I Found This 'X' On Google Earth In Nevada And Went To See What It Was!

#googleearth #exploring #hiking #explore
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I really hope you enjoyed this adventure! It means so much to me that you spent the time watching it. If you enjoyed this, please consider subscribing. I strive to bring relatively unknown, odd, unique, and special places to you each week!
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NOTE: I do not claim to be an expert on anthropology, geology, or archaeology. I am just a hiker who loves to explore and see new things especially the ancient history that is all around us. This is what my channel is about. I hope you stick around and explore with me!
I do not give out locations to the places in my videos. I take seriously the responsibility to protect and respect these ancient places. If you do find/visit one of these locations, please visit respectfully. Do not take any artifacts or relics. Do not climb on ruins or dig or disturb the ground. I try my best to hide noticeable landmarks, mountains, and canyons in my videos.
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[@justbob2133]

Hi Jeff, those are aerial survey panels, back in the early 80's I set a number of these in Arizona while doing land surveys on large parcels of land. We typically set "L" shaped panels at the precise corners of the parcel, and the "X" would've been the center.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Really? How would one find it, other than by air?

[@257Tony]

@@bethbartlett5692 EIther get lucky and walk up on one, or use satellites!

[@brianhultquist4281]

This is correct response

[@Romans12_18]

We need to Fact Check this 😂 but I can see a 1970s rancher wanting to get a Birdseye view of a prospective ranch.

[@spacexrocks1041]

Reminds me of 'Sky King' for some reason. Love that show!

[@arailway8809]

Fifty years ago, before GPS, they had aerial surveys where airplanes flew over large areas and photographed the ground. Ground surveyors would precede those aerial surveys and place those white X's on the ground. They had big tables to spread the photos on and peace together the pictures with the X's. You can see them on old soils maps put out by the Dept. of Agriculture. Good hunting

[@paulbolus9399]

That pole with the alu-tape is probably used as a radar beacon?

[@UpNorthChuck]

Why is this comment written like a poem 😂

[@369motoman]

USGS not dept of ag

[@markwitt9299]

I have personally placed markers on the ground for surveying that look just like that

[@treefrog3679]

@@369motoman yes. USGS is under the Dept. of the Interior.

[@Google]

Thanks for sharing this adventure!

[@CATSCEO]

Wait why are you here

[@chiyo9014]

You commenting is more mysterious than the x...

[@jackychan8539]

Google sucks

[@JTube571]

@@jackychan8539 Might want to delete your account here then.

[@meganh1603]

Woah Google commented

[@brianmeaux3072]

looks like a panel point for an aerial survey, I’ve set a bunch of these in my time as a surveyor. I dig your channel !😁

[@tracyk3567]

There’s something comforting in the way you are always smiling in all of your videos. 😊. I hope you are as happy as you seem.

[@SwirlingSoul]

Thank you so much for taking us along on your trips! I'm still on my bed almost all the time and I am enjoying these trips more and more. I feel like I've been there and it was fun to see! I don't care if we find really modern technology, or if we find ancient things or nothing at all. The trip is fun! However... me being me: I could never find an X...and leave it without digging right underneath the middle of it. Like an archaeological dig, but also a treasure hunt. Those nails were hand made/hand hammered. Gold rush era.... me thinkz. But that still doesn't say much about their origins. 🤓

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

Totally!!! X marks the spot!!! There’s buried treasure under them thar rocks! 💰💎🏴‍☠️

[@gambrinus1110]

My guess is that it's a marker for some kind of ecological study. Researchers will mark spots for repeated measurements over time. These could be the start of a transect. You can walk along a path at a specific direction and distance and record information about the plants along the way. If you can go back to the same spot at a later time you'll be able to compare vegetation composition over the years. Awesome content, keep it up!

[@TekedixXx]

I thought this too but instead of walking from the point I'm assuming it could be for a satellite, or some scanning aircraft.

