The summer of 2006 I was part of a crew that rehabilitated this structure. After decades of abandonment, the stone walls were starting to fall apart, and the pack rats had made nests almost everywhere, so Joshua Tree NP hired our crew to do some preservation work. We were based out of Tumacacori National Historical Park in Southern AZ, and our leader Dave was one of the leading experts of preservation of structures in the Southwest. The newer cement-based mortar you saw is our work. And I hate to confess this, but those sun glasses might mine, I vaguely remember breaking my safety glasses. Working on that "cabin" is one of my great experiences. We had to hike in with all of our tools and gear in the middle of summer (we were a seasonal crew made up by mostly college-aged guys on summer break), our leader and one of the other full-time NPS employees in our crew flew in on a tiny helicopter from Indio, and brought the cement and water for mixing with them (although we still had to bring the water for our own consumption). The job took a couple days of work, so we had to camp out next to the cabin. I remember the temperature dropping quite a bit and it being extremely windy. But the sky was amazing, and you could see all the flights going into LAX. Thank you for sharing this, it brought back a lot of great memories, and it is great to see that it still looks almost exactly like we left it (with the pack rats reclaiming it a bit).

@NotOnDrugs

6 ай бұрын

that's awesome. if you still do this, you need to take videos of it in progress. *i'm jealous!*

@bobzepie

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story. That was a genuinely fantastic read.

@Mikesonbikes

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the hitch!

@JUSTINIAN-SINCE.76

5 ай бұрын

So cool to watch this and part of the crew that restored it. Awesome!

@KadoMason11

4 ай бұрын

That’s awesome dude.

I'm 87 yrs old, you take me to places I can't get to anymore. Thnx 😊

@nickmad887

2 ай бұрын

southerncross same here 73 and bad heart Love watching him.

@pricemcgee8380

11 күн бұрын

@@nickmad887I wish you a long, happy life my friend. This hit of green is for you

Yeah, thanks for the video. I grew up in this environment and as early as 9 years old I was climbing those boulders every single day starting early in the morning. How my parents allowed me to do that, I can't figure but they did and I did. the key was to know every foot hold in each boulder as you climb and to know every hand grip on the boulder. I didn't have one single item of rope or anything to protect from a fall. Also, we raced desert tortoises in the races and I raised them. I taught them to kiss and to allow a head pat. the boulders were the same size and the area was exact. It was Joshua Tree National Monument out in the middle of the Mojave Desert. We had about 4 Neighbours. So, great to see the boulders again I'm almost 72 yrs. now. All the best- VCG

@BustyNCrusty

Жыл бұрын

Pretty neat you recognize the actual area. Sounds like an interesting childhood.

@Budgetbeerdrinker76

Жыл бұрын

I grew up in the same area we use to do a lot of climbing around too.The good old days I’m still living here a lot has changed

@BustyNCrusty

Жыл бұрын

@@Budgetbeerdrinker76 does it get boring living in the middle of the desert?

@jkirch523

Жыл бұрын

Bless you good sir.

@inhaletimetimeinhale2519

Жыл бұрын

THAT SHITS ALL BULLDOZERED OVER AND PISSED AN SHITON NOW. METHHOUSE $500,000 . LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE WENT TO BIGLOTS AND BOUGHT IT OUT. AIRBNB SHITHOLE.

I bet that cabin is somewhat temperature controlled being built under the massive boulder. Probably a little cooler than your average brick and mortar type. Smart miner, hope he struck it big.

@Thelegend-gt5lb

Жыл бұрын

Cold at night, hot in the day, the big rock kept it warm a bit

@robertmcdonald9280

Жыл бұрын

72 degrees.

@Franky566

Жыл бұрын

terible terible terible idea. dude didnt even support the structure. this is death.

@ada-yw1bb

Жыл бұрын

​@john doe : I don't know, seems like it's held up OK.

@richardhague552

Жыл бұрын

@@Franky566 It's still standing 83 years later, clearly, no death...

