Barker Ranch and the Cabins of Goler Canyon

[@maryd4864]

We were camping with friends in Death Valley in March, 2009, and made a trip out to the Barker Ranch for an afternoon. Brought our lunch and ate on the picnic table provided at the ranch. I've got a lot of great photos of the inside of the cabin, as well as the outside before the fire. The kitchen table, a fridge and even the toilet were still in the cabin. I was a taken aback from your video as nothing but stone and cement were left. after the fire- it was unrecognizable to me. A few weeks after we got back home, there was some talk in the media about the possibility of bodies being buried by the Manson family on the ranch. I'm not sure to this day if they ever found any bodies. Once again, thanks for sharing this!!

[@mojavegreen1804]

I have been to Barker Ranch a half dozen times or so. I spent four days there in July 2008. Just me and my Rottweiler Troll. I was metal detecting and prospecting in panamint valley west of the ranch. I was kinda spooked out by the history but was well armed. Plus a huge puppy. The building was intact and pretty decent. During the first night, around zero dark thirty, i was sleeping on an air mattress on the kitchen floor.. Suddenly the dead quiet night was shattered by what sounded exactly like someone violently shaking a key chain inside the house. Troll let out a horrific WOOF and stood up, hair and teeth bristling. I had a handgun under my pillow, grabbed it and turned on the battery powered lantern. Troll was looking toward the front room a few feet away. Confused. I saw nothing. He and I walked all around the place. Inside and out. Nothing. We lay with the light on for 15 minutes or so then drifted back off. A short time passed and CLANKITY CLANKITY CLANKITY again! Troll was PISSED OFF! Ear shattering attack dog snarl-howl-bark,!! Pistol up and ready and lantern back on! Darkness there, and nothing more! I was shaking. We once again patrolled. Nothing. Again, but slower this time, we drifted off. I had the hands on the lantern and pistol now. CLANKITY CLANKITY CLANKITY CLANKITY!!!! I almost just started firing.. but THIS time I flipped the light on immediately. The noise continued this time. Troll.and I saw a frightening sight! There, on the concrete floor not five feet away, a mouse was pulling a big green circada bug across the floor toward a mouse hole in the wall. The bug was clattering it's legs and wings making the racket. I could not believe how loud it was. As Troll jumped after the mouse it released the bug and shot into the hole. I put the injured circada outside a few hundred feet away...just in case. We had no more paranormal activity that night. I do NOT believe in ghosts. Although that belief wasn't as strong in me that night in Manson's house. If I wouldn't have seen that damn mouse I would be a ghost believer. Even Troll seemed relieved. Kinda looked at me like "do you believe this nonsense?!?" No more incidents that night or the following nights. Same thing probably happened to someone else who did NOT see the mouse and bug. They probably packed their crap then burned the place down.

[@tzuten]

Sounds like an excellent time.

[@absolutelynonameslef]

@mojavegreen1804 dude! That is an awesome story. I probably would have added 0.45" ventilation holes to all the walls if that had happened to me!

[@Oldguy-k3t]

You were in a national park, can't prospect or anything really.

[@OleJoe]

Cool trip! Hard to believe all that is now almost 50 years ago.

[@judycarey9051]

Thanks for the tour and the info. I graduated high school in 1968, so this was truly my time. Peace.

[@KathleenMcCormickLCSWMPH]

Very entertaining and informative video. One of my hippy friends was one of the Manson family unsolved murders. Her family didn’t let on how she died at the time. Later, when I was reading the epilogue to Helter Skeltor, I was shocked to see that she had been stabbed multiple times and had had a connection to the Manson family.

