I Stumbled Upon This Cave That Holds An Intriguing Mystery. The Result Is...

#ruins #caves #exploring #americansouthwest #petroglyphs #rockart #nativeamerican
🌟 If you want to see my videos early, bonus content, and 3D models of sites that I visit on my trips, please support me on Patreon!
➡️ / jefftjohnson
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Video Sources: www.archaeologysouthwest.org/...
Note: I believe these might be Archaic/Barrier Canyon style rock art due to a nearby petroglyph panel with similar rock art, as identified by a neighboring national park
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I 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 from the American Southwest!
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👍How to be a respectful visitor to these places👍
Native American groups still live in this area and beyond today. These places are still special and hold significance.
1️⃣Don't climb on walls or structures. Don't lean on or climb over them. Many places don't even need to be visited up close. View these places from a distance or with binoculars.
2️⃣Do not touch the rock art. Don't touch or create new rock art to preserve ancient stories.
3️⃣ Leave All Artifacts. Leave artifacts and structures undisturbed to maintain their historical significance. It is illegal and wrong to take artifacts. If you want something to take home, support local tribes by buying their handicrafts and jewelry.
4️⃣ Manage Waste Responsibly. Use waste bags; don't leave human or pet waste behind. Don't 'go' near cultural sites.
5️⃣ Camp With Care. Don't camp near historical sites. No fires near these areas, and ensure all waste is packed out. Don't make fires in caves or alcoves. Camp in designated spots only. When you leave, make sure to make the site cleaner and better than when you found it. Pick up extra trash you may see.
6️⃣ Control Your Pets. Don't let pets roam freely near archaeological areas to prevent destruction. Pets are not allowed in or near sites.
7️⃣ Preserve Fragile Areas. Don't disturb fossils and please protect delicate soil and plant life.
8️⃣ Follow Rules. Don't engage in illegal actions such as building cairns, or using climbing gear to access archaeological sites.
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NOTE: I don't claim that I am the first person to "discover" these places. I just find things on Google Earth and want to go see what they are!
I do not claim to be an expert on anthropology, geology, or archaeology. I say that my channel is about "amateur archaeology". I don't have a degree or formal training in archaeology. I am just a hiker who loves to explore and see new things especially the ancient history in the American Southwest. 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. I try my best to hide noticeable landmarks, mountains, and canyons in my videos.
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[@tinkerstrade3553]

I know you have informed others of your location, but here's a backup idea. Carry 3-4 bright colored balloons to tie at a cave entrance. This would speed up searchers to find you if you had a broken leg or something, as a bright colored balloon could be spotted from a search craft as it contrasted with the differing shades of rocks and sand. Five minutes and some string is a worthwhile measure when solo spelunking. 🖖

[@mstayloronline]

Not sure if he's got one but if not he DEFINITELY needs to get an emergency satellite beacon to keep with him...enter the coords of where he's going and if anything happens, he can get s&r right to him.

[@naturallytrailheaded]

That's a great idea! Going to swing by a Party City before I head into the mountains this weekend-- there's always a cave or two I end up checking out!

[@asmodeus1274]

@@mstayloronlineHe’s got one…

[@baddogma]

You need something a little sturdier than a balloon in the mountains, even a bright colored rag is better than a balloon. :)

[@williammccaslin8527]

An bright orange signal panel would be great outside a cave entrance, 3 ft x 3ft or larger anchored down with rocks to keep any wind from moving it, kinda like the ones we used in the military. JIC.

[@lilbird4198]

Wow, that entrance to the cave didn't look very big, until you filmed yourself standing in it. Thank You for another cool explore! 😊

[@thruknobulaxii2020]

What a crazy place! If you had just robbed the stagecoach and you were being chased by a posse, or Glanton and the Judge, it would definitely be a good place to stash your loot or hide out. 😆

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Right?? It would be near impossible to find! I should go back with a metal detector now...;-)

[@ShipCreek]

Remember that for when you time travel 😂🤣👍

[@lindapowell917]

Makes me so nervous when you go down a cave with no one around, glad you are cautious and safe.

[@Nova2032-]

YYYESSSSS! You found it ! There’s quite a lot of room in there. A Natural dwelling.

[@1nvisible1]

*@**9:45** almost looks like rope ladders.*

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I was surprised I could stand up in it!

[@tglass0000]

I was surprised when you mentioned the distances in feet, to side and back to front, as it is a larger space than I expected from the video. So cool to have the 3D model!!!