This is when you take "Living between a rock and a hard place" not just in a literal sense but TO THE MAX!

@danielbryant1539

Жыл бұрын

Yeah he really meant it. But he was very well protected.

@llc1976

Жыл бұрын

Lol

@dejablueguitar

Жыл бұрын

HAHA!!!

@karenthaler7741

Жыл бұрын

lol

@A-Cat-in-Dogtown

Жыл бұрын

MAAA!! Got me there Bud!! 😄

The ingenuity of the guy that built the cabin was fantastic.. over 300 sq feet of living space, with a roof of giant boulders... i like your broad brimmed hat, very useful in the sun baked desert.. thanks for the explore.. 👍👍

@bignove5288

Жыл бұрын

Yeah the old timers were amazing. I really wish I took more interest in helping my grandfather work before he died because he could make anything from nothing

@sorellman

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, but he can't deny it now. He does live under a rock.

In Coober Pedy, South Australia people who mine Opal still live in houses like this. They're called Dugouts and cut out of Sandstone

I appreciate your respect for this old mining camp. You very carefully inspected the old artifacts and then very carefully placed them back in the same position that you found them in. If everyone would do the same then many years from now young explorers will be enjoying the same camp. A true explorer !

@ringo999999

9 ай бұрын

Not at all, look closely, not a single thing was put back as it had been.

@Johnketes54

5 ай бұрын

​@@ringo999999I was going to point that out but probably a bit Pedantic, On the same shelf with care?

@PreservationEnthusiast

Ай бұрын

Why do you have to put it back in the same place. It's just a load of old abandonned junk belonging to nobody. Take what you want, use what you want.

I bet that was a tidy cabin when in use, you can tell a lot of effort went in to it.

I really appreciate the way he looked at everything put it back right where it was and be so respectful of the original owner

@gizzyguzzi

Жыл бұрын

maybe some of that stuff belonged to the original owner. Or not

@bendover4154

Жыл бұрын

I live on a ranch near Monument Valley Arizona & not far from my front door is evidence of an ancient Anasazi encampment. (Black & white potyery) Every time it rains, more is uncovered. Not being an archeologist, I'm forced to leave it alone. I admit I've taken hundreds of photos over the years but I at least have the sense to leave everything as-is. I often wonder about the people that lived here long before me. Seeing the same landscape everyday and the same stars at night. I bet they would find it quite funny how I cherish / respect their garbage pile. It's amazing how well the pottery has endured the exposure in the desert and the 1,500-2,000 years It's lasted. Simply pouring water on it to wash off the dirt, the finish is as new. And they did it with nearby clay & fire! Rather amazing. So yeah, I get why he leaves everything exactly as he finds it.

@CTLive

11 ай бұрын

I dont… why must he touch everything, its a fugging disease with people, if its not yours DONT TOUCH!!!

@ringo999999

9 ай бұрын

And here I was thinking how everything was placed back in a different place and position than where it was picked up seconds ago, not hard to just put it back sorta how you found it, especially if you are using the word "artefact".

@joeylamp_holder2013

5 ай бұрын

@@ringo999999 yeah I noticed it too. Im like man i really like this guys discovery and adventurous nature, but he sure doesnt put stuff back "how" he found it.

I believe that is the coolest abandoned place I've ever seen,thank you!!

You need to carry a large mirror to reflect sunlight to look down shafts etc. Thar drum you saw with "rails" around was actually a tumbler for grinding ore. It was probably partially filled with metal rods that rattled around as it rolled thusly busting the rocks.

@jelloshot

Күн бұрын

he could use one of those foldable photography reflectors

It boggles the mind…. I’m in awe of the “stuff” those brave, resilient souls were made of. This is what helped to make America the great country it was. Wonder if there is any possible way to figure out who the amazing person was who did all that. Just Incredible. How I hope this place remains untouched…humans have such a propensity for not leaving things as they found them.