[@thobbs4526]

Hi, there! Your videos bring back memories. I grew up in Mojave Desert and as an adult, spouse and I and kids went off-roading all over the places you go in our faithful old 4 Runner. We actually stayed lots of times at Barker Ranch, the cabin was not bad, except for the mouse poop (no one knew about Hanta Virus then!). I remember 2 rooms and a bathroom...the old bathtub was still intact. There was a fenced yard with many trees and 2 old-school metal patio chairs cemented on the hill behind the cabin...great view from up there. It was a quiet, peaceful place, no bad vibes. We were last there in late 90’s. I heard that the ranch up the road is burned down, too, hope it isn’t so. If it’s still there, go up Jail Canyon in the Panamints to the cabin there. It has a barrel stove and a running creek behind. Burros come up on the porch at night and clomp and bray. But, I heard that cabin was trashed/burned, too...hope not. Love your videos, it’s like coming back home. 👍

[@somerandomguy3868]

I like when I come home from work and I'm too tired to do much of anything and there's a new Wonderhussie video to watch, I really enjoy you taking us along, you're mellow and snoopie and it's just a good time

[@Thinker2-truth]

When I was there in the 90s there were two structures in good (full roof) condition. Even the cabinet Manson was hiding in was still intact.

[@daveogarf]

(*intact)

[@Thinker2-truth]

@@daveogarf is that better?

[@switchblademinerva5285]

Hey Wonderhussy, you will love this story about when I actually saw the Manson girls in Los Angeles back in 1969. My brother and I drove up to Los Angles from Seal Beach, California to ride Angels Flight which was a funicular railway on Bunker Hill. Angels Flight was due to close that day and we were looking for a place to park when we saw the Manson girls with their shaved heads and crosses cut into their foreheads. I was sixteen years old at the time but I had experienced the whole hippie scene in Hollywood for several years, but nothing prepared me for the sight of those women kneeling and singing songs for Charlie Manson on the corner outside the Los Angeles County courthouse. Mind blown, and even though I am 64 years old now and have experienced two Los Angeles riots, the sight of Manson's girls was truly very spooky.

[@memphisskallywag7683]

Awesome story. So glad to have read it.

[@ericthompson926]

That's cool your lucky to have had the privilege of being there at the time awesome 😎

[@gracieg7601]

Wow. Those two are on prison but I think they let the one out after Manson died. Not sure which one.

[@TheIlluminara]

At 12:58 in the video the wall you are looking at was from left to right a wooden shelf/cabinet unit, a stove and a sink. 13:01 there was a refrigerator in the cubby and a wooden shelf unit. He had to have been one tiny dude to fit in that cabinet. Thanks for the great tours! I really enjoy the videos of these places you go to. I look forward to your next adventure!

[@raywhittington1368]

Very interesting video. That's a great impression of a 60s-70's stoner at 20:16. Very funny! Great high desert scenery as usual. Thanks for this tour of Barker Ranch. You're a lovely guide.

[@jtcbrt]

You are in your element. Love to see that smile. Thanks for the tour.

[@jeralmettlen4400]

In 1972 I was hired by a person to take him up to what you called the halfway house the Barkers were there and showed us a picture album .This person identified himself as one of the family members and told them that Charlie sent to get his guitar and sheet music! He made a monthly payment on my Toyota landcruser, we went home and that was that end of story. ⚓️

[@terrygraham1877]

Great video, and kinda close to home. My dad. John C Graham, retired from the L.A County Sheriff dept., and long past, was part of this raid. He was in the book Helter Skelter. Manson and his people committed grand thief in the Death Valley area through many raids on people and their property. These petty crimes lead to warrants and subsequent arrests. Manson and his people were quite the pain.

[@royrice8597]

What a nightmare to think you could still run into someone like the Manson Family in such an isolated desolation!! Never go alone!

[@archerarcher4794]

Awesome video, I sure appreciate you, I'm so looking forward to traveling in my little camper, and staying in Vegas and traveling out into the desert. Love you Wonderhussy

[@randallbarnes207]

The Paul Watkins book is also on the Cielo Drive site. "The Family" by Ed Sanders has a lot on the "Death Valley" day's.

[@dianeobrocki9548]

I like your shirt. I am showing my age, but I remember the bicentennial celebration. I was 16 at the time, they were all kinds of bicentennial celebrations that year. I studied about Charles Mason and true crime stories. I need to put that place on my bucket list of places to see. Thank you for taking us on your adventures. You are so entertaining.

[@doskraut]

I was at the ranch back in 77 and the well still had water, Wish you were around when I explored the desert. You truly enjoy exploring and would have been great to travel with.

[@Love2Jump200]

I kind of been binge-watching your videos. They're always so interesting I love them.