[@phildmover]

Jeff, have you ever thought about Geocaching some of your adventure’s? You might get us off the chair and outside? Great work! Phil

[@ageny101]

I believe it's a "target" used for an aerial survey. Either designating a survey point like a bench mark or section corner, or a waypoint for a powerline or possible pipeline...I worked for an engineering firm in the mid-70's using similar "targets" to map a high tension powerline from Wyo to OR...

[@anthonycolbourne4206]

Photogrammetry mapping reference point. The cross point in the "T" or "X" is at a land survey marker...

[@katewestcottvt]

Survey markers 😮

[@sharonbaxter1449]

@@katewestcottvt My first thought was a marker for drugs, but the survey is more likely.

[@noyopacific]

@@sharonbaxter1449 that was a reasonable guess so I'l give you credit for imaginative speculation ! 😄

[@JessePazzi]

exactly.

[@mamapillow8365]

Thanks for taking us with you again. You never know what you're gonna find, not every hike leads to spectacular ruins, but the hike is still nice.

[@mrsmissy2669]

It may only be a aerial marker, but it was fun finding it with you so we could figure it out. Thanks!

[@JT-xh4zm]

I enjoy your adventures - even the short ones. I will never have the chance to hike out there so I love getting to tag along with you. THANKS!

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

me 2

[@larryg7806]

I agree with the comments about the X being an aerial photo target. I spent over two decades in city government water department GIS mapping. We previewed aerial photos using those targets to help edge-match the photos. They're more prevalent in open country.

[@goodiesgumdrops1164]

On a Tuesday? 🙏 Thank you, can't wait ❤

[@1nvisible1]

*Some guy trying to delineate his property line marker for a buyer who was flying over or not actually putting boots on the ground before they purchased.*

[@rodneywalden5358]

Maybe an aerial navigation mark.

[@WilhelmvonFahrvergnugen]

for early USPS flights.

[@mhicaoidh1]

Yep that's an aerial navigation marker. Though most actually are in the shape of an arrow, not a Christian cross. So, it's likely not an "official" marker. Satellite calibration markers are typically more of a + sign or "iron cross" shape. Also, they are much larger.

[@xwhite2020]

looks too small for anything needed by an aeroplane.

[@opheliadeclines]

My thought was an aerial guide for some old enterprise.

[@mhicaoidh1]

@@xwhite2020 yeah, it's definitely not an official marker of any kind. I agree that it's really small for an aerial marker. But, you'd walk/drive right past it if you were using it for land navigation. Though, the upright pole with metallic tape on it would suggest at least a maintenance marker, but possible land navigation/directional indicator. Overall, not a good marker. ;) But, having spent some time in the desert, one thing is clear ... people do all kinds of things out there.

[@Miningpastpresentfuture]

It is for aerial photogrammetry / surveying. The steel pin is a hard surveyed point the cross allows the surveyor to assemble a combined montage of the individual photos and to put a topographic map over the photo map.

[@julieinthedesert420]

It's very weathered. Could have been a large "x" at one point.

[@juliereyes8783]

Great video Jeff! Love your inquisitive mind. Thanks for taking us on another adventure. Best to you and family.

[@julieinthedesert420]

The mojave is always a great place to visit! Thanks for another great one! ❤

[@mmonkeyking1188]

Those are satellite calibration markers.

[@ADRE444]

Lol he should have asked us first 🤣

[@edjanesherwood3067]

It could be a drop off zone for illegal drugs, the reflective tape on the t-post, is so when the vehicle comes in to pick up, they can locate the spot. That's what I think anyway.

[@stevesteen7002]

I think maybe a military target for training purposes

[@Romans12_18]

Nah.. the government wouldn't think so cheap and logical. They would spend a billion dollars making a grand marker.

[@shaneruggles5507]

Too temporary for satellites....more likely a drop point

[@PattyPrescott]

I had previously made a negative post about this video, but have changed my mind. Your channel is fast becoming one of my favorite KZbin channels, and I am enjoying your adventures. My apologies, and thank you for your adventurous spirit and bringing us along with you. Stay safe.