Great video! I wasn’t going to comment but after seeing you around the mine shaft I have to. I’m a native Nevadan - explored more than my share of old excavation sites. NEVER, EVER EVER EVER trust the metal grates or ANY shaft covers! They have been out in the elements for decades- they will and DO fail. Again, cool video and thank you.

Really cool. I’m shocked it hasn’t been vandalized. Thanks for the vid

The funny looking barrels were for mercury. They were so heavy they had to be rolled. Hence the steel rings around the sides.

Next level explore my friend. Once in a lifetime find with that cabin. You never disappoint.

Pretty awesome shrine to the man who built and lived there.

that cabin would probably go for $300,000 in today's housing market

In London that would be "Bijou fully furnished apartment. £5,000 a month"

That was really cool! Glad you didn't meet any rattle snakes up there.

@MrMauiWaui2

6 күн бұрын

Or Tremors!

@andyamysarizonaadventures5450

6 күн бұрын

@@MrMauiWaui2 😂

That cabin built like that was extremely cool - thanks for sharing that trip with us !!

Amazing shack dude. Thank you for taking me there!

That was a cool cabin and neat artifacts. Beautiful place out there

I've got two acres of mountain in MT and up at the back of my land are some "diggins." Looks like maybe a couple of guys working a 10 by 10 small pit sometime in the 1960's based upon what I found in terms of trash. I got a couple pieces and a railroad spike sharpened in the garage. It's kind of neat...

Really neat adventure! The picture quality is really enjoyable. Thanks for taking us all along with you!

Anyone who can build a shelter in the Mojave, is quite a survivor! Great video, just subscribed. I love the American South West!💕🇺🇸

@InternetJury

11 ай бұрын

Huh. Build a shelter in the Mojave? Do you know how many people call the Mojave Desert home?

@19eightyforeisnow

7 ай бұрын

It would seem you missed op's intended point.

That turtle was lunch! I bet it was cool in there during a hot Mojave desert day! Thank you for sharing this...cool stuff!

The ingenuity of some people is incredible. Thanks for the tour. I’d love that as an escape spot to hang out in.

Watching this really makes me miss my time living in the southwest and all the exploring I used to do ! Thanks for the vid.

Thanks for showing us all your adventure!

That was a sweet adventure we went on.

How cool is that!!!! Wish we could hear that cabin tell some stories!! I'm so grateful to have your channel pop up on my feed! Thank you for the awesome field trip!!! Can't wait to watch more videos! God Bless You, stay safe, have fun!!! 🙏❤️🙏

That cabin has to be the coolest thing I have ever seen. Thank you for the video.

I'm a forest person. Deserts are something to drive through to get to the trees on the other side. Desertscapes are beautiful, for sure. I've seen them in bloom and ice. But, I can't handle the heat and dryness. Thanks for sharing. new subscriber

@bromethiustrilbotbromeldeh6625

Жыл бұрын

Yeah same.

@tangomike15

Жыл бұрын

You can’t beat the night sky that that dry clear air offers you.

@keithwhittington1322

Жыл бұрын

@@tangomike15 and spectacular rainbows

@biggusdickus2166

4 күн бұрын

i visited tucson in march this year and it was very nice actually. Not too hot and the desert was pretty green that time of year. Im not much of an explorer though, i mostly just flipped rocks looking for scorpions and giant centipedes lol As for tuscon the town- its a bit of a parking lot and a homeowners association hell. Still would visit again

You seem to amaze me with the artifacts you find good job.

What are those secret compartments in that huge boulder!? Hammer and chisel my man. A perfect spot to put your keys and a bottle and phone!!

I think piece with most history there is that bucket at 14:44. Anyone can take look at that bucket and see it's been worked, hard. The top is busted and bent as well the bottom, various dents on sides. That bucket looks like its been attached to a belt or person by rope and dragged. It probably hauled all the mix to build the homestead. I wouldn't be surprised if that bucket held whatever he found mining inside the makeshift shafts. Today we would probably use a nice tough well built backpack but but then that was not a option. And looking at this scene the builder wasn't a person that could afford mining tracks and carts. And that bucket is hung up sturdy right by the door. I am gonna guess that bucket was center piece behind this operation X amount of years ago.

