Carrizo Gorge is known for the famous Goat Canyon Trestle and the Impossible Railroad. At it's heart it is a remote and rugged wilderness area located within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and BLM Wilderness boundaries.
Surveyors called the San Diego and Arizona Railway (SD&A)
"The Impossible Railroad" because of its jagged, mountainous, and brutal desert route. The financier and driving force behind building this binational 148-mile rail connection to the east from San Diego, California, was businessman John D. Spreckels. Because of his perseverance, the jinxed 1907-1919 construction overcame a series of disasters, including the Mexican Revolution, a prolonged lawsuit, floods, World War I, labor shortages, a tunnel cave-in, and a lethal pandemic. Once up and running, the line was intermittently in and out of service and later sold and renamed the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway. While "The Impossible Railroad" still faced constant challenges and partial closures, freight and trolley service currently operate on its right-of-way, and tourist excursions are still offered at its Campo, California, depot.
The railroad tracks are completely blocked off at the De Anza resort. The old train cars that have been off to the side for decades have been pulled up onto the tracks and are completely blocking access to railway vehicles. They have now become a graffiti headquarters for those who wander past the nudist colony and into the great wide open.
This is a tardy write up from late November excursion, but decided later to add a Yelp business listing. If your wanting an off the beat excursion this is it! read more