Exploring Abandoned Mines - Death Valley Overland Adventure

[@matthew.tamasco]

The look on Marco's face watching others try his food explains why he puts in all the work. That was a look of pure joy and pride. Can't wait for the cookbook.

[@TrailRecon]

He genuinely loves cooking for others. His cook book is out: amzn.to/3v6fiXZ

[@FamilleJalbert]

@@TrailRecon I j ust buy it last Night :-)

[@stevensoutdoors]

That was totally it. The camera was on both of them, but rather than watching the guy trying the food, I was watching Marco watch him take the first bite.

[@bobbysmith7528]

And he is vegetarian so that even more shows his dedication to the art of cooking. What a genuine dude.

[@andy.bailey]

I was just going to type the same thing!

[@miguelmanning4079]

As a geology undergrad from Texas A&M we took a 9-day camping trip to Death Valley mapping the the park. Just outside of Death Valley I found a 500 million year old trilobite.

[@errhka]

Super fun out there - all of the UCs head out for the paleontology labs.

[@CarlosSanchez-cq1lf]

That’s awesome

[@marcfunstuff1687]

I need to put my geology hat back on before I do this trip. MU Geology '83. Also, wear a hard hat!!

[@fjb4932]

And yet these school kids Still think they're gonna "save the planet". In 100 years all that are alive now will be dead. How arrogant to think they're gonna do anything that really matters. Pity the fool ...

[@miguelmanning4079]

@@fjb4932 well that’s a pretty shitty outlook on life. That’s not how progress works dude. Someone doesn’t make a new groundbreaking scientific discovery overnight and it magically fixes everything. You build off of other peoples ideas until someone puts it all together. It’s small steps that add up. Do you think Einstein was the only person working on general relativity or he just started from scratch?

[@kirbytheap]

So relaxing watching your videos. When some of us are stuck at home, your videos takes us out for a ride.

[@MrArkar87]

Can't wait see rig walk around for gladiator with alu cab camper. From Australia.

[@TrailRecon]

We'll be doing that for sure!

[@scottmacdonald1877]

Problem is the Gladiator bed isn't really big enough....

[@timothychristensen9808]

Need a rig walk-around on the blue JT. Love the shell!

[@horaciolopez7721]

Yes please, also is it diesel?

[@TrailRecon]

Yes, it's a diesel. Walk around in the future for sure.

[@OMACMedicFiveZero]

@@TrailRecon liked the video for this exact reason lol Awesome video.

[@bates6713]

@@OMACMedicFiveZero 2 questions; 1) Why did you lick the video 2) How can I also lick the video???

[@OMACMedicFiveZero]

@@bates6713 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😂

[@vdub5818]

Just got word on Monday that our Ecodiesel Rubicon Wrangler is done being built ETA to dealer between 3/1 - 3/15. We are so psyched and can't wait to get it on the trail. We also grabbed an M1102 HMMWV trailer to turn into an overland rig. Thanks for all the content Brad!

[@TrailRecon]

Congrats! That will be a great combination.

[@hughwolfe1176]

Brad you are totally correct regarding the perception surrounding Death Valley, I had no idea it contained so much history. All of your Jeeps look very capable negotiating that rocky terrain, and yes I’ll vote for some walk arounds as well... Thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@dmwi1549]

I like the way Marco watches how you react to his cooking. Someone who truly enjoys the process and satisfaction others receive from his labor. Culinary wizard of the outback! Like the new paint job too Marco!

[@phillipyoung4933]

When exploring mines like these, strongly suggest bringing a 500 ft string or similar, tie to the entrance to find your way back out

[@ianmburke]

Guess who's back, Marco's back tell a friend! 🙌👊👊 Great overlanding duo (Like Tim and Al) on Home Improvement

[@TrailRecon]

It was great to have him back out on another adventure! I loved home improvement!

[@greygoose4x46]

Home improvement was awesome!

[@steveegbert7429]

It never ceases to amaze me that vegetarian Marco can whip up such fantastic meat forward meals! Kudos Marco!

[@jameswalker8858]

Amen again, i need to hire him next time I go out!

[@naja281]

I need that tire carrier on the Dynatrac Jeep!!!! Love it!

[@wardperozuk2782]

Ya, watching Marco work his magic is awesome! Thanks for taking us along Brad! Cheers.

