Carrizo Gorge California Feb 4-5

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Dec 26 2011 12:24 pm

Looking really for a car shuttle or drop off driver along with fellow hiker(s) if it works out. I have several sources in San Diego I can hit up but one guy I know for sure won't do the trek. It'll be moderately rough bushwacking, illegal immigrant avoiding, rock hopping, etc. Here are a couple of links to check out. Be sure and look at some of the pics.
This date can be changed. A lot depends on how my ankle is holding up also. It's short distance wise but I plan on making in an overnight to see some of the sights. Jerry Shad in his book Afoot and Afield in San Diego rates this as a five star hike.

http://www.stowell.org/carrizo99/

http://members.trainorders.com/cimascra ... /index.htm

CANCELED: I'm out at this time. May change, but I doubt it. If still interested Randal Schulhauser has a trip in that area that weekend--PM him.

Randal_Schulhauser · Post by **Randal_Schulhauser** » Dec 26 2011 1:42 pm

Goat Canyon Trestle as been on the "TO DO " list for some time. Making those dates work will be the challenge...

http://www.anzaborrego.net/Travel/AnzaB ... stle-.aspx

http://www.stowell.org/trestle2000/traveloguemain.htm

http://www.anzaborrego.net/Travel/AnzaB ... sited.aspx

http://photos.anzaborrego.net/travel/An ... rrizoGorge

http://www.sdrm.org/history/sda/history.html

http://www.carrizogorgerailway.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xkBPP8_ ... ata_player

Are trains still running across the Goat Canyon Trestle?

PLC92084 · Post by **PLC92084** » Dec 26 2011 3:48 pm

@RedRoxx44
Nail down the dates and I can probably help with the carpool situation... My 4Runner will carry 4 plus gear.

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Dec 29 2011 5:16 pm

This trip will be mostly in the gorge. Supposedly the rail system operator is in bankruptcy; rumor only. The tracks are a bail out option if the going gets real rough below, and it could, with very intense brush probably. There is a chance I would suppose of encountering enforcement.

PLC92084 · Post by **PLC92084** » Dec 29 2011 6:21 pm

Brush doesn't worry me as much as cactus and catclaw.... Since I'm a legal resident, I'm not worried about enforcement. The reports I've read about this route indicate two nights (short trek on third day...). Pretty sure it can be done with one night (as stated) and two (probably) long(ish) days.. I presume we'll be starting early Sat on the 4th of Feb? If so, I'll make arrangements...

Randal_Schulhauser · Post by **Randal_Schulhauser** » Dec 29 2011 9:54 pm

Goat Canyon Trestle

See that the YouTube train video is from the Carizzo Gorge Railway Inc website => http://www.carrizogorgerailway.com/ on the “About Us” page (be patient and the train video will load in a few seconds)...

I’ve been trying to discern the legal status of the Carizzo Gorge Railway (CZRY) and relationship with San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway Company (SDAE).

01 CZRY ownership2.pdf: Goat Canyon Trestle ownership; (40.34 KiB) Downloaded 38 times

02 FPN_Filing[1] 25Jul2008.pdf: Embargo filing; (14.11 KiB) Downloaded 52 times

03 Embargo Press Release_101008.pdf: Embargo response by CZRY; (30.4 KiB) Downloaded 61 times

Use caution given the vintage dates of these posts I found on http://www.westcoastrailforums.com and http://www.psrm.org/

See the attached references...

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Dec 30 2011 5:20 am

Yes, early on the 4th; I'll drive over on Fri evening and car camp somewhere in the vicinity---probably as far along the Carrizo Gorge corridor as is prudent. As stated the road gets pretty rough toward the end. I would not take my vehicle all the way as big washouts and boulders but it only adds like less than a quarter mile to the hike. We could meet up there then leave early on the 4th to go around and start the trek.
The tracks have been posted No Trespass as long as I can remember. Yet many people have made the track trek whether by foot or mtn bikes.

Also the actual start may vary, not sure if the resort will let us park there or not.

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Dec 30 2011 5:27 am

Sort of funny story on the Mortero Palms route to the train trestle. I took a coworker, new to California, from Connecticut, on this hike. We were meeting a small group coming up the tracks from the easy route. He was much younger than me and in good shape. He jumped off some rock in the Palms area and hurt his ankle. We taped it up and I gave him ibuprofen and he decided to go on despite my warning about the terrain. His ankle swelled so much he had a painful gimpy time of it even just walking the tracks out which is the way we took him. Back at the car iced him down. He missed 3 days of work and turned out had an avulsion fracture at the ATFL. My boss was furious with me and put a caricature of my head up on the bulletin board with the circle and cross hatch thru it and said "NO HIKING WITH HER EVER" to staff. He healed up fine.

PLC92084 · Post by **PLC92084** » Dec 30 2011 8:57 am

RedRoxx44 wrote:not sure if the resort will let us park there or not

I can't see there being a problem. A small fee would even be reasonable (as long as they don't want the shirts off our backs...)