[@SeMoArtifactAdventures]

Dude, that was a super cool spot!!!! The entrance definitely looked altered to hide it and also shed some rain. It would be awesome to see an archeologist could pull from that rock structure inside. Thanks for taking us along Jeff.

[@Materialworld4]

Jeff, I am glad you found that cave once again after so many years. The fact that this cave started you one this grand adventure is wonderful. As far as the petroglyphs you showed us, yes they fit together nicely with this ancient granary from a long, long time ago. Running water would have made that an important place for the ancient people who lived in that area. On final note, that cave entrance was very elegantly constructed by ancient people long ago, I really respect their aesthetics. Thanks Jeff for another meaningful adventure. Take Care till next time.

[@wandapease-gi8yo]

I am always surprised at the amount of water you find in your treks. I shouldn’t have been since people lived there, a lot more people than I would have believed! Great!

[@garytull7730]

Cool cave. The thought of meeting up with a critter that lived there crossed my mind 😲

[@grantgrow]

Shelob

[@user-gv5ue8mw9i]

Me too 😂😊😂

[@Mr3DBob]

I am knocked out by that 3-D image of the cave! Could you do a video explaining the process and equipment?

[@allenrussell6135]

I think that's lidar on the new iphone (and the last 2 iphone models as well) I'm an android fan but I have to admit that's an amazing feature. Only a few android phones had it and they're old now.

[@Springfield-eo8jl]

​@allenrussell6135 Now think, if "someone" hacked an iPhone and turns on that feature, they can 3D map your house/room/work space, etc.

[@BPlus-oz7cm]

Wait, iphone has LIDAR... that's awesome!

[@allenrussell6135]

@@BPlus-oz7cm Introduced in 2020, the LiDAR scanner is available on the Pro and Pro Max models of the iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15, as well as the third-generation 11-inch and fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro models from 2020 and later. Currently android isn't pushing lidar. Some brands have depth sensors. Look up androids arcore system to see the augmented reality being made. I have one app that will put animals, trains, a dinosaur and more in the background when taking your picture. Not just a still picture but a moving animated creature. I did scare my mother with that app by showing a small rattlesnake in her garden. (we don't have diamond backs in western NY).

[@TheTrekPlanner]

On this one, it's just my phone. Other times, I take dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of photos then stitch them all together later on a computer to make a 3D model. It's pretty simple!

[@janettetippetts7942]

That's quite an adventure your dropped light took you on. At least you were able to satisfy your curiosity, 3D map the cave, see all the petroglyphs, - and retrieve the light. Thanks for taking us along! HAVE you ever sent pics of the petroglyphs to people who study them that might be able to give you translations of what they represent?

[@johnhart125]

Very neat little hiding spot for cache, very possible was used by many as tribes or hunters moved a lot

[@vapormissile]

❤ safe decision not to enter without a decent light. Thanks for this follow-up! positive waves

[@davidrojas5319]

Stay safe Jeff. You have a lot of courage my friend

[@juaerez69]

You need a bump helmet and headlamp. Gloves is a good idea too

[@edhazlewood124]

Good advice about avoiding packrat nests too. Several cases of bubonic plague in the SW US.

[@kayhansen9229]

I just got furniture out of storage it was in storage for 7 years I as the movers were taking it out I could see a hole in the bottom where a pack rat had gotten in and made a big nest between the drawer and the bottom of the dresser there was clothing hanging out and rat turds falling out now I'm in my new apartment I'm a 66 year old woman and I'm going to have to clean that pack rat nest out of my dresser all by myself. I hope I'm safe I'm going to wear gloves in a mask. But sheesh yuck! I'm going to spray a lot of Lysol after I clean it all out but I have no choice but to clean it out it's already been over a week and I'm in the same room sleeping with it God yuck. I'm going through quite an ordeal I was almost homeless and on the street down to my last money. When I just now got subsidized apartment so grateful for a roof over my head. I once got so sick from a cat that my boyfriend brought back from the Houston Port of Houston that was sick and dying that my doctor thought I had bubonic plague but I looked it up in the Merrick manual and it sounded more like typhoid fever to me it was awful the sickest I've ever been 107°people think you can't survive it but you can I thought I was going to get brain damage or heart damage though. Maybe I did.

[@icandivideos5743]

You are so brave to go in there by yourself! Thanks for taking us along. The petroglyphs are phenomenal!

