A Creepy Story from Death Valley, 1968

In 1968, my brother Dave visited the ghost town of Ballarat in the Panamint Valley. He met the last of the burro prospectors, Ballarat Bob. Bob suggested that Dave ride his Honda 90 to Barker Ranch where he could meet a guy named Charlie and his family of hippies. This is his story.
Links to items mentioned in our videos (and my camera gear) can be found on my Amazon Storefront. As a participant in the Amazon Associates Program we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you shop from this Amazon portal:
www.amazon.com/shop/fromshetome
Music in this video is from a subscription with Epidemic Sound:
Epic Percussion 1 - Jon Bjork
To the Singularity - Hector Poster
Chasing the Truth - Dream Cave
The Wind is Changing - Howard Harper-Barnes

[@rfleming7883]

Fantastic job telling the story of your older brother's encounter with one of the most evil individuals known to man. Of course, that is true, but thankfully Dave could see he was at the wrong place and left. Also, the encounter with Tex watson (cold blooded killer) could have ended badly. Congrats on a happy ending to this chapter for your family!

[@paulholbrook7315]

Your Brother is very lucky to be alive......Most all folks who stumbled upon paranoid Charlie's little family at Barker Ranch were never seen again, buried 8 ft down in the surrounding desert.....One fellow who was touring Death valley and never got close to Barker Ranch was encountered and killed for his VW beetle which Charlie's boys liked to strip down and turn into dune buggies...I frankly surprised that your brother wasn't simply killed for his dirt bike by Tex that first day when he was alone..............Your Brother had angels on his shoulders that day..............

[@johndoody1492]

I could hear Lennon screaming ‘helter skelter’ while I was riveted to your brother’s recollections. You can still feel the madness, the horrific presence. Those rangers did an incredible job capturing that band of miscreants. Thanks for making the difficult climb, and sharing the history.

[@lyndonreddick1888]

That was Paul.

[@EternallyThankful-os6pz]

This is one of the most interesting stories I've ever stumbled onto via KZbin's suggestion column - really nice job putting this together with just the right amount of interaction from the on-camera interview mixed in at the right times...awesome job !!

[@FromShetoMe]

Thank you so much. My brother died last week and he was such an inspiration to me.

[@alnolan8574]

What a story!! If your brother only knew who he was really dealing with .He was a brave soul.

[@MrWinger1951]

Fascinating. I do believe you should do a mini documentary on your brother Dave, as I suspect he has many stories to tell.

[@trudymeyers2386]

Thank You ! We had messaged about 2 yrs ago concerning Manson, your brother and friend Michael Meyer. I had purchased his book and absolutely loved the stories he told of his days as a Ranger. Thank you for making this video of your brothers stories to add just a little more insight into this mass murderer. Your skills of story telling are truly getting more and more interesting. Trudy

[@Summitclym]

Had many good 4WD trips all around that area back when the building was still standing like in the picture. Thanks for the memories.

[@arnestogigio4381]

Loved this. Another 68 year old here who needs to start adventuring.

[@FromShetoMe]

Definitely get out there because, as you know, it only gets harder.

[@larryhullinger4141]

I'm only 61 and with all my ailments I couldn't do that already But I am in the market for a van Gona do some traveling while I still can

[@xtbro78]

This is a great video you did on this, I'm so glad I happened onto it. Years ago I went to Barker's Ranch with a group on small dirt bikes. (I'm 73 now & do those trips in my Jeep) It was when the ranch buildings were very complete, before it was all burned. We were able to sit at the concrete "booth & table" inside, where they likely ate, & there was still the old Servel LP gas refrigerator that they'd used. I agree with your choice on the bathroom cabinet where Charlie was captured. I too sought it out, & your picture matches the room I saw. At the time I was there the cabinet had already been taken by a souvenir-hunter, but the bathroom fixtures were still in place. Your brother's instincts were good & likely saved his life. I read of some miners who lived near the Ranch. Tex Watson asked one of them to accompany him to look at some ore he'd found. The man turned him down & said later he had the distinct feeling that if he & Tex walked up there, he would not have returned. Tex Watson was one freaky-crazy guy & was wearing his usual sidearm,. I'm glad you made it on your e-bikes too. That terrain can be treacherous, changing with each passing storm. I'm passing this video on to friends, excellent job!

[@FromShetoMe]

Thank you! I’m guessing that road got pummeled in the storms from past 2 years.

