Hey neighbor, I'm Bob I have lived in Searles valley for the last 45 years and I have been following your videos ever since you bought Cero Gordo. I remember when it came up for sale and a friend said I should buy the mine. Needless to say it was a little outside my price range, and I am glad to see someone with vision like you end up with it. So much of our history in the area has been neglected, vandalized, or forgotten. I use to go all over exploring the mountains, mines and ghost towns but time has caught up with me and I no longer am capable of hiking like I use to. I am really impressed with this video, this is an area I have never explored and as with all of your videos I found it interesting and educational. I hope to some day to make it up to Cero Gordo some day to meet you soon. Thanks for posting this and all your videos I do in joy them. Good Health and keep up the great work.
😊 Great comment! You have a lot of insight on what it takes to relocate and revive a lost civilization . Which is very important when coming across postingings that are familiar with your own life indevevours and interests. Good luck in the future and what an exciting life . I envy !
@GhostTownLiving For $731,000 it was a steal! Great score! I've got a newspaper from 1957 that has a great 4 page article on your mine when it was shutting down. Let me know of you want it, otherwise it'll make great kindling 😊
Dang brother, you are reliving my childhood. I stayed in that Managers house around 1969, or 70. My dad , with the mining degree, called that mine the "Catacombs" and that's how I remember that mining system. Those Inyo mountains are full of minerals!
You know what truly struck me from that video? How good you've become at editing and producing them. I got caught up in details such as how we can hear you walk, even from afar from those magnificent drone shots. The music and atmosphere you create that is on point. Even the intro that was perfect to start this journey you took us along with. It was magnficient.
@@Boppsta712 technically correct, but here used in the sense of "changed what History would otherwise have been." "Changed history" sounds better and conveys the same thought.
I love this place. I used to visite it once or twice a year 1999-2003. Every time we went up we would repair fix or paint things to keep it nice for every one to enjoy.
I am heading there this weekend from Phoenix to finally explore the town and to offer my glass replacement services to fix 4 to maybe 8 windows that might be broken on the property. 🎉
Almost 100 years later, my old Model A Fords still have Champion spark plugs in them. Beautiful scenery and a fascinating story. Keep up the amazing work Brent!!
We were there in 2009, my wife and her parents along with our 3 young sons. We stayed a week in absolute peace, the only thing we left were supplies and notes in the log books (and the beginnings of some outdoor art). Its a special place to our family, please appreciate the folks that have kept it alive for so many years.
Irish, would ya be now? Plenty of Irish worked in the mines when nobody else would do it - from Appalachia to Butte Montana to California. One of my distant cousins leveraged his business partner, Albert Champion out of the Champion Spark Plug company. Champion restarted, and went on to build plugs under the brand name of AC -which we know today as AC-Delco.
It's great that people leave the museum in tact so that others can enjoy. I was always taught to leave things for other's enjoyment with their families.
@@AnotherAyushRaj true! I was more worried about the type of people that trash/graffiti. I feel like being at the elevation it's at, it keeps the rough crowd out.
I know you get thousands of comments but this old man from Michigan just wanted to thank you so very much and all involved for these videos. I may never get out that way so I appreciate more than you will ever know. So a million Thank You's to you and all and please stay safe out there and wish you all the best. Happy trails 👣
Wow! That lower camp looks amazing. So cool to see something like this. Glad it's a hike to get there as that probably protects it a bit. Just so impressed at how well maintained it is. Shoutout to anyone helping maintain things like this for future generations to enjoy!! The art is hilarious. Beautiful views! Thank you for taking us along on this adventure 🙏
Thanks Brent, as a young man 10 or 11 my dad worked for UCSB Geology Dept. We were able to drive just shy of the lower camp. We toured the mine with geology students for a quite a few years. I was surprised to see how the roads have deteriorated over the years. I was pleased to see that the lower camp is still in good shape. I follow you in your endeavors to rebuild Cerro Gordo mining district and hope to visit some day soon. Best wishes and be safe in your mine explorations.
Wow! That would have made this adventure a lot easier to drive up that far haha. How was the trail to the upper mine back then? It's pretty washed out these days.
I was young back then, so I didn’t think it was in bad shape. But that was 50 years ago. We took a lot of geology students and professors up to the mine. Brought back memories on the tunnel that dead ends at the cliff face. I remember it was a great view.
Thank you for visiting that mine. In the article you showed at 2:16 my great-grandfather, George W. Clarkson is mentioned. He was the superintendent of the Champion Spark Plug Mine for the last 10 years of its operation. Sillimanite was also used for sanitary ware, like bowls used in hospitals or dentist's offices. I will never make it to the mine as I physically cannot do the hike so it was nice to see you walking where my great-grandfather once walked. If you want to see what Grandpa George looked like, he is the man on the right, in the black and white portrait, of the mural painted on the north side of Amigos in Bishop.