@geoffholmes7291

4 ай бұрын

Great observation and insight into the possible struggle of everyday tasks in this life choice. As I'm sure the choice to work alone would offer enough struggle to deter most sane men looking for a fair earned dollar. Evidence of an obsession is the most likely explanation for this life choice. I wonder if small remote claims like this are available today? If anyone has reliable information regarding the availability of this type of outpost.

How much is rent when can I move in

Awesome! I grew up & spent the first 17 years of my life in the Mojave Desert. I have lived in Hinkley, Barstow & Blythe, CA. Bullhead City Arizona & before moving to Southern Illinois, .. I lived in Needles California. Bullhead City, Blythe & needles get extremely hot in the summertime! I like the beautiful mysterious desert. The desert is unlike any place on Earth! You never know what type of strangeness you may come across? You might Find find a body or, some treasure, a Cryptid, something Supernatural or, maybe even some UFOs? Be careful and be prepared for anyting ,..if you decide to go exploring in the Mojave Desert!👍🇺🇸

@michellekrueger5122

Жыл бұрын

My husband agrees with you 100 % the Mojave , beautiful,dangerous, ....full of life...he lived out there 12 years ....looking to go off grid ,and cut a under ground home....

This video is like a love letter to the wanderers, the explorers, and the adventurers

Just a wonderful life this man must have had in one of the coolest dwellings I've seen in my State. Thanks for sharing!

I still use an egg beater like that one. Got a collection of them. Probably about 8 different ones.

@lancepeterson5408

Жыл бұрын

Somebody is gonna take that someday. Its a antique.

If you look on the bottom of older Coke bottles, they stamp the location where it was bottled. Nice stuff. Thanks for bringing us along.

Amigo,esos eran hombres de mucho valor,sin miedo a la Soledad ni al fracaso ,aventureros y decididos ,te felicito excelente aventura , saludos desde Monterrey México

@BROKEBOYS720

5 ай бұрын

saludos desde los angeles

It is literally a museum ❤

Awesome video and explore Jerith! That cabin was amazing! And I loved the 2nd natural cave that you found with the 'built in shelves'. Was really hoping you would find some kind of signs that humans had been there and used it. Bummer on the mine itself, but I am sure you will find some more great mines to explore.

“Gly”: Very nice find! I’m guessing the ammunition can was a geocache? The barrel with the two big iron bands around it is a mercury barrel. Mercury, especially when transported in a barrel of that size is very heavy and to move it around it was rolled on its side on those iron bands. The iron bands also helped maintain the barrel’s structural integrity. The age of that barrel is approximately 1905 - 1920 and many were repurposed throughout the 1920’s and 30’s for many different things.

@RRaucina

11 ай бұрын

Mercury is too heavy for a drum like that and the barrel walls too thin. Mercury used very specific cast iron flasks for transport.

@19eightyforeisnow

7 ай бұрын

It's part of an ore grinder, or at least a previous post stated that it was.

Very Cool Hide-Out & Great Journey !

living in something like this is the dream

I like the sound of solitude.

Awesome find and Awesome video.your work and efforts come through in your video. Keep up the great job. 😎

Great video mate. Well done from the UK.

It amazes me that you can get down those steep and craggy rocks!

Thanks for the adventure ❤️🙌

Thanks as always love your vlogs

" Where have you been?, Living under a rock?" " Wellll.. actually.. "

I enjoyed this vid. I will say though, I was holding my breath every step you made into these house and through brush thinking some big ole snake was going to strike out, and you being so far out in the wilderness!

Excellent... Thanks for the really cool video... You were very respectful of the Boulder cabin ...

That cabin is just flat out amazing. Extraordinary! Great video. Thank you.

