After riding for awhile and passing through a few short tunnels, we finally came to the entrance of the first 1/2 mile tunnel. This tunnel has been worked on recently. The entrance has been concreted for support. However, that is only on this end of the tunnel. The other end is still collapsed, which means we won't be riding through this one. If you look back the way we came (not in photo) you can see an old tunnel that is partially collapsed and abandoned. There are tracks inside, but we found no evidence of an opening on the other side of the hill. In fact, as I later found out, this is tunnel #7 which was the site of a serious landslide in 1920. A tremendous amount of work was required to reopen the tunnel. Unfortunately, after the work was completed, a serious fire occured in the tunnel and the ends were dynamited to extinguish the blaze. To read from the original telegrams describing the tunnel work Click Here.
Obviously, the gates leading into this tunnel were not locked. So we decided to explore a little bit. Nice and dark in here, and with only one flashlight, we chose not to go too far. My guess is that they are trying to repair this tunnel (slowly) in hopes of reopening the line for a tourist train. This is the only blocked tunnel between highway 8 and the Goat Canyon Trestle. Personally, I think it would be a wonderful experience to ride a train through this canyon and out into the desert. However, it would be unsafe to bike this route with an operating locomotive on it.
This is a panorama I made from three photos. If you look close, you can see the trail to the left of the tunnel entrance. To continue on to the Goat Canyon trestle you must follow this trail as it winds around the mountain.Panorama software (Opens in new window)
Well, now that we've finished exploring here, it's time to load up and venture along the scenic route. Notice the cholla cactus behind us. We'll be riding through clusters of these as we follow this trail. Both legs and bike tires can be vulnerable to these. So, be careful. You may want to carry extra tubes for the inevitable flat tire from the cactus spines.