Brent, man oh man, you leave me speechless sometimes. I have a small gold claim outside of Oatman, Arizona. I will never forget the first 2 years I spent studying the geology of the area, putting thousands of miles on my side by side exploring, digging deep into the mining documents and history of all that went into the mining era back then, and I discovered something that to me was bigger than gold itself. It is the romance of almost wishing we could step back into time for a day and live what they lived, to experience all of the sweat and blood and sacrifice that came with a very special time in history. It's a love story in and of itself. Your preservation, passion, love, craft and thirst for knowledge is such a refreshing thing to behold. Thank you for bringing us along all of your journey's. Simply outstanding, sir.
After graduating from college my wife and I moved to the east side 40 years ago and we still live there. Prior to the fire at the upper level, there was a huge cook stove. I will look for some of our pictures. There as a out house on the edge of a cliff. There was nothing below. My wife would not sit on the throne because it was about 200' feet down. She refused to go until we got back to the lower camp. I sat on the throne looking down between my legs and yelled Bombs Away!
Brents knowledge and prior study to the areas makes these exploration videos that much better. Its not just watching someone wonder, its like having insights from a tour guide. Love these Brent!
At least 4 years of watching your videos you still are putting out the best video commentary and soundtrack of anybody else. Really enjoy hiking with you on your Ventures. Also your drone shots are very very cool. Keep up the good work but stay safe bro
My dad, sister, and I stayed in that cabin about 10 years ago. Beautiful place. I’m glad to see it hasn’t changed. Saw a LOT of mountain lion evidence around the lower camp so be advised.
Such gorgeous skies and mind blowing views, to think that men lived and worked in such a place so that others of their kind could have an easier life. We have gotten too far away from an appreciation of mankind's history. You help to bring it back to life. Thank you.
I'm an underground hard rock gold miner. The minerals we mine are in all the tech that people use today. People don't stop to think about the us working thousands of feet underground, to provide for our families, and to also provide the world with precious metals that make everything go. As technology advances, so does the demand. Breaking rock is one of the coolest jobs I've ever done. Been at it for almost 20 years now. We play with explosives and put our health and lives on the line every day just to get these minerals. Wouldn't have it any other way.
In 1969 I lived at the Power Plant, Division Creek Ca. We drove motorcycles walked and hiked to a lot of the mines. There's one in particular that had dynamite in it and my cousin decided he was going to take it home. Dumb idea his dad found out because I told him, and his dad got the dynamite and put it in Division Creek intake Creek to get rid of all of the nitroglycerin out of it. As a kid I went to Sierra Gordo and met the owner before Brent. Boy oh Boy how time flies, we're in such a time capsule and it's almost ended for some of us. Happy Trails Brent. My 2 grandsons and I are going to come up in the middle of October because they want to see Sierra Gordo. Hope to see you then Brent.
@@rupertmiller9690 Unknown. I had supper at his place in Bishop that evening after the hike to Champion Spark Plug. He was with a woman named "Christy" at the time...
The shot of you sitting in the opening of the mine throwing the rock out reminded me of the TV show “Land of the Lost”! This was such a cool experience! Thank you for taking us along!
I just want to tell you how much you have grown and changed since I watched your first videos. The way you see the landscape around you and hear the echoes of the miners that came before you has turned you into a very talented videographer. Your knack for capturing every detail and explaining what you see makes it feel like I’m hiking with you and not just watching a video of a hike. I grew up in Boulder, Colorado back in the 1970’s when it was also a magical place to adventure and explore. I would head up into the mountains and hike and camp for weeks without seeing another person. I would usually find a ghost town similar to the ones you’ve found and wonder how the miners went about their back breaking work. I had to move away from Colorado about 12 years ago because it just broke my heart daily to witness what it was quickly becoming. When a place trades its beauty and wonder for money and rampant over development it’s usually my signal to move on. As the crow flies we’re pretty much neighbors now as I live in a tiny town in SW Utah. I’m still pretty new here and can’t wait for your next video to get my (much older now) butt back out into the desert and canyons to see what’s around the next bend. Thanks again for re lighting that fire of curiosity. Maybe one day if the invitation stands I’ll come say hi and see your new hotel.
Brent your film making just gets better and better! Love the way you keep the focus on the details, building the story with beautiful images that still feel personal and 'in the moment' . It's like you're just bringing us along for the ride, but with so many little teachable / informative moments along the way. Great viewing as always! Keep up the awesome work! :)
It’s mind blowing when you see the commitment that went into that upper camp. You were standing on concrete with bolt stems for securing some sort of equipment. And all that lumber,windows, doors. Thanks for sharing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brent's new forehead cam is quite effective. And along with the drone footage and smart editing... this is some of the best outdoor video production I've seen. :) God Bless Brent. Keep it up! :)
Amazing perseverance to build all that so high up and far from supplies. Thanks to the volunteers for their hard work preserving it all and for the museum. And shout out to all those mules!
