Logistics | Topo Maps | Photographs

Distance: 5.0 miles round trip

Total Elevation Gain: 1285 feet

Best Times: November through May

Hiking time: 5.5 hours round-trip

Driving Directions: (See topo maps for more detail))

If you are traveling from Los Angeles, take I-5 or I-15 south to I-8 in San Diego. From there, take I-8 east through the Laguna mountains to the Ocotillo exit. Turn left. A half mile later, the road will swing you left again so that you are heading west. After a stop sign, look for the overhead power lines a few miles ahead. Drive 0.85 miles after going under the power lines to a sign post on the left that reads "Dos Cabezos". Turn left on this road (south). Warning: Further travel requires four-wheel drive and moderate clearance. Follow the road a little over a mile; it will turn you back west. Keep to the well-used portions of this dirt-track road. At one point you will be very close to the railroad tracks, then the tracks veer away again until you come across a worn, paved crossing. Once across the tracks, turn right, drive about 150 yards, then take a left away from the tracks. Keep left at the next two intersections. At the third junction, you will see on the right a sign for the Mortero Palms wash. Follow this a quarter mile to the trailhead.

On Foot:

Start hiking at the Mortero Palms trailhead. Head west through the obvious wash, noting the canyon that splits off south-by-southwest. This canyon houses the Mortero Palms, and is worthy of a visit on the return trip (see topo maps). Follow the stone cairns, or "ducks". Skirt northwest over a small ridge, traverse a contour, then head up a ridge. The trail (which isn't much more than a series of cairns; it is very easy to lose - follow the topo map.) turns you back southwest to a flatter, sandier overlook.

Head generally west, twice dipping briefly back into the Mortero Wash. At about 2800 feet, the trail heads sharply up a ridge to a saddle which marks the high point of the trail at 3300 feet. The trail is relatively clear as you head west and descend into the Goat Canyon. Some sandy, flat spots can be found that are ideal for spending the night if you are backpacking. The trail becomes rather steep through the drainage, keep right if the footing is questionable. At about 2700 feet the trestle abruptly comes into view, and the trail ends for all but the most hardcore hikers.