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Great presentation of your brother's adventure. Wow...not something I would want to experience, but totally interesting. Thank you

[@allenschmitz9644]

yep, 68 and falling off a e-bike is some bold frisky move's and a flat tire out there and the party is over...thanks for the ride thru.

[@erickirn622]

I was there in 2007 on a KTM 990r came over Mingal Pass. This was before the cabin was burned out, and in pretty good shape. It was a creepy place to say the least!! Each year in February, we camp in Furnace Creek and ride DV. Spectactual place!! Thanks for taking me along.

[@boydmking1]

That was a lot of fun and very informative! Thanks for all your hard work and excellent editing . . .

[@Anne-qv7ve]

Very interesting and scary story. Well done! Your background music is perfect. I am always conscious of it and I’m amazed how you always have great music that matches the theme of your video.

[@pdub6453]

Wow! This was so creepy. I remember hearing stories of Manson’s early days here in Indiana before he headed west.I didn’t realize that they captured him in Death Valley. Your brother is so lucky to have evaded the “family”…

[@stevemccuen8131]

Wow! That is quite a story! I'm certainly glad your brother came through it unharmed! Please keep up the great videos...

[@joanmcerlean7158]

Amazing. Just an amazing story. Thanks Dave. Thanks Debbie and John for being so persistent in finding the ranch so we could see it.

[@bridgethill2183]

Well Holy Moly!!! An amazing story from your brother. I was on the edge my seat watching today’s video. Having grown up in LA during that time, hearing this brought back all the incredible strangeness and scariness for this high school kid at the time! Phew for Dave!

[@dporper6390]

"Frasier is down!" John cracked me up. Only old goats like me get that reference.

[@billorr6041]

Wow😱 Finally got enough WiFi to stream your DEATH valley video. Appropriately we drove through Panamint Valley today on our way to Ridgecrest. What a harrowing experience your brother survived. Thanks for sharing and re-tracing his tale

[@stephenackerman7761]

Debbie is a filmmaker now! I can see the efforts of your course in the amazing opening guidebook sequence and the overlays of your brother speaking while you explore the area he describes, looks great. My question is what did Dave say to y’all when Manson was caught, “Hey I know that guy!” ;)

[@FromShetoMe]

I remember the day. We were watching the news in front of our black and white Zenith. We already knew the story of their meeting many months earlier so it was a shocker when he said that was the guy. The murders had left everyone on edge. I told Dave he should go to the police. Glad he didn’t take my advise because it could have made all of us vulnerable to attacks by other members, some of whom are still devoted followers.

[@williamsherman1089]

​@@FromShetoMeProbably the wisest decision your brother made was to get away from that luny bunch. Great video and great story

[@tredog500r]

Dave was a true pioneer in the world of 'Adventure' riding. Very chilling story. Thank you!

[@educateddogcenter]

Your story telling skills are so impressive! I’m going to send this to our smart TV and have my Death Valley-loving family members watch the whole thing. Thanks Debbie and John!✌️

[@FromShetoMe]

There are lots of fascinating stories from DV.

[@oldboater]

Loved this video, very interesting. I’m 73 so I can relate to this story. I forgot Manson was captured in Death Valley.

[@senthilnathanviswanathan4924]

oh, I chanced to stumble upon this great video. I was also fascinated with death valley and avid watcher of many videos on death valley. It is really astonishing that 68-70 year elders could do this sort of adventure into the remotest places. Feeling so grateful for this video, which took me on a free tour of Barker Ranch.

[@FromShetoMe]

You are so welcome!

[@brettmaddy9525]

What a fascinating story and footage thanks for sharing.

[@eclecticinspiration5064]

I don't know if you know but you are an inspiration you're a real powerhouse I don't know if you're married but the way you put that truck together and that bicycle and all your stuff and just went down the road all to tell a story I appreciate you that's so deep to me!

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks! I think everyone has the abilities to do the same and hopefully people see that if I can do it, they can do it.

[@monteeggers8651]

I remember hearing about that family on the news while the family was still on the run. Your brother is a very lucky person! Good video too!

[@TJackSurvival]

I love that Matt’s Offroad recovery plug! Cracked me up

[@walterdibartolomeo3157]

Thanks for sharing. Dave’s story gave me the chills! Glad you didn’t get hurt on your fall.

[@angpb6176]

Gave me shivers! Wow, fascinating story and atmospheric video. Thanks to you and your bro for sharing it. Took me right back to being terrified as a kid.

[@JustMe-vi8nx]

Great video Debbie. Really good. Thanks for sharing.