Wow! What an incredible place and such a labor of love by those who care to make sure that the history is remembered! My father and my father-in-law had always told me that Champion spark plugs were the best, but I never knew why!
I have to live vicariously through your adventures, but I truly enjoy it. I used to live in Northern Nevada in the early 70's, and liked investigating the old mines. The peace and quiet, the smell of the pinion pines, and the crispness in the air is something I really miss.
🇨🇦💂Great job on this vid! I wish we had more people in the world that would take an interest in these mines & history and do what you did with Cerro Gordo - buy a old mine & become its custodian 💂👍🦅
Wow, nicely done! Thank you, Brent, for another amazing video. This location was on my bucket list, but unfortunately, my age and health have prevented me from traveling. Thank you for allowing me to experience this.
What a stunning nature! 😍 I like the lower camp. I could really stay there for a couple of days. So beautiful. Thank you so much for taking us with you ❤
Really really cool. I had no idea there was stuff like this that is this well preserved and that remote. The normal ghost town content is great but this one is definitely a special place. That picnic spot alone would be worth the hike. I’d love to be able to get conditioned to the heat and elevation gains to get up there one day. Hopefully I can find a way to contribute to or just leave a donation to help in the preservation by the time I get there. Thank you so much for spreading awareness to the early history of Los Angeles and the surrounding mines. Keep up the journey and hard work. Been rooting and praying for you since Covid!
Me as well. I have no M interest in mining, ghost towns, etc. But Brent opens eyes to the way he sees things for what they were, are, can , and will be, and its a beautiful thing.
Brent, you are absolutely a brilliant man. Gratitude is a result of understanding, and I understand what it is like to live an existence of constantly challenging wonder and awe at the universe around me. Nothing should be taken for granted, not even to the smallest of details. And that is what creates brilliance. Taking witness of the blinding light of reality from every crevice. Gathering an awareness of systems and all of the componentry that enable a system to function. Thank you for being you and sharing your journey!
This is where I love sitting at my desk with my computer with two large monitors instead of watching this on a phone or tablet. One screen I have the full view of the video and on the other I have either Google maps or Google Earth and attempt to search the area where Brent is walking. They also call this Jefferies camp and the co-ordinates are 37°37'03.8"N 118°19'10.8"W and there are some great google street view photos there.
I enjoyed this video so much. I love to see old places. A blast from the past if you will. It's so amazing to see how much is still there. Thanks to volunteers 👏. I hope it stays that way. So other people down the line may come see it. Thanks Brent for taking video & sharing with us. Soooo cool 😎👍
Champion was a major employer for decades in Toledo, Ohio where I grew up. My family was associated with Autolite sparkplugs (Fostoria, Ohio) which later was bought by Ford Motor and then Bendix. 😎
Cleveland born(1965)buckeye myself and yes it was a way of living for my family as well (dad,uncles and cousins) and this video brought back memories from days/years long ago ❤
Back in 1998/9 as a young woman learning to drive and educating myself about engine's and their inner workings, a friend told me that Champion spark plugs are the ONLY ones I should ever use 😊 I totally forgot that until watching this, WOW! Cheers Brent, fan since 2020 🤘
An old friend of mine used to ride his enduro bike up to the Champion mine. He took a ton of photos the last trip. He said all the rock up there, looked the same. Brought me a chunk of that whitish-grey rock.
What a fascinating mine. High, scary,beautiful colors in the rock. Another place to trek to and stay overnight. Volunteers Had to climb up there to clean and organize everything in the lower camp. The miners probably had a different view to life.
Andalusite and sillimanite (commonly found together) are both fibrous, aluminosilicate minerals. The dust of either would be very unhealthful to breath in, and I suspect they were not using wet mining techniques to reduce dust. Therefore, I suspect that those miners suffered a high rate of "miner's lung", being severe symptoms of silicosis and asbestosis. One or two years, and another miner's widow.
Already one of my all-time favorite episodes that you have ever produced, Brent. Excellent editing has been done. Your record-keeping is quite useful. Regards.
Man. Thank you so much for this amazing video. And all your videos really. You let this old dude see places I would never be able to see and think about things I never would have considered. And your cinematography is exquisite! Very well done!
I really enjoy these trips and your appreciation of the history of the old mines. I had been to Cerro Gordo a few times before you bought it, and will admit was a bit leery after the Eagle Hotel burned down. I was wondering if Cerro Gordo was in good hands. I'm so happy to find that it is with a man that loves the history as much as I do. These videos are very well done with excellent "B" roll! The drone footage really ties things together! Thanks for bringing us along on your adventures!
This is a very interesting one for me considering I work on vehicle for a living and never knew such awesome history thanks Brent from southern oregon!!