[@alc4ever24]

What about this video could possibly warrant a negative post.

[@Materialworld4]

Jeff, I have no idea what that marker was for, none. But it does remind me that in the early years of Air Mail there were fairly large white markers on the ground for pilots to utilize for navigation. Gotta Love This Weather. Take Care Jeff.

[@mjmdiver1137]

This is what I first thought this might have been from the video thumbnail, but those were all made of concrete IIRC and I think they were mostly arrows. These are almost certainly markers for aerial surveys.

[@GrumpyClaus]

Love your videos. I am wondering if you could let us know the temperature on your hikes … I would ask for humidity (being from Midwest but it’s the desert) … we can appreciate how crazy you are on some of your hikes!

[@Fragrantbeard]

I've wondered that too, as someone who lives in a very different climate/ecosystem.

[@MIA-Man]

Hi Jeff, Love your program! I am an archaeologist. Recommendation: when you refer to “arrowheads” consider using the scientific term “points.” So “arrow points” is the terminology used by archaeologists. Keep up the good work! Best, Brad

[@herbieschwartz9246]

Not correct. Don't guess and put that out there as fact. Its a target for aerial cartography.

[@nickthomas6206]

i believe he was talking about looking for arrowheads on the ground insteas of pot sherds on this particular outing, or arrow points i guess is the proper term

[@philthycat1408]

Great to be with you, very interesting. It would be nice to be with you on your drive out to these places. See what the scenery is like 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jazzdoucet7543]

I came from the ruins videos but this is the video that made me subscribe. I love the hiking vibes, no matter what you find!

[@DingbadYoutube]

Sometimes just learning and seeing different stuff is enjoyable. Thanks for the video.

[@PREPFORIT]

It still looks like fun exploring outdoors !!

[@kathyhays9819]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@sandysue202]

That was a cool video. I see several comments that clarify what this is for. I have seen pics of the concrete x's before, but I didn't know they also used this plastic material. Good trek! ❤

[@billbucktube]

Georgio would say, “Isn’t it reasonable to speculate that ancient aliens needed navigational aids to find their secret hollow earth bases?”

[@Bardmusic66]

Ancient alien theorists say yes

[@mt0115]

Still a great and interesting adventure, I like that some of the answers are spot on. Great day for a hike.🍺😎

[@tglass0000]

Another interesting find! You are a master of creating suspense!

[@zippitydoodah5693]

This " X " was most DEFINITELY put there to mark the spot. 😉

[@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm]

We don't even know after all these years if it was a cross or x. Winds blow. Dust blows. Who knows? Readers must care. I'm just not sure why.

[@zippitydoodah5693]

@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm It's a tongue-in-cheek comment. It is a tautology.

[@brotherbreeze8351]

@@zippitydoodah5693 It is what it is. 😉

[@8chohgee135]

@@zippitydoodah5693 Well, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

[@aaronfodor5207]

Elon likes that letter.

[@BywaysnoHighways]

Hey there! Just found you and subscribed. Love seeing places like this! Curious, what is the e-bike you use?

[@ariesflies]

I thought at first it was going to be a concrete marker for the airmail beacon system. Very interesting!

[@blipjockey3100]

Jeff, I appreciate your adventures and the time you take to share them. I think you should consider taking an Archeology class at the U to help us all better understand what you are seeing. Just a thought.

[@skyeseaborn1170]

This was interesting Jeff. The comments were fun to learn from. Thank you, members of the viewing community, for offering understanding.👍

[@pfbilyeu8105]

Enjoy your adventures!! 🌵

[@PaladinPierce]

Probably for aerial survey. Depending on where you are, it could be a marker used by the Nevada test site or Nellis AFB.

