One of the best ways to allow early public access without much cost could be to build an official rail trail. While there already is a Goat Canyon Trail, it requires climbing up rocky canyons and over huge boulders and is thus not for the faint of heart. This is one of the primary reasons why people hike along the tracks, as it provides the easiest journey to the Goat Canyon Trestle. However, most people who hike there begin at the De Anza Springs Resort, which lies about 6 ½ miles south of the Trestle. 

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This is a problem because not only does it require the longest walk, but also passes through ten tunnels, some of which are quite long, thus making it unsafe for both hikers, bikers and future train crews when trains start to run again. A much better start point is following the tracks from Dos Cabezas Road. This route is only 5 ¼ miles, and provides both the best views of the Gorge and best features of the railroad. Like most of the route, a narrow trail was built alongside the track to allow work crews to construct and maintain the tracks and tunnels.

 

The trail that parallels the tracks between Dos Cabezas Road and Goat Canyon Trestle only passes through five tunnels, most of which are relatively short and the sixth, Tunnel 16, can be bypassed using the narrow trail once used by work crews. If this route were turned into a designated rail trail with markers, a safety fence on either side of the trail to protect it from the tracks and cliff edge, and bypass trails constructed around the other tunnels, it could provide a much more direct and safer route to the Trestle for hikers and bikers alike.

 

This is merely meant to be "food for thought" and does not condone hiking along the train tracks. As stated earlier it is trespassing and you thus risk getting fined if caught. Please stay away from the tracks!