Great video Brent. Though I’m kind of torn about it being on YT. It will inspire more people to try and find it. Hopefully they won’t destroy it. It was a bit of a “locals secret”. I was up there about ten years ago in September and it was hot and no running water. I brought a gallon of water but used nearly all of it on the hike in. That upper trail that I took was kind of treacherous in spots. Fortunately someone had left water behind and I used some of that. I spent a weekend there by myself and it was fantastic. The museum looks the same as do the cabins. I stayed in the Champion Hilton cabin. What a view! I don’t know if it’s haunted but I woke up in the middle of the night and could swear someone was standing on the front porch next to the window. I was sleeping on the other side of the window in the bed. The figure walked across the porch and disappeared. But there was nowhere to go in the direction it went. Also, there was no noise of footsteps. I was the only person in that town that weekend. I took a lot of pics and ventured to upper town as well. Even then that was quite a hike. A lot of the trail was washed away or invisible. Hopefully it won’t be destroyed.
I really appreciate your commentary at the end of the video about us "thinking about all the hands and labor that goes into producing everyday things".. As a kid, my dad told me "the story of how a pencil is made".. is was a story of all the materials, process's and people who had to work to produce something as simple as a pencil.. the point of his story was to teach me the value of everyday items and not take them for granted.. Today, as a Mechanical Engineer, I get to see the behind the scenes of how things are made, and just how much knowledge, time, labor and materials it it take to make items... and to not take them for granted, and not waste items unnecessarily.. When I see people just toss something in the trash, or only eat half of their food and just throw it away.. I always think if they really knew what went into producing that item, they might be a bit more hesitant to toss it...
👍👌👏 I'm very happy, thankful and relieved to see that the well maintained cabins and especially the museum haven't got vandalised like sooo incredibly many things nowadays. Thanks for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health in particular.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey neighbor, I'm Bob I have lived in Searles valley for the last 45 years and I have been following your videos ever since you bought Cero Gordo. I remember when it came up for sale and a friend said I should buy the mine. Needless to say it was a little outside my price range, and I am glad to see someone with vision like you end up with it. So much of our history in the area has been neglected, vandalized, or forgotten. I use to go all over exploring the mountains, mines and ghost towns but time has caught up with me and I no longer am capable of hiking like I use to. I am really impressed with this video, this is an area I have never explored and as with all of your videos I found it interesting and educational. I hope to some day to make it up to Cero Gordo some day to meet you soon. Thanks for posting this and all your videos I do in joy them. Good Health and keep up the great work.
😊 Great comment! You have a lot of insight on what it takes to relocate and revive a lost civilization . Which is very important when coming across postingings that are familiar with your own life indevevours and interests. Good luck in the future and what an exciting life . I envy !
or rewritten to cast it in the worst light possible....
Thanks Bob! I appreciate that note. I hope you make it up to Cerro Gordo someday and I'll show you around.
@GhostTownLiving For $731,000 it was a steal! Great score! I've got a newspaper from 1957 that has a great 4 page article on your mine when it was shutting down. Let me know of you want it, otherwise it'll make great kindling 😊
@@johnnyweekendno kindling…..he has his address on the page. Send it there
Dang brother, you are reliving my childhood. I stayed in that Managers house around 1969, or 70. My dad , with the mining degree, called that mine the "Catacombs" and that's how I remember that mining system. Those Inyo mountains are full of minerals!
That is awesome. Catacombs is a great way to describe that one. Must have been really cool to see then
This was a really enjoyable video. Thanks for taking the time to get to this incredible old vines site and myZ
Thanks for taking us along, Brent! Beautiful place. Huge thanks to the volunteers keeping the museum and history alive.
Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, thank you to all the volunteers who work hard up there!
You know what truly struck me from that video? How good you've become at editing and producing them. I got caught up in details such as how we can hear you walk, even from afar from those magnificent drone shots. The music and atmosphere you create that is on point. Even the intro that was perfect to start this journey you took us along with.
It was magnficient.
Well said Jeremie, It really is a treat.
The Mine changed History and Brent kept the story alive and shared it with the rest of us! Thank you so much.
🙌🙌 thanks for checking it out
You can't change history
@@Boppsta712 technically correct, but here used in the sense of "changed what History would otherwise have been." "Changed history" sounds better and conveys the same thought.
It didn't change history. It made history.
I love this place. I used to visite it once or twice a year 1999-2003. Every time we went up we would repair fix or paint things to keep it nice for every one to enjoy.
Thanks for doing that! It's in great shape.
Congrats to the people that are helping to preserve this little town !! They are doing a wonderful job !!!
They’re doing a great job!
I am heading there this weekend from Phoenix to finally explore the town and to offer my glass replacement services to fix 4 to maybe 8 windows that might be broken on the property. 🎉
Almost 100 years later, my old Model A Fords still have Champion spark plugs in them. Beautiful scenery and a fascinating story. Keep up the amazing work Brent!!
I have 1919 FORDSON tractor still has 2 out of 4 original Champion "X" sparkplug still works.
Awesome! Likely that part of that plug came from this mine!
@@markthompson4885 fordson now thats oldddd
We were there in 2009, my wife and her parents along with our 3 young sons. We stayed a week in absolute peace, the only thing we left were supplies and notes in the log books (and the beginnings of some outdoor art). Its a special place to our family, please appreciate the folks that have kept it alive for so many years.
