Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

I wouldn't recommend this is the summer (or bring sun protection and a ton of water). You'll need a 4x4 or AWD to get to the trailhead. We were fine in a Subaru.

The trail is often hard to find, make sure you bring a map or reliable GPS.

A good, even trail with some cobbles, trail-finding issues, and a bit of scrambling.

From the parking lot, head back up the road until you see the trail heading off to your left. The trail starts out clean and obvious and then maneuvers through boulders heading up towards the stand of palms. Enjoy this little oasis and then either scramble up the dry creek bottoms or head back and look for a trail to your left (north) to avoid any technical scrambling.

After this, the trail flattens out a bit then heads uphill. Make sure you watch for the trail when it cuts left away from the dry creek bed early in the ascent.

You enter a wide flatter area for the next mile. The trail can be a little braided and unclear through here, so keep a sharp lookout. You can use the Trail Run Project mobile app to help make sure you stay on course.

The trail will veer right towards a steep sided gorge. From relatively open running, the walls of the gorge rise to either side of you the further you go. The trail can be steep here, but there's nothing too technical.

Finally, you are presented with a great view of the world's tallest wood trestle bridge. There are trails that continue on from here but as it is illegal to infringe on the right-of-way of the railroad so it is not recommended that you explore this enticing bit of California history any closer.

Rosy boa and other cool desert creatures. Lots of birds were flitting around.