[@H71BCD]

At 17.11 - my signature ! We are from Worcester England and decided to try and visit Barker Ranch. We started off early on a Saturday in the rented Jeep Grand Cherokee that I had chosen at Las Vegas McCarron with the trip in mind. Right at the start of Goler there was deep loose shale but after that the canyon was fine and the standard Grand Cherokee didn't have any issues with the terrain. Now when I look back it was a crazy stupid thing to have done - as a tourist with no back up., but it was an experience.

[@theysucob]

thanks, why stupid, how long u stayed?

[@4LowRocks]

Cool video! I was there with the San Diego Jeep Club about a year after your adventure and made the same trek. We also went up to the Lotus mine up the hill from the "halfway house." Ballarat too - loved camping there. I have a 2-part video series on the weekend.

[@jc-vc7xq]

I was three yrs old and my dad took me and my brothers camping and off roading up there. We went by the barker ranch when the Manson family was there. I have a vague memory of seeing some of them.

[@jasonreese2088]

Thank you so much for the tour! Always appreciate these vids people make cuz I live in Florida, probably will never have the opportunity to go there myself.

[@bassage13]

You can go wherever you want. Just find a way, and do it.

[@carolynparral8434]

@@bassage13 "

[@kennethgentry2973]

Another excellent video, thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@Damon1915]

Such an amazing story teller! More of these please

[@jbmbryant]

"Charles Manson pooped here man...". LMAO!

[@scar_face9132]

I just had a reality check. I always pictured you to be larger than life because you are an idol to me. But you just said you were only 5’3 and that brought me back down to earth! You are so awesome. Keep keeping me entertained lol!!! 💯

[@boba6776]

Wow - You make history exciting!! Nice video - thanks. Bob

[@valentinodominus7078]

A lot of good video is in the movie “The Six Degrees of Helier Skelter” including an abandoned truck with Manson graffiti on it. Great video, Thanks for the tour!

[@nessatovey3653]

really interesting,im fascinated by the manson family too,i must visit that place one day,really appreciate your vids,its like going on an adventure with you

[@catwoman2967]

Thank you for going there. I would not be able to make the trek. You are awesome! Can't wait until the next show!

[@Arthur3661]

I remember the Manson family and their capture and trial, I watched it like the moon landing, what an eye opener it was to me.

[@vernwallen4246]

And if they had killed just ordinary people instead of high profile celeb's?

[@EastSide-qc5oy]

vern wallen If their victims were all like the LaBiancas and not like Tate and her friends, it probably still would have been a big deal considering the nature of the crimes as well as the killers. “Hippie cult” murdering middle class people in their homes would have garnered a lot of press. Not as much press as it did, but the public would have still been pretty freaked out. But the Hollywood connections are what put it over the top to being international media event.

[@gracieg7601]

I remember when it happened. I was so glad I didn’t live in California. Elvis lived within a couple of miles where the labiacias were killed and sharon Tate. He got really worried and beefed up the security on his house up there. He already had good security but he beefed it up more and closed up the security holes on the fences around his place. I was told that by a girl that used to date Charlie Hodge. So she was up there at his house allot. When he was there. He was making movies.

[@phonecards1]

Amazing how infamous people are remembered long after they are gone.

[@DVincentW]

So cool Sarah! Thanks for this tour. At night I bet theres some weird stuff going on.. when no one is around. Its not about production value; its about genuine experience. I love the bumper music.

[@MikeR55]

Another interesting video. Thanks. Love the history.. I was here in 2006 and saw the cabin before it burned. We rode our dualsport motorcycles over Mengle Pass and return here to explore Death Valley every couple of years.

[@markremillard1919]

I just started watching you you're pretty cool. But I agree with the guy it said you should do it naked

[@johnfrancis2215]

Another great video, keep them coming please and regards from Yorkshire England

[@victorsellers9136]

I love your videos, especially your narration. Keep it up Girl!

[@pixelmartyr8532]

10 stars! Awesome episode Sarah!

[@christopherneil988]

Loved it. Great story when told by you Wonderhussy.