Irish, would ya be now? Plenty of Irish worked in the mines when nobody else would do it - from Appalachia to Butte Montana to California. One of my distant cousins leveraged his business partner, Albert Champion out of the Champion Spark Plug company. Champion restarted, and went on to build plugs under the brand name of AC -which we know today as AC-Delco.
It's great that people leave the museum in tact so that others can enjoy. I was always taught to leave things for other's enjoyment with their families.
I thought so, too! The type of people that make the hike up there are the type to appreciate the history, and respect the space.
@@KelseyDunlevy even then. there isnt anything there of monetary value to plunder. just a cool little piece of history
@@AnotherAyushRaj true! I was more worried about the type of people that trash/graffiti. I feel like being at the elevation it's at, it keeps the rough crowd out.
Definitely! It's very encouraging to see people work so hard to keep history alive and share it.
White People, the post.
I know you get thousands of comments but this old man from Michigan just wanted to thank you so very much and all involved for these videos. I may never get out that way so I appreciate more than you will ever know. So a million Thank You's to you and all and please stay safe out there and wish you all the best. Happy trails 👣
Wow! That lower camp looks amazing. So cool to see something like this. Glad it's a hike to get there as that probably protects it a bit. Just so impressed at how well maintained it is. Shoutout to anyone helping maintain things like this for future generations to enjoy!!
The art is hilarious.
Beautiful views! Thank you for taking us along on this adventure 🙏
Thanks for all the support Scott!
It makes me so happy to see that there are some things from history still standing and not harmed by destruction of others 👍🙏🫶🏻❤️
Thanks Brent, as a young man 10 or 11 my dad worked for UCSB Geology Dept. We were able to drive just shy of the lower camp. We toured the mine with geology students for a quite a few years. I was surprised to see how the roads have deteriorated over the years. I was pleased to see that the lower camp is still in good shape. I follow you in your endeavors to rebuild Cerro Gordo mining district and hope to visit some day soon. Best wishes and be safe in your mine explorations.
Wow! That would have made this adventure a lot easier to drive up that far haha. How was the trail to the upper mine back then? It's pretty washed out these days.
I was young back then, so I didn’t think it was in bad shape. But that was 50 years ago. We took a lot of geology students and professors up to the mine. Brought back memories on the tunnel that dead ends at the cliff face. I remember it was a great view.
Thank you for visiting that mine. In the article you showed at 2:16 my great-grandfather, George W. Clarkson is mentioned. He was the superintendent of the Champion Spark Plug Mine for the last 10 years of its operation. Sillimanite was also used for sanitary ware, like bowls used in hospitals or dentist's offices. I will never make it to the mine as I physically cannot do the hike so it was nice to see you walking where my great-grandfather once walked. If you want to see what Grandpa George looked like, he is the man on the right, in the black and white portrait, of the mural painted on the north side of Amigos in Bishop.
Brent, man oh man, you leave me speechless sometimes. I have a small gold claim outside of Oatman, Arizona. I will never forget the first 2 years I spent studying the geology of the area, putting thousands of miles on my side by side exploring, digging deep into the mining documents and history of all that went into the mining era back then, and I discovered something that to me was bigger than gold itself. It is the romance of almost wishing we could step back into time for a day and live what they lived, to experience all of the sweat and blood and sacrifice that came with a very special time in history. It's a love story in and of itself. Your preservation, passion, love, craft and thirst for knowledge is such a refreshing thing to behold. Thank you for bringing us along all of your journey's. Simply outstanding, sir.
Agree with you. My grandfather worked the gold mines in/around Juneau, AK in 20’s-30’s. Would have loved to see the mines back then.
Thank you much! I feel the same. I spend many, many hours just diving into the history and articles about the area. I find it endlessly fascinating.
After graduating from college my wife and I moved to the east side 40 years ago and we still live there. Prior to the fire at the upper level, there was a huge cook stove. I will look for some of our pictures. There as a out house on the edge of a cliff. There was nothing below. My wife would not sit on the throne because it was about 200' feet down. She refused to go until we got back to the lower camp. I sat on the throne looking down between my legs and yelled Bombs Away!
Wow! Very cool. I'd love to see photos of the place back then. That upper camp must have been something special.
are you having a stroke right now?
Already one of my favorite episodes you’ve ever put together Brent. The editing is superb. Your documentation is invaluable. Thank you 🙏
Brents knowledge and prior study to the areas makes these exploration videos that much better. Its not just watching someone wonder, its like having insights from a tour guide. Love these Brent!
Thank you! I very much enjoy learning as much as I can about the places before heading there. Makes the experience that much more rich.
This reminds me so much of Hedley, BC! Mines on the cliffside, cavern like stopes. Legendary.