[@marylavine2632]

Terrific cave, happy to go with you. Thanks

[@ShirleeKnott]

love your pure excitement of your treks

[@danphillips3589]

Very cool, I was a little disappointed you didn’t try to find the other entrance, either from inside or from outside. I’d be interested to know if there were similar petroglyphs around the other entrance too.

[@jas57264]

Looks like a GREAT mountain lion den. :)

[@SwirlingSoul]

Until it comes home... 😱😁

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I was looking for bones and stuff but surprisingly I didn't find any. I did find a mountain lion den in Northern Utah. There were tons of large and small bones next to a huge hole underneath a outcropping. It was the last time I went in that canyon 😬

[@epoh8698]

The petroglyphs are always good to see and document. Finding caves and things is just a bonus also.

[@michaelwalendzik2591]

Another interesting adventure and thank you for sharing.

[@annakeye]

This is so damned cool. The geometric stacks of squares are so precise that they do not appear to imply the graphic depiction of something that is in the environment so much as an constructive mathematical form. Absolutely fascinating and yet again, Mr Johnson, I cannot express in strong enough terms, just how appreciative of your efforts I and I imagine, others are.

[@19bishop56]

I agree!

[@laurawilliams5363]

Wow!!! 3D of the cave, you rock!!!

[@lindabriggs5118]

Im thinking that maybe the native indigenous people could have used that as a sort of cold storage. Or a place to hide their women and children if there was warring tribes. Seeing others posting about safety issues. I would suggest a bright neon colored cloth pinned down at the edges to indicate where you are. That way aerial observers can find the area also, as well as putting a GPS tracking device on it. It's good to tell family members as well letting them know when you expect to return. Always think ahead. One time my bestie and I decided to hike the Rim to Rim trail in the Grand Canyon. We took almost 2yrs of research and planning. Also setting up a schedule when we'd get reservations and permits. We even hiked in the Wasatch Mountains practicing and preparing to hike down hill and up. Heck, I even brought a med kit, complete with sutures and an anesthetic. LOL. Never had to use it though. 😅

[@bobsiddoway]

Wild spot!!! Wild to see such different geography than we have here in Idaho.

[@danno3497]

Its funny when you said your phone didn't have a light back in those days! Try growing up with no internet,computers, gps or a cell phone! We had maps that were folded like an accordion and the only phone we had was connected to a wire to the wall in the house and was owned by the phone co. 😅

[@user-ke7wd3cl9z]

Yup! And if you had a sister in the 70s....you didn't get to use the phone until the 80s !😂

[@iwasfloyd]

Absolutely fascinating how you can do the 3D thing. Great video as always!! Thanks for taking us with you!!

[@ginnygiannette4630]

Thank you, again for the adventure! I'm 75+ and in a wheelchair so I don't get out much. Your videos show me what I've missed back in my younger days.😀

[@davethompson9776]

Absolutely ancient and the people there used every resource available including this cave.

[@skyeseaborn1170]

Cool 3D model! Thanks for taking us along.

[@spacexrocks1041]

What a lovely day! Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelmoore8582]

You find the coolest things. Keep it up, thanks.

[@leighsayers2628]

Fabulous find ..well done .

[@wendyshick6689]

That was pretty exciting thank you for taking us along 😊👍

[@MouseMotes]

Really cool trek, thank you 💕

[@c.t.murray3632]

That is an excellent find. Thank you for basically risking your life. As you were climbing down I'm thinking maybe those stones might loosen up and fall on you. Then you said oh I have to be back at a certain time and I told my friend I would be there. You're smart

[@PSC9634]

Great 3D image. Thanks for sharing this adventure.

[@jburnett8152]

Just wow. Amazing. I didn't see any recent human trash about. Did you. Just that you found it again after several years. Not as easy as it sounds. Very cool.

[@dyannejohnson6184]

That is a wonderful addition to your teaching part of program

[@mazzg1966]

Excellent video...thank you for bringing us along....Again! Looking for the next.

[@sjohnson1776]

Awesome! That 3D rendering was really cool! Thanks for bringing us along!

[@FarginIceholeful]

That's the beginning of an arch. Give it a few hundred million years.

[@janiceconnett3192]

A fantastic find, but you are brave to go into it...I would think it might be a cougar's den YIKES. Interesting how you could make a model of it. Thanks for this special trek & share!