[@AlbertoGarcia-lz6fe]

Señor Marco es chingon cosinero ya lo avia visto en otro video en mexico se la rifa el don 👍

[@BucksMom218]

What a fabulous trip! And of course Marco’s Mexican meatballs look great!! What a joy you guys are to watch...thanks for these vids!😋

[@S595Husky]

Started binge watching your vids. Love the Death Valley and Baja vids the most....so far. Love that you went through the town of Trona. Some real Hoo-Yah content!

[@fwschnaar3179]

Had to be a Treat Wheel’n with Jim... Cannot count the number of Videos I have watched with Him, and the Trips he has been on... # goodtohavetheexperience👍

[@TrailRecon]

A true honor to be out on the trail to some of his favorite spots!

[@4x4_travel]

It's fortunate to have someone who can deliver a part to you in the desert. You guys were lucky to have made it back to civilization before it broke. Great video and thanks for taking us along.

[@friendsofpubliclandcabins4757]

Thank you for your respectful treatment of the desert, the mines and the cabins. We love all of it as much as you do.

[@stevetabor4447]

Old mines cabins an history of those before us is my passion love it, if you get those glow sticks when going in mines drop on floor along the way works good saved me few times, Marcos cooking wow 👍👍 great adventure guy’s thanks for sharing brad as always be safe 👍👍👍👍👍

[@TrailRecon]

I love trips like this when we can explore cool places like mines and cabins along the way. Thank you!

[@JM-gz1ej]

I thought this was just another travel vlog on KZbin. But I am totally blown away by the rich contents and professional presentations Great job.

[@kirkrice2152]

I had to play this for my wife just for the recipe of the meatballs. Then we rewatched it and the rest of this series for the awesome sights and the other meals!

[@JohnDoe-zw4nl]

Just bought a 2017 Jeep you have me psyched for some mods!!!!! Fantastic channel 🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘

[@DFDuck55]

If you're going to go in mines, even "Tourist Class" mines like these, wear a helmet. It is only a tunnel if it goes all the way through the mountain and comes out on the other side. Otherwise it's called an adit. The entrance to the adit is called the portal. 13:31 That's not a mill, it's an ore bin. The ore was dumped into it, you'll probably find ore car tracks at the top of it. From the ore bin it was dumped into wagons or trucks and taken to a mill. The table with the rolling spools at 14:29 is where they measured the detonation chord. The det chord burns at a certain distance per second or minute. So if they needed 5 minutes to get out of the mine they knew how many feet of chord they needed to give that time delay before the dynamite went off. The wooden structure at 15:00 was a skip chute. They would put their tools in box, sometimes wood sometimes metal, called a skip cart that was hoisted up the skip chute to an upper level they were working. The level you were on with the cart tracks is called the main haul level, because all the ore from the upper levels came down ore chutes to that level, loaded into ore carts and hauled out of the mine. The ladder going up to the upper level at 15:26 is called a manway. The metal rod to your right (left side of the portal) at 15:41 is a drill bit used to make the holes for the dynamite. The method used to explore mines without getting lost is called the "right hand rule". When you come to a split "always" take the right hand option. Follow that drift to it's end, called the face. Come back out of that drift and make the next right. Always go right. Using this method you should be able to see the entire mine and end up back at the portal. Worse case you just go left left left and back track your way out. Wear a helmet!

[@jdsleesman7287]

The blue gladiator, that looks interesting!!! Nice overland setup!!

[@dirtheaddavis366]

Indiana Jim from Dynatrac! Looks like an awesome adventure!

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

AWESOME ADVENTURE SO FAR AND STICK TO YOUR RIBS FOOD TOO 😋 GLAD EVERYONE IS HAVING A GREAT TIME 👍 BE SAFE ! GORGEOUS WEATHER SCENERY COLORS VIEWS BEAUTY LANDSCAPE 😀 IT'S NICE TO HAVE SPECIAL FRIENDS YOU CAN COUNT ON TOO . THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TAG ALONG WITH YOU ALL ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED !

[@rickvalen8085]

You guys are living it, exploring on awesome rigs and eating amazing foods by marcos .

[@coldbay2005]

This is totally awesome! You guys have some crazy ass rigs and are doing it right! Happy Trails!