[@goldfieldgary]

I enjoyed your backcountry video! Joshua trees are not cacti, but are actually in the Lily family. You can see the resemblance when they are in bloom.

[@sarndall]

Thank you for entertaining us!

[@brettandsamthailand]

In Australia, we have those markers for aerial photography. Check with a surveyor they would explain to you.

[@j.sanders4017]

I've also seen these markers used for the same purpose in the San Pedro River Valley of central Arizona (usually in relation to aerial surveying for future copper mining).

[@Will-Parr]

A fun adventure. Congrats

[@user-jo8vx2xx8j]

These are almost certainly aerial targets for land survey. There are ground signals like you were talking about that predate circa WWII and the common use of flight instruments, back in the days when Lindberg was flying mail routes.

[@anthonyzeller4995]

Early satellite mapping and tracking?

[@stanleybridge]

Thanks Jeff.👍

[@mikedameron602]

I think Miranda, in a previous comment, explained the reason your compass was off from the orientation of the cross' legs. My job in the USAF required orientation of area surveys to true north. I had to explain Magnetic declination once in Greenland where declination was over 90 degrees. I still don't think they believed me, but we were well north of magnetic north pole. I like your videos and used to find and photograph ruins and petroglyphs while stationed in New Mexico and Arizona. You've got the right attitude..."take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints".

[@gmaple8179]

Survey marker. Thanks for not disturbing the sites. We can follow behind and see the same thing. Keep it up

[@icandivideos5743]

hearing your footsteps I felt like I was walking with you! 😀

[@josephmarques237]

Likewise, I did the same thing working on a survey crew in Arizona in the 80s. We would also set a pin in the center and shoot in the coordinates and elevation so when the aerial survey was done, they had corresponding survey data.

[@patriciamoore-rx4xo]

I came across a couple of those in the 1970/80's and they were fairly fresh. I was in an area where they govt was building tunnels and a deep underground military base.

[@anthonycolbourne4206]

Photogrammetry mapping reference point/control point. The cross point in the "T" or "X" is at a land survey marker... (known reference point)

[@sarahkelley9045]

This is why i dig youtube. Just went a desert advebture with this dude. How fun!

[@mirandahotspring4019]

If that's an old aerial survey marker it would have most likely been lined up north/south east/west on either a true north or grid north axis. You indicated north to be a bit to the west which is correct for compass north, magnetic declination for Nevada area is about 5 deg 20 min west, depending exactly where in the state you were, so true north would be about where the panel was pointing.

[@fir3norm]

Perfect place to dig 😊

[@marycotton6009]

It's an adventure & we all need & adventures. I think what you are doing is cool, you are actually acting on your curiosity which is good for the soul. LOL.... You got my vote

[@edwardmorvant7054]

I think you have it right about it being an aerial marker. The material would reflect well at night. The stake with the reflective tape is interesting. Maybe for low flying aircraft? It didn’t appear that the area was heavily trafficked or even moderately trafficked.

[@Catwrangler1953]

You should go visit the various concrete arrows and old beacon pads in the desert used in early aviation .

[@danasmith8557]

Thanx for sharing ur videos ...I have no idea what the X means , but good adventure ❤

[@stewartbrennand4987]

Definitely an aerial survey target. I have set many of them.

[@opheliadeclines]

Going along for these little adventures is so much fun! I'd suspect your authenticity if every trek was an ancient site or deep mystery. Some mysteries are more 🤷‍♀️ than 😱

[@dprofessorscritters8762]

Illicit drop site. Navigation arrows and x's from the early centuries are normally in cement.... I've come across several in my wandering in NM. Asked border patrol, the temporary ones are usually drop sites.

[@dprofessorscritters8762]

Just a note....other markers (eco markers, study markers, etc) are not left to rot or left for long periods of time. They are removed promptly to avoid deteriorating

[@Jeff-ek2vg]

I know that they used to set up Arial Navigation markers for aircraft to use for known waypoints that were identified on flight navigation maps. Although the ones I am aware of are made of cement and larger than the one in this video, but being that this anomaly is in a sparsely populated area it may not need to be made of cement? If you could find Aerial navigation maps of the 50's & 60's of that area, you MIGHT find that point on one of those maps. Just an idea. BTW, Love your content!