[@KNGEveryday]

The 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s were very good times. The Country had some turmoil, but I grew up feeling safe and loved. It was a simpler time, and People were very friendly. I grew up poor, but never knew it, because I had every thing I needed. I did not have everything I wanted, so I had a reason to work hard and save. Thank you for your videos, because I grew up like many Other families from the South going back and forth to the West to find employment. Your videos brings back wonderful memories. If you ever make it through Arkansas, seriously look me up. There are some awesome places seek out.

[@randybeard6040]

Grandma Kay P--Couldn't Agree more with you--Same Living Conditions for me but have Fond Memories of that Era in Time....

[@kennysherrill6542]

Wow hope to go see all this places you take us to. Most of my travels have been to 29 Palms, Death Valley and China Lake. I just bought a 4 Wheel drive keep so I'll be out there haveing fun. Cb

[@NJcruiser]

Thanks for posting. I too have read a lot about Manson and the family and the murders. Creepy place now . A shame. Once it looked like it was a really nice cabin and ranch.

[@tomraw4893]

Thanks for the tour; you are great. At 23:33 a Pontiac, early to mid fifties, looks like.

[@geneloscowski3070]

Great video. Thanks for the adventure.

[@rickl7024]

Interesting video,,, got to love history even if it’s on the bad side, it’s still history

[@Gary-f4m]

Great video i have heard about the ranch thank you for showing us it safe travels 🥾🥾🥾

[@vangazmicvoyage5077]

I've seen many photos and videos of the barker ranch but I've never seen the trash heap! Didn't know that was there, wicked cool, thanks for sharing that. My guess is that old car is a Pontiac early fifties perhaps 1953-54. And thanks for the tip on Paul Watkins, I will definitely look that up. Dennis Wilson of the beach boys picked up a couple of the Manson girls hitchhiking and brought them back to his Hollywood home and that was Charlie's entry. Eventually Wilson and Manson had a falling out and Charlie stole the gold record. Have you read Ed Sanders book, "The Family"?

[@cheycasters]

This is at the Keystone Mine up the road on the hill. back in the 80's a good friend was running from the Ridgecest cops and he lived and worked there for three months. That was at the 'half way' house area.

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

The late 50's and the 60's&70's was a AWESOME time of life to grow up in!!!! Peace, love, war, pot, booze.... The only problem is I don't remember much of it... So when I say it was a awesome time I'm going off of what my friends use to tell me... LOL

[@justanotherdrunk]

jan 16 1992

[@plucy470]

Bobby Baldeagle same for me. Burn the bra was the best!

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

january161992 July 14 2018 will be 16 years clean and sober for me praise God!!!

[@marqueemark5917]

They must have stole that Gold record from Brian Williams

[@hestheMaster]

Interesting places with very interesting history behind them. The Huss describes stuff in her own way and so unlike most urban explorers on YT do which is a boring way.

[@brucejones5680]

I first saw the Manson group in the mountains south of ridgecrest. In one of the canyons. I couldn't believe they had a school bus there in the canyon I was riding my dirt bike.

[@theysucob]

the vibe as i start seeing the video if clearly from b4 the apocalypse even CM woudnt have imagined , he and all best people left b4 it

[@Stan_L]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@kaytme5915]

1963 Chevy truck! ❤ The rear section of the cab ROOF is the clue. Only Chevy had that shape ❤

[@randybeard6040]

Best Era of Time to Live as a Young person/Teenager--the Late 50's and Roaring 60's--Been there, Done that--Knowing what I Know Now-would Go Back in a Heartbeat....

[@kathy0698]

Had an Air Force friend that moved from Vegas to Hesperia. Went for a visit, believe it was 72, or 73. Went on a hike into a beautiful canyon, complete with clear running water pools and streams. Our friend knew an x Manson family member. We actually scored some weed from him. Think it was TJ, but cannot remember. Anyhow, was told this place we hiked to was close to where Manson and co., hung out. We slept overnight in that little canyon, and froze our asses off, but it was one night I will never forget.

[@steveharte8712]

The pickup truck with the beer bottle on the dash is either a 1960 GMC or a Chevy!

[@manders78]

I went up to the ranch when Honda 3-wheelers were legal to ride all the way to the house. It was still fully intact, now burned down. A few years later we tried to go again and a “Sign” 1/2 way up said no un-licensed vehicles beyond this point. So we ignored it and went up anyway. When were heading down to camp we were attacked by the Rangers and they were really pissed. Oopsy, we did no harm, but I guess rules are rules.