[@Mineboy-10-8]

Brad, Love your videos. I'm so happy I'm part of the Trail Recon Family. Funny, you started with just an IPHONE when you first got your JK....Look how far you've come!!!! Congratulations I'm sure you worked so very hard. Now you make a living doing what you love....You are truly blessed!

[@no_handle_required]

Thank you for this. It's the way I'm getting out. You probably have no idea how much that means, but trust me, it's huge.

[@woop2235]

When the pan was sizzling I could’ve sworn I smelled that good food in my room!!! The truth 🥰💯❤️🔥

[@Bolle282]

I love your positive videos.What ever happens you make the best out of it!!! Thank you so much for your work. It keeps my spirits up for future adventures. And the food looks amazing so jealous!!!!

[@scottmacdonald1877]

My youngest nephew and his friends just did a six day DV trip. All in their secondhand Yotas. So stoked they did it.....Minietta Mine. I spent four days there solo right before Thanksgiving. That place rocks. All of the solar powered lights at night. A National Heritage site. Set up my matress and sleeping bag in the cabin and camped inside! Watching F18 Hornets fly down Panamint Valley in the afternoon. So cool. Had an F18 fly 30' over the top of me off of Panamint Valley rd.

[@iamblaineful]

Loved it, absolutely beautiful. It's also always nice to see someone else have to do some surprise repairs, I don't want to be the only one.

[@SeeMyHappiness]

Gotta love Death Valley. Went overlanding in our RV to Saline Valley. Dumb mistake, but good story. We are now mid building an overlanding trailer set up for long trips! Awesome video! Thank you!

[@stefanvanhees8364]

Hi Brad, enjoying your videos for a while now. We are saving to make our own world trip, you have given us many ideas about our future build. The dinner that Marco made for you is a typical Flemish dish. We have a tradition of eating it at Easter. We name it “vogelnestjes” or translated “birdnests”. Greetings from Antwerp!

[@mariafishnfooorivas3858]

Gotta love those camp and cooking moments! They always make me just want to get up and go!!

[@TexanUSMC8089]

Does anyone take a sniffer with them when going into old mines? Sometimes the air can be bad and you won't know it until it's too late.

[@TheNitroGeneral]

Great video and thank you for shearing the beautiful adventure and freedom off yours. Please give some pointers on what kind of gear that u need to bring along on and in the Jeep. Beautiful adventure. Stay safe and enjoy life 🤠

[@IRONJUNK625]

Glad I found TrailRecon. Give's me my camping fix ;)

[@chrisjmiller6]

Excellent job capturing the beauty of the area. Sure looks like a great place to spend time with good friends.

[@AdnanKhan-ky3jp]

Wow! Better then National Geographic...hehe. awesome photography, enjoyed a lot, thank you for sharing your adventures.

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@herbertwagner6571]

Cool to see that Marco and you could perform this trip with the trailer on the rock road. Beautyful place, want to Go there sometime

[@rhinoadventuregear3098]

Brilliant as always guys - Love it. Josh, your heel reflectors came in handy in those mines :)

[@socalexpedition]

RIGHT!!! I never saw them until this video...hahahaha

[@jorgesandibogantes1331]

Hola amigos saludos desde Costa Rica, me encanta seguir sus videos porque siento que los acompaño en cada viaje.. Mis mejores deseos de bienestar para todos..

[@OVRLNDX]

Saludos!!!

[@ddesilva61]

Hola Jorge, just got to visit your country of Purra Vida for first time. En la futura, conduciendo desde Florida hasta Costa Rica en my Jeep :)

[@jorgesandibogantes1331]

@@ddesilva61 I'll wait for you as long as you get it right, this country is a paradise for overlanding Pura vida Darren.

[@cliffnix9301]

I love your videos and seeing all the cool places. I wish there was better spots around me to explore and spend days checking out while wheeling. I can't wait for Marco to show a video with new recipes, since that's something I can do even if there aren't great trails around, I can still have awesome food while camping around here. Both of you please keep up the great content!

[@Kapukawai]

If anything positive came out of the pandemic is finding this channel. I have gone back and watched a lot of the old content, I follow trailrecon and overlandx on IG and I get so excited when there is new video. I am still outfitting my rig but, I got a solid bunch of friend's about 3-4 families and we have a whole bunch of camping trips planned but, can't wait to get out and do some serious non campsite exploring. Thank You for the great content and inspiration, hope to see you guys out on the trail some day.

