Hike the Big Fill Loop Trail
Golden Spike National Historical Park
*See-Audio Tour in the "Self-Guided Tours" green tile on the main page* The Big Fill Loop Trail is a one mile and a half round-trip walking trail. Visitors walk on original Central Pacific grade and return on the Union Pacific grade. The trail showcases the Central Pacific's Big Fill and the abutments that once supported the Union Pacific's Big Trestle. Walk through cuts, over fills, and see drill marks where workers blasted rock away. Keep in mind, all of this was accomplished by simple tools, sweat, and an amazing amount of endurance. Things you should know before you go... The Big Fill Trail follows the old railroad paths where tracks once ran. You’ll start on the Central Pacific route and return on the Union Pacific route. The trail is a 1.5-mile loop and usually takes 1–1.5 hours to walk. Bring plenty of water. Summer temperatures often reach the 90s and can go over 100°F. There is no shade, so wear sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing. Watch your footing because the trail can be uneven. Stay on the marked trail to protect plants, wildlife, and historic areas. Do not disturb wildlife. If bad weather approaches, return to your vehicle or find shelter right away. Do not remove anything from the park. Leave artifacts and interesting items where they are, and report damage or important finds to a ranger. An Epic Story The Big Fill Trail shows the incredible hard work and engineering skills of the railroad workers who built it. The land here was extremely rough, making this one of the hardest sections both the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads had to construct. As you walk the trail, remember that everything was built completely by hand. The 1–1.5 hour walk you take today took workers about three months to build. The trail is only a small part of the larger story of the transcontinental railroad, which stretched 1,776 miles from Omaha, Nebraska, to Sacramento, California. It remains one of the greatest engineering achievements in American history. (The numbers below correspond with points of interest markers along the trail. Companion booklets are available for purchase in the park store, located in our Visitor Center.) 1. Steep Grade and the Orange Special Legend Directly across from where you step onto the railroad grade is a plaque referencing the so-called “Orange Special” wreck. While no direct historical evidence confirms that this wrec…
