-Borrego enthusiast, Daren Sefcik.

Carrizo Gorge Backpack - ABDSP

The Impossible Railroad & Carrizo Gorge Solo Backpack

Goat Canyon Trestle Hike, Nov. 2013

It looks like this has turned out to be my annual November hike. The Goat Canyon Trestle is an engineering marvel on the “impossible” San Diego and Arizona Railway that was constructed between 1907 and 1919 along the rugged Carrizo Gorge. The world's largest wooden trestle was built in 1932 after an earthquake destroyed one of the tunnels, forcing the railroad engineers to bridge Goat Canyon. This spectacular trestle remains to this day for adventure minded people to find deep within a rugged wilderness.  

For more history on this railroad, check out the link below.

San Diego's "Impossible Railroad"

For my last trip report here, check out this link: Goat Canyon Trestle Hike - November 2012

Those familiar with San Diego County know that it is full of great hikes, as it has an incredible amount of geographical diversity. There are hikes along the beach, foothills, mountains and deserts; all within about a two hour drive or less.  Many of these amazing hikes are worth experiencing, but to me they do not have the sense of adventure that the Goat Canyon Trestle hike has, making it one of my favorites. If you are not prepared for a strenuous hike that involves rough terrain, scrambling over boulders, maneuvering up and down dry waterfalls, and substantial elevation gains, this is not the hike for you. It involves a bit of off-highway driving to a somewhat remote trail head and spending a whole day to hiking out and back. First timers should consider bringing and using a map and compass, or GPS unit. Be sure to bring plenty of water, food, first-aid kit, and be prepared for the desert.

 Riding along with with my friend Steve and his girlfriend Tammy, we make our way along Mortero Wash to Dos Cabezas Road along a portion of railroad tracks to drop off a vehicle at our ending point.

Ominous looking clouds in the distance.

Starting out at Mortero Palms trail head.

There's plenty of rock scrambling to be had early on in this hike.

Steve, posing at this rocky overhang.

Hey, I gotta get in on this too.

Looking back at our progress so far.

There's still a lot of climbing to do. From here you can see the wind farm just West of the town of Ocotillo.

Which line to take up the rocks? The one that won't break my neck!

Making progress through the boulder strewn pass.

Soon we come upon Mortero Palms oasis.

On a warm day these palms make for a relaxing break from the sun and heat.

Just past the palms we had to ascend up this narrow, smooth, dry waterfall.

Once at the top we had a great view of the palms and desert below.

The route ahead still has a few boulders to negotiate.

Time for a short snack break.

  Continuing on...

If you look closely at the large boulder in the center of the photo you'll notice a Yoni (female fertility symbol, or "Yoni" petroglyph) carved in the center by ancient Native Americans.

Once at the top of the first ridge we descend down into a canyon before climbing up the next ridge.

Watch your footing here and beware the cholla.

 Views out to the desert as we continue climbing.

Still climbing...

Here's the highest point along the hike. Its all downhill from here.

The upper reaches of Goat Canyon have a few dry waterfalls that need to be negotiated or bypassed.

Our first glimpse of the "Seven Sisters" railroad trestles along Carrizo Gorge in the distance.

At last, Goat Canyon Trestle comes into view.

There are still a few treacherous descents ahead of us.

Looking back up the way we came down.

 I made it!

After a lunch break and exploring the area for a bit it was time to continue on our way to the old railroad workers camp.

A group of motorcyclist passed by in one of the tunnels.

Carrizo Creek snakes its way through the gorge below.

I figured it was about time I climb down these derailed box cars...

...without falling off the mountain!

  Just before reaching this tunnel we turn right onto an old road and explore remnants of the construction camps the helped build the railroad.

Site of the railroad workers camp, built from discarded back powder cans during the construction of the railroad. (See my 2012 trip report for this hike to see an earlier photo of this site.)

From here we decided to look for the Blue Sun Cave near Indian Hill.

While traveling cross-country we came upon many areas that had pottery shards strewn about.

Archaeologists tell us that this area has been inhabited as far back as 6,000 years ago by the Kumeyaay and their ancestors.

Of course, left them to let other adventure minded folk find them again.

Native American grinding holes, or morteros.

Indian Hill is a a large rock pile of decomposing granite boulders that lends itself to numerous rock caves and shelters. The Blue Sun Cave gets its name from a blue sun pictograph in side it, along with many others.

We never found the cave. I think we were too far north and after doing some more research, I have a better understanding of were it might be. So that'll be an adventure for another day.

And so our trip comes to an end. Hiking out to Goat Canyon Trestle is truly an epic one-day adventure that I look forward to each year.