[@jacobgates1986]

Sometimes hotshot crews place those X white markers for temporary heli-pads During wild fires in the area.

[@altaloma7789]

There may be more stakes or posts nearby. A friend once bought desert property, then went up to mark where his property actually was. What you found could have been one corner of someone's property. It seems unlikely that airplanes would have used this as a beacon or navigation point, just because it's so small. It would be difficult to spot if you weren't exactly overhead. If you were off by even half a mile, you would completely miss it.

[@tinacollins2055]

Another day, another hike and another day of fun.

[@ericackerman6918]

Ground control panels set for aerial surveys. I still use them along with GPS. Large topographic mapping project use ground control to check the mapping even with on-board GPS.

[@armysapper12b]

Aerial survey markers. Not satellite calibration markings, they are a lot bigger usually over 100 feet in length and width.

[@DetourswithFrank]

Curious if this is above Pahrump? If so, there are 2 houses fairly close to that marker. I spent about 7 months there several years ago and did some exploring videos of the area. There was a marker exactly like that there. There is also a fighter jet wreck near there. Thanks for sharing

[@gyvren]

Joshua trees are trees, not cacti. What you’re looking at is probably a property marker or a mining claim marker.

[@cindy-louwho9311]

That post is a property boundary marker. Yes it was interesting

[@philipcallicoat3147]

Many people who have commented are right.. It's a marker for keeping your bearing while flying... Vintage GPS. Thanks for your posts😎😊.

[@brokenh8911]

Wow I just stumbled across your channel I did not know Google Earth could do that that’s amazing I would love to check out things like that even though they are March from the 80s or the 70s wow thanks to Google Earth I thought about getting rid of it that’s amazing

[@redgarcia1427]

I was thinking perhaps a property marker! ✌🐢

[@robertharvey2335]

Aerial surveys were done by the big mining Industries years ago to determine the best locations for alluvial/Hard Rock gold and precious metals. The tape on the post likely held the claim papers on the corner of the claim and the tape was one of the aerial markers for the survey. You should be able to find additional markers for each corner of the claim. You should be able to find another marker in either 1320 ft or 1500 ft depending on if it was an alluvial or hard rock mine. Claims should measure either 1320'x660 or 1500'x600' depending on the type of claim filed.

[@AlreadyImmortal]

Nevada has sooo many underground shenanigans going on all over/under that state!!!

[@granddad-mv5ef]

Without trying to speculate on purpose, the foil tape on the metal stake would seem to be a reflector. Probably too small to be a radar reflector, but it could be picked up at night with a spotlight.

[@Bardmusic66]

I agree

[@robertodebeers2551]

For aerial geographical survey? Steel T-posts used to mark a mining claim corner??

[@Smittay-Sr.]

What I was thinking!

[@wayneheigl5549]

they are air craft navigation markers that very old , (the very first) air mail airplanes used to find there way . they were lit up at night.

[@timtharp835]

It looks like an airiel survey target to me. I was in the industry for many years and that looks like what we used.

[@frankgigliotti3839]

I think it is a surveyed air photo marker for photogrammetry. These markers are used to register the air photos with ground points.

[@herbieschwartz9246]

Exactly. I laid out many of them for aerial cartography. The process has been largely replaced by LIDAR and other methods.

[@MoonstruckExploring]

We have large white X marks that line up with the local air port, but 5 to 10 miles away. They usually paint them on asphalt roads. Not sure if it could be that.

[@laurayarter2927]

There are some of those just off the road in the desert where live. I believe they're surveyor marks. They're fairly new.