Always check the pockets LOL :D

That was awesome! I really enjoyed seeing and learning about the cabin. Thank you for sharing.😊

That was amazing, watching from Australia

Very cool. Thanks for the tour. Hope you tell people where you are going. A little slip and a broken leg could be a big problem.

I just hope you closed the door when you left the cabin so it could stay in good shape, very nice find!

@WesternMineDetective

Жыл бұрын

Yep, sure did! Don't want critters or water, etc to get in there. Thanks for watching!

@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503

Жыл бұрын

@@WesternMineDetective I think someone had that turtle for lunch! Turtle was a popular dish in California late 1800s into the 1920s. San Francisco restaurants served turtle! Eric Underwood Class of 81 Downey High school CA ✌️

@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503

Жыл бұрын

Turtle not tortoise's was a delicacy... just saying ✌️ But to a hungry miner I guess tortoise would taste pretty damn good!

Thanks for sharing

Wow such a massive effort 👌 to create this living space under those huge bolders ❤❤❤

Kinda wanna move in… looks peaceful.

That barrel @ 5:54 is a Mercury barrel. The beefy ribs were because Mercury is very heavy. Cool find.

Thanks for posting and sharing.

That's really cool. I love the desert and old mining sites like this. Thanks for posting.

I'm just curious why you didn't look in the ammo container?

@andrewdaley5480

Жыл бұрын

He's smart that's why. Could of been booby trapped.

Nice exploration.

Those caves looked like "The Flintstone's house. 😊

Best light you can have to look into a tight space is a vehicle mirror, as big as practical. Nothing beats the sun.

That was a really cool cave/cabin. Imagine sleeping in the bed and that massive bolder falls on you. You’d be flat as a piece of paper

@joelnolan7642

Жыл бұрын

still better than paying rent

What were they mining? I know of a few other places where the boulders the size of a bus, then tumbled down on top of each other, creating large rooms. The whole thing above a creek, with a large slab like a patio. Awesome!!!!

This was fascinating. Thank you for sharing

Cool show. Thanks for the tour.

When you said "lets go check out the mineshaft" I looked the the remaining time of the video and was surprised it was so little time left. I understood why when I saw the ladder down the shaft.. lol

Thank you for being so careful and sympathetic to the environment and what was. I had a great time between the age of 12 and 27 walking many many miles through the Mojave back country. Now I take my son with me. He is just as inspired and just as fascinated as you. Smashed the thumb and Sub'd 😊 Thank you. David

A real man cave

Love the pictures!

So glad I found you. I do much the same here in AZ. Totally get the excitement of the hunt! You do a good job and show respect to all aspects. Best wishes.

Cool explore dude!

Don't tell anyone where this is at. People ruin everything

Between a rock and a hard place. 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

Awesome job, I just finished watching this and commend you for a job well done.. Thank you for leaving it the way you found it, and your respect for it. And for that I respect you… Not to many people like that nowadays.. I look forward to seeing more and more videos from you in the future. And I hope that you always let people or family know when and where you’re going and travel with atleast one if not more people.. Keep up the great work!!!

광야의 경이로움.미국서부는 축복이다.(대자연).

Not exactly what I would call a castle, but pretty impressive!

@InternetJury

11 ай бұрын

Heh. Lol... that's literally the name of the place, sort of.

That is awesome....would love to live like that!!!

Great find brother. Awesome cabin. Thanks for sharing.

I'm surprised you didn't run into Wonderhussy in that cabin .

@WesternMineDetective

Жыл бұрын

Haha it is a place she'd tend to go for sure!

@robertlyman9789

Жыл бұрын

Shaving her arm pits!

very nice video

I tried and failed to find this cabin! Lucky you, brother!

I found some rock shelters outside Joshua Tree....I can’t wait to return

Amazing. Did you sample the black sand on the way back?

@johnmudd6453

5 ай бұрын

Yup it tasted good

That cabin looks like it was built by a Hobbit!

Now that is a very cool cabin. thanks for showing.

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.