[@katetrabue]

Now I want to explore Death Valley! Thanks for the video, Debbie. I can see that you are incorporating ideas from your film course. Nice work!

[@christyontheat9430]

This was fascinating! Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@meganoneill4801]

Wow! What a great video and story! I loved it. Well done.

[@roncross1945]

My son in law, a US ARMY Ranger took me up that canyon and into Butte Valley. There’s a book written in the 80’s by an old miner. The title is, There’s Ghosts in These Canyons. Or something like that. He tells of his encounters with the Manson Family there in Death Valley. Great video, glad you made it out of there safely.

[@FromShetoMe]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@tallballer09]

My best friend and I used to spend a lot of time camping in the Panamint mountains and valley back since 1970. We had many an encounter “ meeting “ those hippies over the last 40 plus years.Some not so good! I’ve seen Barker ranch in tact and even saw the cabinet where Charlie was hiding in the ranch. I was always careful as I was a California police office since 1973 and got a lot of good advise from cops back then not to trust or become overly friendly with strangers we meet out in the back country. I even met Ma Barker once at the Indian ranch. Panamint has alway been the Wild West!

[@michele2017promastertravel]

What a great format. You're so creative.

[@govango813]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video. It actually gave me chills. I can’t believe your brother lived to tell the story!

[@FromShetoMe]

Me too!!

[@dakat1726]

The ability to talk your way out of a sticky situation is an important life skill! My friend, who grew up in a gang area, shared that he avoided being pressed into a gang with a strong sense of "gotta go"

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, and a sense of humor too.

[@daveschlom4033]

This was an incredible experience to watch. My best friend Don from many years later recounted a similar encounter there. Though thankfully, they bailed really fast after running into Tex in their 4WD Jeep. I ran into them (sorta) as a kid riding my bike to see the Spahn Movie Ranch because my Dad instilled a love of westerns into me. I remember them as hippies like my sister, cousin and their friends. But there was a weird vibe that even 8 year old me picked up on. Quentin Tarantino's great film brought all this back to me. My brother in law house sat at the Cielo Drive home. I guess I visited him there too but I don't remember that as different from other brief visits to Bel Air homes with my Dad. Thank you for sharing. Sharon Tate was a truly beautiful person who reminds me so much of my older sister. I so wish Rick and Cliff could have saved her. There is nothing funny about it. Just a longing for a safer feeling LA.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks for adding your story here. I’m curious if you followed a link here and if so from where.

[@daveschlom4033]

@@FromShetoMe Gosh. I think it just showed up in my YT feed because I have been watching stuff about Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@daveschlom4033 Interesting. Thanks so much for letting me know.

[@loribaker2501]

Great video! That was an incredible story, thank you for sharing. I see the drive for adventures runs in the family 🤣. Very brave to be on the trail, riding along on the video was scary enough for me !!

[@bluebiegrace1828]

Wow 😮!! This is a good one. Thank you.

[@snoo333]

awesome video. thanks

[@doubled5037]

Wow great story. Thanks to you and your brother for sharing!

[@Grasshopper0122]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[@bettebuchheit5776]

Wow, morbidly fascinating! Well done!

[@SanJuanMountainBob]

Wow, fascinating story - thanks for sharing!

[@spellmadam2947]

What a story! Thanks for sharing.

[@tallballer09]

I have been going to Panamint Valley since 1970. Me and my best friend have encountered many a hippy in those mountains . We always kept to our self’s while meeting these guys but it was intimating. I saw Barker ranch before it burned down and saw the cabinet Charley was hiding in still attached to the wall. I could probably tell a hundred stories. Since I was always a certified California police officer I got a lot of advise from other cops in that area. Always carry a gun! I am now 74 years old!

[@FromShetoMe]

You should write down your stories. Might be of interest to a historical society or your descendants.

[@dawnparker9884]

Wonderful video and you guys rock!

[@sherrydattilio9604]

When I was 6 and living in Death Valley in 1063, I remember hiking up some canyon with my parents and one of the rangers to check on a hermit. I remember once we got the shack/house how much greener it was, with shade trees. Must have had water. Unfortunately the guy was not there. Wish I could remember more of the story of who he was, and the spot. So cool that you made this video to remember the story of your brother. So much gets lost as we age, lol. Thanks, brought back some great memories of Death Valley.

[@FromShetoMe]

Could have been Ballarat Bob. He was actually using Barker Ranch when Charlie came in and basically pushed him out.

[@spirg]

This was fantastic!!!!! Better than cable tv !!!!

[@FromShetoMe]

Wow. Thanks.