[@trengineer8210]

It's an aerial survey marker. Probably about 15-20 years old. They used to use fabric targets, now they use chalk. You set a target at a known elevation, then the aerial survey references elevations off the X.

[@itallia666]

🇬🇧 I dont know why you don't wear shin pads! I bought some brand new lightweight shin pads reduced to less than half price in a sports shop & got 2 pairs. I go collecting Herbs & the shin pads protect my legs so well from Spikey bushes & thorns & nettles They arent heavy to wear & you actually get support from the pads too. So with the kind of terrain you usually find yourself in, id really recommend the shin pads. They are also good for plowing through Blackberry bushes to get to the prize berries! Enjoyed your Petroglyph vids & i appreciate the effort you put in to explore any anomoly thats out there. Have you been to Britain? Im sure i saw a vid you did in some Brit area. I live on the North East coast of England & not far from the Roman Wall My county of Northumbria was invaded by the Vikings from AD700 to AD900. The cliffs running along side the North Sea, are in some areas strewn with strange rectangular Slabs about 6 to 9ft long, 3 to 4ft wide & 10 to 12ins deep & lie haphazardly stuck into the cliff face & overgrown with a sphagnum moss & soil but cleared away they are totally bare No writing or pictograms nothing. Despite informing our university Archeology Dept, in which ive heard nothing... I cant seem to work out what these granite & basalt slabs were used for. Not grave markers, nor building stones, not defence walls There are too many in clusters all along the high sea cliffs & all hand tooled & of fairly uniform Size. Seems odd no one wants to research them!! Anyway sorry to bore your "Rocks" off! 😆 Peace 🇬🇧👧

[@JAscat88]

You’re right survey marks. But makes a good reason for a hike.

[@LoydChampion]

These are survey markers to mark the borders of different property boundaries. They were put there before GPS to be able to fly over and see if there are any unauthorized improvements or building going on as well as a host of other things. I would bet if you followed one of the straight lines of the strip, someplace down the way you would find another marker. But over the years, the weather has torn most of them up.

[@delta3sigma]

Could be this: In early days of aviation, markers were placed on ground to give aircraft a "map" .

[@waltergolston6187]

reminds me of a photo recon test sighting a known size &-direction and a shadow item of known size for sun angle.

[@electron4784]

My guess ia an aerial search and rescue target. The post is probably for attaching an ELT or similar device. Used by law enforcement, Civil Air Patrol, or Air national guard. Just a guess. thanks checking it out!

[@David_Landesman]

I used to live in nv. A quick google search would have answered his question on what three were for. But I guess this does make for good YT content. 😀😊

[@ross798]

As soon as you got to the first X, which was staked down, I was thinking, military rescue training....alright, I am going to watch the rest and see what comes up next.

[@mirandamom1346]

Fun!

[@Kymbo1000]

Ive seen this in Australia to mark places that soldiers were supposed to find by map as training aids. Here they tend to be yellow or orange plastic sheeting cut into strips

[@zipshed]

Not sure either but I have seen arrows for ariel navigation specifically for mail planes from back in them times...b ut as I said they were arrows. Could this be what's left of an arrow? Don't look it but maybe they had different symbols for different things in ariel navigational aides.

[@stevenbennett9455]

it is definitely a survey marker. They use a sterioscope to judge elevation but they needed an object of a known size and location as a point of comparison.

[@daveallmon6937]

I'm not sure what that would be. But the material is called tyvex is used for wrapping houses during construction. That would only last a year maybe two at the most out in the elements

[@robav8or]

Not for aerial navigation. It hasn’t been there that long. Look at how much the “marker” has eroded/faded from your Google image date to the date when you trekked.

[@eliotandreu3887]

The military uses those as landmark markers. Helicopter's use them to keep track of where they are traveling as a visual aid in the case of equipment failure.

[@twe73jr]

Maybe parachute jumpers🥸... Or some type of Motocross circuit?.. or a homemade property marker... Or maybe it's area 52 👽😀