My Thoughts on Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge via Mortero Palms
Route to Goat Canyon Trestle via Mortero Palms on AllTrails
There are a lot of things I learned about this hike, so I hope this information becomes valuable to others!
First to get to the trailhead, I used a 2017 Toyota RAV4 AWD. In my activities I created a route that I used on AllTrails to reach the trailhead. I would recommend this over Google or Apple Maps. The railroad crossing is leveled off with gravel and super easy. My route also bypasses a giant mountain rock that would otherwise require a 4WD high access vehicle.
The drive was easy. Avoid rocks sticking out of the path and just take it slow.
As for the hike itself, I was surprised at how visible the trail was. For about 95% of the hike, there is a pathway. All Trails just helped me find it. I did not go to the palms section of the hike. Most of the ascension is just walking.
Once you start your descent into the canyon, things get a little trickier. I wish there was more information to prepare people for this stretch. There are 2 major cliffs to keep an eye out for. The first cliff is really easy to navigate. If you look to your left you’ll see a gentle slope. Climb up the rocks to the left and make your approach.
The final cliff was difficult for me. This is the one that appears right when the bridge comes into view. It’s also where many people turn around because they can’t make their way down. I tried my descent to the left but I cannot recommend the route I took. I found a hard rocky slope that I slid down. On the way back up, I found a sandy slope that could potentially be easier to slide down. At the top of the cliff back track a little and climb up to the right and you should see a sandy slope with some loose rock next to some huge boulders. I’d love to know what other people do here.
As for the bridge itself? Incredible feat of engineering. Super cool history. I loved being the only one there. Dead quiet and eerily peaceful.
Hope this report helps people out!