[@wanderingIvy67]

I think this is your most interesting video yet!

[@louishumphreys5451]

Little Paul's book is a great book to get a pic of the time.

[@stripervince1]

You're right about the family. You musta read helter skelter too. Awesome adventure. I was there once in the early 1980s. Was a lot more of it then

[@phillipjansen1222]

Thank you for the great video I visited there before it burned. You would have liked it more then.

[@markellsworth2814]

The sedan was a mid fifties Pontiac, and the truck you highlighted was a an early sixties GMC.

[@TheWozWizard]

Its a FORD truck.

[@markellsworth2814]

The truck she's talking about, starting around 23.52, is a GMC or a Chevy. Definitely not a Ford.

[@seanmarshall7603]

1953 Pontiac.

[@BogattheMoon]

'64 GMC, early 50s Pontiac.

[@blair79bear38]

yes, looks like what was referred to as the "Apache" A GM product. don't know if it was GMC or Chevrolet. The series that got the Big Block V6 ( 305, 351 ) optional.

[@kevins1114]

Talking about the desert reminded me of an old Bedouin saying - "The desert provides you with all you need to live. No luxuries, just what you need."

Kevin S I wander what the Bedouin definition of luxury is?

[@davedennis6042]

I would think it should go like this. "The desert provides you with all you need to live. And tries to kill you every day."

[@bassage13]

@ Toilet paper.

[@SteveTheFordGuy985]

Hi babe, love your videos, Your recent flight was way too cool, loved flying with you hussy :)

[@johncrowe9562]

From Wikipedia about Paul Watkins (Manson family). Death Watkins died in 1990 at age 40, of leukemia. He was the unofficial mayor of Tecopa, a small Death Valley town, where he lived with his second wife and their two daughters, one of whom is writer Claire Vaye Watkins.

[@hearsejr]

The truck was a Chevy or GMC C-10. Around 1963. I had a 1963 Chevy small window long bed step side and it was exactly like that one. You can tell by the wrap-around windshield. In 64 they did away with the wrap around and went to a sloped windshield with the pillers going forward.

[@gordbaker896]

Wow another 2fer. An early '50's Pontiac with the 'waterfall hood trim'. Patriotic specs but not the same as the old pair. Thanks for the tour. This is the second one here.

[@maggie8339]

Another great story!

[@Lion_McLionhead]

The mining roads were a lot newer in 1969, so it might have been less isolated.

[@billsmith8238]

Wow A hundred pounds of TNT what a blast & and pretty good description of you I would guess ? sure enjoy your videos!!!

[@tracksmokentrapper3795]

Another awsome adventure sarah .

[@michael636336]

Put solar panels on roof and walls to reduce air conditioning load. Use used panels from Ebay. Bit at 10 cents per watt.

[@willbarker1693]

I'm a Barker but not my ranch, our ranch was outside of Perryville, MO, called 'the farm' fun summers

[@TheBrotherofcats]

Very enjoyable vid. Hope you enjoyed the demolition demonstration.

[@Monkey-ut7ke]

There was a full kitchen, stove/oven, fridge etc. Just because there might not have been electricity there were kerosene powered refrigerators often used in out of the way places.

[@mobiltec]

That first cabin is the Newman cabin. They had a small mine in the area. Too bad it's getting so marked up now. Inside there is a signature of Tex Watson. Manson's right hand man. The road up Goler comes and goes. The rains wash it all out and make it pretty bad, then the county comes in and fixes it till the next time. Been up that road a hundred times. The second cabin was the main cabin area for the Lotus/Keystone Mine. Yes. That mine is way up at the top of that saddle in the back ground. Not an easy road to get up. There was a swimming pool just up from that cabin a bit. I have photos of the entire Barkers Cabin, inside and out before the fire. A friend of mine was actually there DURING the raid and took photos of the arrest which I have seen.

[@mobiltec]

Gold. That's what all the miners of Death Valley were after although there was silver out there too and a lot of talc. But in Goler Wash they were looking for gold. And they found it too. There are still active mining claims cherry stemmed out of the NP boundaries. Still a lot of gold left within the boundaries too. It is speculated that is one of the reasons places like this were made into national parks in the first place.

mobiltec thanks, excellent post and excellent information.