At least 4 years of watching your videos you still are putting out the best video commentary and soundtrack of anybody else. Really enjoy hiking with you on your Ventures. Also your drone shots are very very cool. Keep up the good work but stay safe bro
My dad, sister, and I stayed in that cabin about 10 years ago. Beautiful place. I’m glad to see it hasn’t changed. Saw a LOT of mountain lion evidence around the lower camp so be advised.
Brent, I love to watch all of your videos but especially the ones of history and adventures! They are the best! ❤
really enjoy your walks into the past.
Thank you! I enjoy diving into the past and sharing
What a neat place! So well preserved... Thanks to all the volunteers that make things possible for everyone to enjoy!
Something new. That lower camp is amazing! Thank you Brent, for showing this well preserved miners camp.
@ 25.50 a perfect picture . Of you sitting in opening of the cave, definitely print worthy 😊 thx once again for taking us along 😊
Such gorgeous skies and mind blowing views, to think that men lived and worked in such a place so that others of their kind could have an easier life.
We have gotten too far away from an appreciation of mankind's history.
You help to bring it back to life.
Thank you.
I like watching all the history that you find in Cerro Gordo. Thanks to the volunteers as well for the camp so others can enjoy.
I'm an underground hard rock gold miner. The minerals we mine are in all the tech that people use today. People don't stop to think about the us working thousands of feet underground, to provide for our families, and to also provide the world with precious metals that make everything go. As technology advances, so does the demand. Breaking rock is one of the coolest jobs I've ever done. Been at it for almost 20 years now. We play with explosives and put our health and lives on the line every day just to get these minerals. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Are you guys hiring?
I appreciate your work. :)
Good to read about someone doing something they really enjoy and great job 👍
Hopefully you are rewarded handsomely both with money and in time off.
You're a legend. Sounds like fun.
In 1969 I lived at the Power Plant, Division Creek Ca. We drove motorcycles walked and hiked to a lot of the mines. There's one in particular that had dynamite in it and my cousin decided he was going to take it home. Dumb idea his dad found out because I told him, and his dad got the dynamite and put it in Division Creek intake Creek to get rid of all of the nitroglycerin out of it. As a kid I went to Sierra Gordo and met the owner before Brent. Boy oh Boy how time flies, we're in such a time capsule and it's almost ended for some of us. Happy Trails Brent. My 2 grandsons and I are going to come up in the middle of October because they want to see Sierra Gordo. Hope to see you then Brent.
It's a great hike. Howard Grice showed me that place years ago. R.I.P. Howard.
What happened to his cat Smokey after he passed?
@@rupertmiller9690 Unknown. I had supper at his place in Bishop that evening after the hike to Champion Spark Plug. He was with a woman named "Christy" at the time...
The shot of you sitting in the opening of the mine throwing the rock out reminded me of the TV show “Land of the Lost”! This was such a cool experience! Thank you for taking us along!
The terrain is so dry and slippery with loose rock.
Brent, thank you for going the distance sharing your travels with us all.
😀
So great that volunteers kept that lower camp in such a great condition, get the word out they are still welcome ❤
I just want to tell you how much you have grown and changed since I watched your first videos. The way you see the landscape around you and hear the echoes of the miners that came before you has turned you into a very talented videographer. Your knack for capturing every detail and explaining what you see makes it feel like I’m hiking with you and not just watching a video of a hike.
I grew up in Boulder, Colorado back in the 1970’s when it was also a magical place to adventure and explore. I would head up into the mountains and hike and camp for weeks without seeing another person. I would usually find a ghost town similar to the ones you’ve found and wonder how the miners went about their back breaking work. I had to move away from Colorado about 12 years ago because it just broke my heart daily to witness what it was quickly becoming. When a place trades its beauty and wonder for money and rampant over development it’s usually my signal to move on.
As the crow flies we’re pretty much neighbors now as I live in a tiny town in SW Utah. I’m still pretty new here and can’t wait for your next video to get my (much older now) butt back out into the desert and canyons to see what’s around the next bend. Thanks again for re lighting that fire of curiosity. Maybe one day if the invitation stands I’ll come say hi and see your new hotel.
Brent your film making just gets better and better! Love the way you keep the focus on the details, building the story with beautiful images that still feel personal and 'in the moment' . It's like you're just bringing us along for the ride, but with so many little teachable / informative moments along the way. Great viewing as always! Keep up the awesome work! :)
Thanks a ton! I've enjoyed working on the filming and narrating over the years.
It’s mind blowing when you see the commitment that went into that upper camp. You were standing on concrete with bolt stems for securing some sort of equipment. And all that lumber,windows, doors. Thanks for sharing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have seen this in other videos everyone who makes a video on this give us a little bit more history so I never get tired of seeing this one
Brent's new forehead cam is quite effective. And along with the drone footage and smart editing... this is some of the best outdoor video production I've seen. :)
God Bless Brent. Keep it up! :)
Amazing perseverance to build all that so high up and far from supplies. Thanks to the volunteers for their hard work preserving it all and for the museum. And shout out to all those mules!