Edit: I'm checking with the resort to see what they say. Will update on reply once I receive it...

PLC92084 · Post by **PLC92084** » Dec 30 2011 1:20 pm

Parking at the resort won't be a problem. They have a standard $5.00 fee for secure parking at the trail head. I'm not sure about the other end at the Hot Springs, yet. I'll work on getting more information...

stickman · Post by **stickman** » Dec 30 2011 1:55 pm

I have been wanting to do this hike for some time, I live in San Diego and have been in the gorge many, many times. Do not underestimate the catcalw, you will need a machete. I have ample vehicle to haul gear for several people and know the area very well.

Count me in!

I have quite a few pictures from the gorge area

http://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/ ... 002_f5FFKD
http://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/ ... 118_8qs9Tc

Some trip reports also
http://www.sefcik.com/2011/04/sacatone- ... gorge.html
http://www.sefcik.com/2010/04/sacatone- ... -hike.html
http://www.sefcik.com/2011/10/carrizo-g ... anyon.html
http://www.sefcik.com/2011/02/carrizo-g ... parts.html

Looking south from down in Carrizo Gorge. This about 2 miles south of Goat Canyon where the train trestle is

The Boder Patrol helicopters will buzz you when you set off the buried sensors

The old train wheels down in the gorge

Railway car left on the tracks

PLC92084 · Post by **PLC92084** » Dec 30 2011 2:55 pm

Welcome to HAZ, Stickman! :welcome:

stickman · Post by **stickman** » Dec 30 2011 3:15 pm

Thanks for the welcome..

I should also just mention (from my personal experience in the gorge) that the reason Schad removed this hike from his more recent versions of his books is because the route as he and the Stowewell group experienced just does not exist anymore. There is no path or trail, the cattle are gone and there is only thick, thick catclaw in the gorge. Expect to travel about 1 mph or less. The undocumented travelers use the railway tracks and do not go down below. The tuna cans and numerous small campfire rock rings on the tracks will attest to this.

Also, I personally would not leave my car overnight or for multiple days at the end of the Carrizo Gorge dirt road, instead I would recommend leaving it at the Bow Willow Campground and plan to hike the 6 sandy miles to the campground. The road is mostly sandy up to the East Fork, after that it gets rocky, rough and full of brush..expect pinstripes on your vehicle if you go that route.

If you can arrange a pickup and are feeling pretty good, you could hike up the East Fork and continue over to Indian Hill and get picked up there. Again, I would not leave a vehicle parked there. This route would take you past an old railway camp and the Indian Hill pictograph site.

Another interesting post you may like about hiking the length of the gorge: http://deathvalleyhikerasso.homestead.c ... tion1.html

Anyway, just my thoughts and suggestions as you plan your trip, the gorge is an awesome place!

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Dec 31 2011 6:30 am

There has never been a trail in the gorge I know of. It will be thick brush for sure, the kind you turn your back into at times or crawl under. I will volunteer to leave my vehicle at the end of the road and can shuttle if others want to leave at
Bow Willow camp. I too have beenin this area many times and dodged some 4wheeler shooters last year down in the gorge at the east end. I plan on bringing some clippers for the spots where you are held hostage. Bashing through some of the willow type vegetation will take a toll too.
I have encountered a total of probably 40 illegal immigrants in the late 90s early 2000s along the trestle route.No problems.

stickman · Post by **stickman** » Dec 31 2011 7:57 am

If you are still looking for another hiker and 4WD truck I would like to join you. I live in San Diego so the drive is just over an hour for me to the gorge.

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Jan 01 2012 6:30 pm

You are welcome to come along, and 4wd is always handy! I do plan to drive in Fri nite ( I will not be leaving south of Tucson until soonest 3:00) and up along the gorge on the east end as far as I reasonably can. I have a lifted, 4wd Toyota FJ with a winch. And it has a ton of pin striping and a loose side mirror with tons of cholla in the tires after this weekend. Anyone is welcome to join me at camp, or if camping at Bow Willow I would appreciate someone come down and pick me up Sat am as early as you would like. That way I can take you guys to your cars at Bow Willow or around to the resort depending on how many we have. You San Diegan's I would expect to come down early Sat am but ya'll can come camp if you like!!

nonot · Post by **nonot** » Jan 15 2012 3:07 pm

I didn't realize what weekend this was. So I will have to cancel myself from this one. Another time perhaps!

rwstorm · Post by **rwstorm** » Jan 15 2012 6:13 pm

I have decided to do this as a car camp and day hike at a later time instead. Plus, I didn't realize it is Super Bowl weekend, so I'll stay near home.

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Jan 16 2012 12:29 pm

Bone scan results back. At this time I am cancelling this trip, maybe I'll heal faster than I'm told. Pain in the butt. See initial post.

PLC92084 · Post by **PLC92084** » Jan 16 2012 1:22 pm

Bummer about the foot, girl! Take it easy so it will heal... Give a shout when you plan to come back to the neighborhood!

Carrizo Gorge California Feb 4-5

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