[@eqcmdeg]

Hey MasterChief!! I’ve got the same hat. Picked it up at the NEX at NAS North Island. Another great video! Missed the drone shots. Your doing a Great Job, keep it up!

[@gunshow7425]

Awesome video as always, Doc! I'd like to see a walkaround on the blue JT with the Alu-Cab in a future video.

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks and will be doing a walk around once he gets everything mostly finished with his build. You can follow him on instagram @socalexpedition

[@MotorBoating1413]

As always love the videos. Some day I’ll be able to tag along and enjoy some of Marcos fine cooking. Thanks again for taking us all along.

[@sandralutz-rodriguez2864]

That looked so adventurous and so interesting. Can’t wait to see the next part

[@garyw8362]

Another great video and can't wait for the next part. You're in my stomping grounds and while home enjoyed the refresher course. I only wished you could have spent more time on each of your stops. So much was missed, but of course this isn't supposed to be a video marathon. To be honest i'm the author of the thread on the local site titled "the internet is killing the desert" and I will stick by my thoughts. But the death bell has been rang. And i'll enjoy videos like yours from home. I'm getting older and won't be able to make the trip much longer so the loss is really just for the young. The adventure of spending years discovering locations on your own by miles on the trail are over it seems. I guess my time has passed as a discoverer of new things. And perhaps todays travelers don't really want that. Garyw

[@jk_wrangler13]

One of your best videos yet. Love seeing what's out there in death valley. I'll never get the chance to go out there myself so I'm glad your bringing it to me here at my home. I would like to see an overview of that Gladiator.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you! We'll be taking a closure look at the JT in the future.

[@johncrowder4297]

Glad to see Texas on ur shirt , in am a trans plant and hope to visit family soon , when this mess is over . I Enjoy all ur trips and can almost taste Mario's food

[@lloydrage]

Great job once again on the video. I love the dynatrac jeep. It looks amazing !!!

[@AustinH7]

It’s good to see some more overlanding adventures again!

[@weshawkins7165]

My dad use to prospect out there back in the 50’s and 60’s. He use to take his 51 willy’s up the road to Panamint City when you use to be able to do that.

[@pismo6111]

You could not get me in those tunnels.Awsome video 20 minutes seemed like 20 seconds again,Thanx

[@bobcrankshaw1909]

Dang our group just went through there last week in our jeeps. We must have just missed you you guys. Great area!

[@jasonmoore6448]

Great video. I love exploring old mining complexes. Intriguing and great history. Also, love the Texas shirt!!

[@stevea3936]

The camper in the JT looks sweet. Is that the Alu-Cab Khaya or the GoFast camper?

[@seekoutbeauty]

It’s an alu-cab canopy camper.

[@dnlalxndr]

Sweet trip so far. Looking forward to the next vid. Ill be heading up to DV from Eureka Dunes down to the Racetrack next weekend. It will be great to get the intel on the trails.

[@TheFrozenDesert]

Red, White, and Blue. Nice.

[@albertoalvarez9729]

I'm a new subscriber. loved your channel. This video is awasome. Tell Marco he is a great sheft. And I loved his knife. I'll be waiting for your next video.

[@guylongley1573]

Some of my favorite places. I've done those mines when we have Panimint Valley Days in November. Love Death Valley. 👍😁

[@problu9586]

Luv exploring Death Valley NP, 'cept, I've gone soft. Prefer hotel/motel sleeping with flushing toilet and hot shower, plus indoor restaurant dining. However, glad to learn about DV sites I have yet to visit from vids such as these. Many thanks.

[@JakeTaylor1646]

I love watching Brad's videos I gotta say Brad beautiful setup that camper goes great with your new Jeep!

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks 👍

[@trjnsd6874]

"Cover me - I'm goin' in!" Y'all have more guts than I - first thing I'd be thinking at the mine entrance is "How far is that San Andreas Fault?!" (How far can you throw a football?!) Great scenes outside the mines though. Great time of year too, before it gets hot! Love the rigs and having a knowledgeable guide. Thanks for taking us along!

[@AndrewTurner251]

I really enjoyed this video it was great, seeing Marco with that camp kitchen, patriot setup is awesome.