Wow! What an incredible place and such a labor of love by those who care to make sure that the history is remembered! My father and my father-in-law had always told me that Champion spark plugs were the best, but I never knew why!
I have to live vicariously through your adventures, but I truly enjoy it. I used to live in Northern Nevada in the early 70's, and liked investigating the old mines. The peace and quiet, the smell of the pinion pines, and the crispness in the air is something I really miss.
🇨🇦💂Great job on this vid! I wish we had more people in the world that would take an interest in these mines & history and do what you did with Cerro Gordo - buy a old mine & become its custodian 💂👍🦅
Thank you, Brent! My perspective only grows thanks to work like yours!
Wow, nicely done! Thank you, Brent, for another amazing video. This location was on my bucket list, but unfortunately, my age and health have prevented me from traveling. Thank you for allowing me to experience this.
I'm sorry to hear that but I am glad you enjoyed the video. It's a nice hike and I enjoy being able to share it!
Really enjoy your story telling. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Thanks for listening!
What a fantastic video detailing how Champion went to great lengths to make their spark plugs better. Thanks for taking all of us along.
What a stunning nature! 😍 I like the lower camp. I could really stay there for a couple of days. So beautiful. Thank you so much for taking us with you ❤
Really really cool. I had no idea there was stuff like this that is this well preserved and that remote. The normal ghost town content is great but this one is definitely a special place. That picnic spot alone would be worth the hike.
I’d love to be able to get conditioned to the heat and elevation gains to get up there one day. Hopefully I can find a way to contribute to or just leave a donation to help in the preservation by the time I get there.
Thank you so much for spreading awareness to the early history of Los Angeles and the surrounding mines. Keep up the journey and hard work. Been rooting and praying for you since Covid!
I've been a mechanic for 23 years now and I love this video
Me as well. I have no M interest in mining, ghost towns, etc. But Brent opens eyes to the way he sees things for what they were, are, can , and will be, and its a beautiful thing.
I love your videos Brent. Thank you for the effort required to make them.
This adventure to This mine is awesome! Spark plugs 😊 I absolutely enjoyed every step you took. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
That redesh rock looks so juicy!! Iron ore,iron is the mother of Gold.
From a wet, lush, green Scotland, I am always stunned by the beauty of this bleak landscape
Awesome! I found it on Google Earth after going down the rabbit trail of your neck of the woods. Thanks for sharing!
Incredible Brent. You’re killin it with these vids
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful place.
Brent, you are absolutely a brilliant man. Gratitude is a result of understanding, and I understand what it is like to live an existence of constantly challenging wonder and awe at the universe around me. Nothing should be taken for granted, not even to the smallest of details. And that is what creates brilliance. Taking witness of the blinding light of reality from every crevice. Gathering an awareness of systems and all of the componentry that enable a system to function. Thank you for being you and sharing your journey!
This is where I love sitting at my desk with my computer with two large monitors instead of watching this on a phone or tablet. One screen I have the full view of the video and on the other I have either Google maps or Google Earth and attempt to search the area where Brent is walking.
They also call this Jefferies camp and the co-ordinates are 37°37'03.8"N 118°19'10.8"W and there are some great google street view photos there.
great tip. i found the mine early on but never thought street view and its awsome.
So cool, im glad you can share this with us, a peek into the past
Hey Brent! Thanks for taking us on this tour of history.
Thank you, Brent.
Right place at the right time. Love ya brent
🙌🙌
I enjoyed this video so much. I love to see old places. A blast from the past if you will. It's so amazing to see how much is still there. Thanks to volunteers 👏. I hope it stays that way. So other people down the line may come see it. Thanks Brent for taking video & sharing with us. Soooo cool 😎👍
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you
Thanks for a part of history with us 🤘☮️
Another awesome historical video Brent. Thanks for taking us with you👍
love your videos Brent and thank you for all you do to bring us this history , hope to shake your hand someday ,big hugs from MN ,
Champion was a major employer for decades in Toledo, Ohio where I grew up. My family was associated with Autolite sparkplugs (Fostoria, Ohio) which later was bought by Ford Motor and then Bendix. 😎
Cleveland born(1965)buckeye myself and yes it was a way of living for my family as well (dad,uncles and cousins) and this video brought back memories from days/years long ago ❤
Born in Toledo in 1954. Home of Willy's Jeep
Thank you for sharing your experience and another Ghost Town.
Was very interesting.
Regards from South Africa 🇿🇦.
I'll be doing a road trip down to Cerro Gordo from the northwest of Washington State first week of September. Can't wait to finally see it
See you then!
Audio is so much improved from earlier videos. Thx for upgrading. Very cool adventure!
It's an excellent hike. Years ago, I was shown that location by Howard Grice. Howard, rest in peace.
Back in 1998/9 as a young woman learning to drive and educating myself about engine's and their inner workings, a friend told me that Champion spark plugs are the ONLY ones I should ever use 😊 I totally forgot that until watching this, WOW!