[@joycem2795]

Very nice editing on this video!

[@mikewarner2285]

Love your channel

[@mysticalmisfit1332]

Hi Debbie & John🙋🏽‍♀️ Very eerie…Glad your brother got out of there. Great story/video

[@robjohnson4260]

That story was legit , it's when you can't recall certain details because it was so long ago. You only remember the bigger details is when its true.

[@monikalenz2559]

Good tour of the ranch. I lived in Ridgecrest for 45 years and knew about it but never went back in there to explore. Knew a guy that pumped gas at Little Lake Hotel off highway 395. Charlie Manson got gas there regularly. The hotel is gone now.

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, it burned many years ago. A shame because it was a cool building.

[@kathigee]

WOW.. what a story.... I had chills the whole video.. I kinda didn't want you to be in that area! Thanks for sharing.

[@darlenestout7548]

Wow what an awesome story. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting 👌

[@christinejones932]

This gave me goosebumps. Thanks for sharing.

[@garywernick7950]

Wow! Things could have gone so wrong for your brother. Thanks for sharing the story.

[@rhondalyn100]

What a great story! Please tell your brother "thanks"; I enjoyed this video very much! Interesting content and wonderful music score!

[@TroySwezey]

Oh wow. What a wild story. Very cool video and editing. Well done. Glad you are ok after your spill.

[@FromShetoMe]

Some awesome bruises.

[@anniecrowbar9358]

Wow your brother is a very lucky guy to have escaped from Charlie! Thanks for the amazing story😲

[@kathyowens9901]

Your brother is lucky to be alive!

[@mikestirewalt5193]

Very nicely done creepiness.

[@tdadventures]

Oh wow!! What a creepy and scary story. So glad your brother was able to fib and leave safely to tell this story.

[@brandisimpson8774]

Great video and story!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Whoa. First - loved your editing & music. Second - good on you for being so persistent. Rest - yay for your brother for surviving that whole scenario. Holy crap. Unless you lived in CA during that time, you can’t understand that fear of what happened. Last - my ancestors were the people stuck there in 1849. Asabel & Sarah Bennett. I really enjoyed this one!

[@FromShetoMe]

Wow, related to the Bennetts. That’s so cool. I read Manly’s book as a teenager and was so impressed.

[@pamt6829]

Very interesting story, thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@nomaditude2300]

Great Story! Your videos are exquisite.

[@mineadventures7938]

Fun, thanks for sharing.

[@beverlyhendricks9456]

Wow. Good story telling! Thx.

[@yvonne6530]

Wow! What an amazing story, this would definitely be a great podcast. To be honest I didn't know who Bob was or much about Charles Manson either. I had to watch a documentary here on KZbin on the history of the area and who was Manson. Great story telling. Thank you so much for sharing. 🥰

[@FromShetoMe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@steves524]

That was a very interesting story Dave told, enjoyed the way you incorporated it into the present day🚐

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, I had to stew on it for a year to figure out the best way to share it and not creep myself out.

[@dondartt684]

Great story have been to Death Valley many times but, never was aware that Charles Manson camp in the valley. Thanks for taking me on this adventure.

[@timmartin4952]

“Thought it was my bones”. Lol. I know the feeling more every day!

[@m67t438]

Wonderful!❤️

[@wjeffp]

That is definitely a story that should be taped and handed down through the generations, however, most of us who know who Charlie Manson is are of gray hair and creeking bodies 👍

[@FromShetoMe]

True but it is surprising how many younger people have heard of the crimes.

[@thebeautifulhobo1]

One of the best youtube stories I've seen! You have a talent. I would love to view more of your adventures! Just fun &interesting. I also have spent some time in Death Valley. Thank you for your narrative and scenery. Great Job! Thank you.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thank you!

[@thebeautifulhobo1]

@@FromShetoMe NO! THANKYOU!

[@aztrails1]

Very cool - you might say chilling - story nicely filmed. Thanks.

[@justride52]

I've met some interesting people out in the wilderness but having caution is always top of the list. Your brother is a lucky man to say the least. We're headed in that direction next month but will avoid the ranch at this point LOL John's creaking bones "cracked" me up when you started the PW to leave.

[@kathyjohnson1911]

68??! Damn, Girl, you look amazing!

[@lyndonreddick1888]

The good old Trail 90, road looks pretty rough now- years later. I hiked up Surprise Canyon in 07'. Rocky at Ballarat was telling me about the Ballarat Bandit- no relation to Bob. Another example of weirdness from Panamint Valley. Fascinating story. That meet with Tex would have been scary- he was the worst one of the lot. Of course, there are some happier stories about Death Valley- like some of Ed Abbey's adventures.