[@ajourneyinthewild]

Man what a cool video to watch ! Thanks Brad! Jeep wave from South Africa 🇿🇦 👋🏽

[@67wildwolf]

some how my camp food never looks as good as Marco's guess that's why he's the master! The look on Jim's face said all you need to say.....it was like wow this is really camp food? Thanks again Brad for another great one.

[@jacquesgude]

Man! Watching you all on that trail headed up to the Defense Mine has me thinking I need to call my Ford dealer to add the Sas package to my Badlands, just to give me a little more of a fighting chance of making it up trails like that (I'm not a rock crawler on purpose, but want to be able to do so if it's the only way to see a great location). Oh, and those meatballs... MAN! Marco's the man!

[@jerrymestas1231]

Man!!!!! I've been telling my wife we need to go there. And you guys are exactly where I want to go, I just told my wife and she said let's go. Time to ink it in on the calendar.

[@beniaminv]

I love your adventures! And I recently made Marco’s chimichury sauce. Tried it with 2 different tacos. It completely changed the flavor and there were no left overs! Then made it with southwest chicken and again no left overs!

[@reddogdude]

Great video! All of the sites you guys saw looked awesome but it was really great to see how everyone was enjoying each other’s company. Nice camaraderie!

[@JEIWILBER]

Its essencial in such places, surviving is the game...

[@e.c.8668]

Would the new Power Wagon have made it up to the Defense mine? And... you all need to create a TrailRecon Cook Book with the recipes!!! I'd buy.

[@martinshea6967]

Love your trail videos. Another place to add to the list. Thank for sharing.

[@Thomas-qk7wf]

Impressive to see the trailers being pulled through crawler sections. Well done....

[@TobyCostaRica]

17:40 Not sure which one of my friends I would call to delivery a bolt to Death Valley at 11pm. Thats a good friend right there!

[@kebob2150]

DV is one place I miss after leaving SoCal. Thanks for sharing the great video.

[@Wolfmots]

I've been through that area too many times to count between Edwards and China Lake. What a great area. Hopefully you guys go explore the roads north of Nellis, there's lots to see around there, just mind the signs to the base to the north, they get pretty upset when you cross over.

[@davekendall1338]

Looks awesome. Keep the adventures coming!

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks! Will do!

[@sonnicman]

Always fun seeing Jim, Josh, and Marco. I see that Jim was quickly indoctrinated into camp Marco. No Dinty Moore for you Jim. When at camp Marco you eat real well lol.

[@hcrffi]

👍👍 As an tour bus driver, I've been at Death Valley many many times, but never at those cool places you are visiting with your buddies. Wish I was there with you guys.

[@williamquick4807]

I just recently traded my JLUR for a JT and I'm looking at probably setting mine up like this one so can't wait for the walk around video of the blue gladiator

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Brad thank you for sharing this, I plan to do this trip this year and get some great footage like you always do.

[@shefdankennedy355]

No Power Wagon....I was looking forward to you driving that some more!!! Awesome video as always!!!

[@douglansburg4545]

Love that Dyna Trac jeep

[@TrailRecon]

That thing is a best on 39's!

[@JohnMacLeanPhotography]

12:22 What a view!

[@davidmoran6398]

I’m headed almost the same route at the end of the month. Thanks for prerunning for us!

[@enriquerrs]

Great video! Marco really loves cooking that's a plus when you're overlanding

[@RubberTrampRenegade]

Your videos just make me smile. That’s all.

[@jumpingbean69]

Y'all ever make it to Cerro Gordo? Brent up there would probably LOVE to tell you all about the history of the mines and the town.

[@Wanderer509-]

Great video! I want to camp with marco! I spent about a week camped out at panamint springs, explored the area on my plated xr 400. I’m not a great rock hopper, the defense mine trail kicked my butt, but well worth it. I left some skin and blood on the lippincott!! Lol.

[@bobbysmith7528]

Always appreciate your content and the meals of Marco. All the best brother😎

[@aaronlclubb]

You’ve got some great friends to wheel with!

[@TrailRecon]

You got that right!

[@stevend9124]

Finally winter is gone! time to do some camping awesome video 👍👍👍

[@TrailRecon]

Perfect time of year to be out in Death Valley!

[@stevend9124]

@@TrailRecon yes sir

[@jlee6410]

Cmon Brad, I live right around the corner from here. When you said you'd call and we'd hang out I thought you meant it, lol. I also had a tie rod...

[@MikeMartin-fj6vs]

Marco is the man!