Cheers Brent, fan since 2020 🤘
Man you are a deep thinker. Thank you for the adventure today. A nice calm escape. Cheers!
A very fascinating period of our history, thanks for sharing.
An old friend of mine used to ride his enduro bike up to the Champion mine. He took a ton of photos the last trip.
He said all the rock up there, looked the same. Brought me a chunk of that whitish-grey rock.
Thanks!
What a fascinating mine. High, scary,beautiful colors in the rock. Another place to trek to and stay overnight. Volunteers Had to climb up there to clean and organize everything in the lower camp. The miners probably had a different view to life.
Absolutely incredible that the trees still exist in and around that lower camp. Makes it such a beautiful spot.
Andalusite and sillimanite (commonly found together) are both fibrous, aluminosilicate minerals. The dust of either would be very unhealthful to breath in, and I suspect they were not using wet mining techniques to reduce dust. Therefore, I suspect that those miners suffered a high rate of "miner's lung", being severe symptoms of silicosis and asbestosis. One or two years, and another miner's widow.
Thank you for your videos, there very well put together, your book is amazing too.
Already one of my all-time favorite episodes that you have ever produced, Brent. Excellent editing has been done. Your record-keeping is quite useful. Regards.
Man. Thank you so much for this amazing video. And all your videos really. You let this old dude see places I would never be able to see and think about things I never would have considered. And your cinematography is exquisite! Very well done!
Thank you much! I'm glad you enjoy them. I really like putting these videos together.
The intro alone shows me I’m in for a good one 👌
I really enjoy these trips and your appreciation of the history of the old mines. I had been to Cerro Gordo a few times before you bought it, and will admit was a bit leery after the Eagle Hotel burned down. I was wondering if Cerro Gordo was in good hands. I'm so happy to find that it is with a man that loves the history as much as I do. These videos are very well done with excellent "B" roll! The drone footage really ties things together! Thanks for bringing us along on your adventures!
Thank you for sharing Brent! Love the channel! As a mechanic this is a great episode for me!
Glad you enjoy it!
those tunnels look like a dwarfen fortess! thaks for sharing that!
Mr Underwood you are a historical living Legend .Thank you for bringing us through your journey of education and fact.
This is a very interesting one for me considering I work on vehicle for a living and never knew such awesome history thanks Brent from southern oregon!!
Great video Brent. Though I’m kind of torn about it being on YT. It will inspire more people to try and find it. Hopefully they won’t destroy it. It was a bit of a “locals secret”. I was up there about ten years ago in September and it was hot and no running water. I brought a gallon of water but used nearly all of it on the hike in. That upper trail that I took was kind of treacherous in spots. Fortunately someone had left water behind and I used some of that. I spent a weekend there by myself and it was fantastic. The museum looks the same as do the cabins. I stayed in the Champion Hilton cabin. What a view! I don’t know if it’s haunted but I woke up in the middle of the night and could swear someone was standing on the front porch next to the window. I was sleeping on the other side of the window in the bed. The figure walked across the porch and disappeared. But there was nowhere to go in the direction it went. Also, there was no noise of footsteps. I was the only person in that town that weekend. I took a lot of pics and ventured to upper town as well. Even then that was quite a hike. A lot of the trail was washed away or invisible.
Hopefully it won’t be destroyed.
Could Have Been Big Foot .😃😃
Thanks Brent for these wonderful videos very nice I love history and how things were done to start America
Thank you so much for the history lesson. Thank you for your making it happen
Thanks for this! You always provide a very positive and introspective message and bring home how much work and toil those that came before us gave!
Thank you!
Hey I went there with Forestyforest this past winter! Cool to see you up there too!
Nice! Hes a nice dude.
So awesome, Brent! Very cool and nicely put together video, shared with several friends. We appreciate you!
This is so freaking cool!!!!
What a cool and beautiful place to visit! Thank you so much for sharing this place and its history with us!
I really appreciate your commentary at the end of the video about us "thinking about all the hands and labor that goes into producing everyday things".. As a kid, my dad told me "the story of how a pencil is made".. is was a story of all the materials, process's and people who had to work to produce something as simple as a pencil.. the point of his story was to teach me the value of everyday items and not take them for granted.. Today, as a Mechanical Engineer, I get to see the behind the scenes of how things are made, and just how much knowledge, time, labor and materials it it take to make items... and to not take them for granted, and not waste items unnecessarily.. When I see people just toss something in the trash, or only eat half of their food and just throw it away.. I always think if they really knew what went into producing that item, they might be a bit more hesitant to toss it...
What is really amazing is that someone (geologist?) walked through those rugged mountains and analyzed all those rocks to find what they needed.
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👍👌👏 I'm very happy, thankful and relieved to see that the well maintained cabins and especially the museum haven't got vandalised like sooo incredibly many things nowadays. Thanks for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing.
Best regards luck and health in particular.