[@redleezure7088]

Got a flat tire three weeks ago after stopping at that very Ballarat sign. Took 5 1/2 hours to get the tire plugged and back on the road. But enough of my bad memory. You're story is great and the editing very good indeed. Well done!

[@FromShetoMe]

Wow. Never had to plug a tire.

[@fiestaadventures]

Nice job on the video! I enjoyed it very much. I was in Ballarat recently but didn't make it to Barker Ranch. I hope to get there next time.

[@FromShetoMe]

I’m wondering how the road is after last year’s summer storms and then this winter’s record rains.

[@fiestaadventures]

@@FromShetoMe Good point. The road is always unpredictable and changes with weather. My Sprinter is 4WD and lifted but I doubt I would try it. E-bikes were a great choice for you. I have a standard Mt. Bike I like to bring and it was handy exploring the Jeep trails around Greenwater in Death Valley.

[@problu9586]

Just bums me out that some dingbat decided to burn down Barker Ranch house, because it was "evil". Eventually, will drive my Jeep up Goler Wash and visit Barker Ranch, myself. As an aside, I'm 68, too. Enjoyed your video.

[@camperab]

Thanks a lot. What an interesting story (life!).

[@desertsky]

There are lots of stories of encounters with Charlie and the girls. A guy I worked with would see them in Box Canyon at a donut shop and they would sometimes ask for a ride into the Valley. Before any of the trouble happened.

[@tomfurlong5091]

in the summer of 68 my dad, a NYC cop took me to visit his best friend growing up in brooklynwho was living in laguna beach. The pacific coast highway at nite was packed with young hippies, many who lived in caves in the canyons running out of laguna ! It was quite the adventure , we also visited tijuana where i bought sandals, leather belt and fireworks ! No charlie manson sightings but plenty of wild people, a far cry from booklyn but stories to tell my classmates my freshman year in september ! Now i want to go to death valley ! never gave it a thought till watching your videos, thanks for the inspiration !

[@FromShetoMe]

My first impression of Laguna was in 1966, driving north on PCH and being greeted by the Laguna Beach Greeter.

[@tomfurlong5091]

@@FromShetoMe the guy with the big white beard ! a summertime santa claus ! they had him on postcards ! I need to go back there for a visit !

[@fullmoonAZ]

Awesome shout-out to Matt's Offroad Recovery! :D

[@SubPablum]

The girl he can't remember was probably Ruth Ann Morehead. The age is right and her dad supported them to a degree. And she was one of the group that got arrested at Barker Ranch so she could have been there at that time. But who knows.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks for the info.

[@ExplorationObsession]

Great video ! My sister-in-law dated Tex Watson in college in Texas. 👏

[@FromShetoMe]

OMG, now that would be quite a story.

[@petermickus8688]

Did she get a shiver off of him?

[@RichBrandt]

Interesting story, can’t wait to hear more like it

[@judystreich7333]

That was an Erie happening and thank God your brother was a quick thinker, wow. And, I felt your pain when you were on the ground because this 68 year old took a header on the ice a few days ago, we just don’t pop right back up quite so fast do we. But, thankful that wounded pride was the worst injury. You do a great video, thanks.

[@FromShetoMe]

Had some nasty bruising but otherwise, good to go.

[@timsmith7625]

Thanks for sharing and we had chatted about your brothers encounter with the Manson family a while back and I really enjoyed you telling the story. Watch out for those 68 year old bones and don’t break anything. Will be out west this fall/through January it looks like. Working schedule and will email it to you. You and John stay safe!

[@FromShetoMe]

Got some awesome looking bruises for my efforts. I worry more about John. We need to get him a new bike.

[@timsmith7625]

@@FromShetoMe yes and I have a lot of bruises from my falls and people hitting me when I am riding on the beach path. Healing takes too long now a days. I have upgraded my Rad Power bikes as time and age change and good ideas for John to do the same.

[@wanttoplae]

Wow. What an experience!

[@victorcontreras9138]

A real experience having met the Manson clan! Glad he made it out ok. By the way, when he took the two passengers into town, he didn't say if he had to drive with nose clips on🤢

[@FromShetoMe]

LOL. Probably because the car didn't have AC and the windows were probably down the whole way.

[@annmoore6562]

Creepy, indeed! Methinks Dave had a pretty wild experience!