[@mobiltec]

Not sure the link will work here but if you want to see what Barkers Ranch looked like before the fire go here to my exploring pages. www.cannedhamtrailers.com/vacoct06part5.htm

[@nancyholm2995]

mobiltec thanks for sharing your slice of history! Really nice photos! Love the sunrise.

[@mobiltec]

My pleasure.

[@NetWit20]

It would be a lot of research, probably impossible, but I would like to retrace the route the Mansons took from Spahn Ranch to Death Valley. I read somewhere they did not take the interstate or any other road, but they somehow traversed the Mojave without using a road. Probably to avoid being pulled over as this final relocation was after the murders.

[@derekhannah9763]

According to the books it was Susan Atkins who started talking.

[@JeromeAz57]

Sweet! Love those double features! The car is a Pontiac and the truck is a Chevy.

[@louisyazzie3230]

I like your video 👍 Be safe out there 🌞👍🤠🙏

[@kevinjohnson8758]

Pontiac car. GMC/ Chevy truck. Another good one. As a stone mason the old walls tell a story.

[@switchblademinerva5285]

God you are fun Wonderhussy, thanks for the video.

[@royrice8597]

Painted over portion was probably the Mansons writings and painted over so no one would steal the wall!! And these people were NOT your everyday hippies in 1968-1969 !

[@tomfrye9037]

That ol' car looks like maybe ans Old S Mobile(8-). The truck I think is an old GMC...but could be just a reg'ler Chivy(8-). How much TNT?!?! Betcha that went of with quite a thump!(8-). Glad ya weren't sittin' on top of it. You'd still be in low earth orbit. Thanks for the tour!(8-)

[@dapperdanman1956]

Kicked out of the bowling alley! Lmao! WonderHussy strikes again! Totally exciting trip to Charlie's! Hideout!

[@patrickmcleod111]

Thank heavens you took the 2nd vehicle along, you know, for when the Suzuki Samurai breaks down! Lol. I always get the Samurai and the 'Geo Tracker' confused. Maybe the Samurai was slightly less terrible........ Anyway, wow the Barker ranch.... Some people still speculate that Bob Barker was indeed part of the Manson family, having become enamored with their sensible and attractive ideology while letting them stay on his ranch there. Who knows...... Lol. *Disclaimer: the Lol There denotes the fact that I was just joking. The Manson family ideology was neither sensible nor attractive!*

[@cyclingchantal]

My favorite "hmmm look I can watch over my sunglasses" girl ... 😍

[@pixelmartyr8532]

I'm not at all interested in that painting with Mason's ashes in it, Located in Zach Bagan's museum. But this I'm very interested in seeing. Good show Sarah!

[@alans1870]

Desert, tannerite explosions AND a DJ? That’s living.

[@johnholcomn8560]

Hell, yeah!

[@jeffpalmer5502]

that was a cool video! Suzuki Samurais they are badass they go places most rigs won't and if you treat them nice and maintain them well they last a long time! and blowing stuff up and shooting at Tannerite yeah that sounds like fun to me too!

[@5toed-lizard.]

They found Charles underneath the cabinet like you say, but there is no doors on the cabinet. It was just cloth like a curtain pulled across. I saw the cabinet before somebody set the place on fire..

[@MsNevadakid]

trippy adventure ! thanks "w-h".... ....happy trails....

[@joesimo11]

Where've you been all my life? ..lovin' your videos.!

[@davewilson6451]

Sarah, Glad to see you found some flag sunglasses to replace the ones you lost. Love that Easy Rider style, :-)

[@TheRooster1122]

Hey I got to tell ya Hussy” I would of never of know that half, these places even existed if, it weren’t for you friend!! Thank you for sharing you are a adventurous one!! Love ya Hussy!! 😍😍😜

[@crimsondawn328]

Wonderhussy I love you !!!

[@flop-000]

I like this. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@cheycasters]

I seen Charlie Manson eye to eye up in Panamint City the Sunday before they busted them the following Thursday. I was 13 then. I grew up in China Lake / Ridgecrest and these places were our back door exploring territory...