[@juliereyes8783]

WOW Jeff, you really out did yourself on this venture! So ultimately interesting was this cave. Love it!

[@metroplexchl]

Wow! What a cool find and even cooler 3D model! What a gift to researchers that could be since there are so many, they couldn't have the time or budget to look at them all.

[@keithlowery9708]

Oh man this was so cool brother! Thanks for bringing us along 🤙🏻

[@naturallytrailheaded]

That's a pretty decent sized cave...great find!

[@tracyroake2815]

I am always enthralled with the places you take us!

[@melaniemills7255]

that was so much fun! thank you for sharing this adventure! and i love seeing the petroglyphs too💚

[@joe-ft2cr]

Love the video, thanks for posting daily.

[@amberandrews6842]

That's an epic place. Thank You for sharing this with us!!

[@edbeez]

Great lil cavate… I would have slept there while hunting the area and stash stuff for the next trip if I had been there !!! Great find !!!

[@bnicedanicest6288]

Another intriguing video that could possibly be like a shrine where the ancient people might have made offerings thanks for sharing look forward to more

[@onceagain71]

The 3-D model turned out pretty well.

[@SnoMoJoe1]

Thanks for another great trip into the desert. I echo others in being concerned for your safety on your solo trips. Things can turn so bad so quickly and unexpectedly. How about a collaboration with Desert Drifter? You both do great things on your own. It would be awesome to see what you could do together, and it would be safer.

[@waderogers]

Awesome that you were able to date the petroglyphs to 3k years ago. You must have used some reference material for that. Keep it up! Interesting to know. I live in Juneau, Alaska. Where/when did you work in Alaska? Judging by the loose material at the entrance of the cave, it looks like people probably hid its entrance with other rocks and stuff, so that only they could find the hidden cache of food. Smart! Would be interested to see what kind of safety items you bring. Water filters, InReach for emergency communications, thermal blanket in case you have to spend the night, flares, etc?

[@TheTrailBlazersAZ]

What an awesome place!

[@brownpaperbag5343]

Grandad said never go into dark holes in the desert.

[@stevendavis8636]

How grandma got rid of grandpa?

[@delaineharvey5177]

Wish we knew what the petroglyphs meant… fascinating! Why couldn’t the cave have been used for burial? Thanks for taking us along!

[@maeverobertson1108]

You are truly multi-talented. That 3D rendering of the cave was truly amazing. As for using it as food storage, doesn't seem like a hot idea if you've got generations of pack rats hanging out there. On the other hand it would make a cozy den for a mountain lion, which would explain why all the pack rat nests were empty. Lol. And better you than me in small enclosed places, I get claustrophobic just watching you go into that hole. I love the petroglyphs you found. It's always so exciting to see something that few or no other people have seen. It's very special.

[@oldmech619]

Petroglyphs are faked all the time. Hard to tell what is real

[@georgiaturner8210]

Thanks for today’s adventure!

[@kellyradcliff1989]

Chuck from OH. Very interesting cave a great find I wonder what it would've been used for ? There's evidence they was in there for some reason would it stay dry enough to use as a shelter? Who knows? Lol Thanks Jeff. See you on the next adventure. Chuck up n out.

[@loisr1560]

Oh nice, i am in Australia so noce to catch this early.

[@nickhunsaker3810]

I'd bet that was an ancient structure in the cave and that log and rock at the entrance of the cave looked like it was placed there.

[@loriebolduc1076]

I love your adventures and your videos keep getting better!

[@randalmorris1772]

FYI, you can still come in contact with Hantavirus just by stirring up dust that close to pack rat nests. I've come across them in old mines and give them a wide birth. Pack a mask in your backpack in case you need one in the future.

[@Hemppie]

thank you brother Jeff

[@MikeBaxterABC]

3:13 this reminds me when I used to hike in Banff Alberta. There were dozens dozens of clearwater creeks! Looked JUST like this! All fed by Glacier runoff, so the warmer it got outdoors the more water ran down, and the colder it was!! :) We would fill our canteens directly from the creeks!

[@pinkiesue849]

The water must have been so good

[@EclipseClemens]

Banff national park is somewhere on my top 5 favourite places that are on earth. You have good taste.

[@RandyTerrell7174]

A lady's compact mirror is good to have, its small and fits into your backpack

[@signemarkuson1940]

Good idea 💡

[@deepg7084]

Agree with this. One time I took a men's mirror in the wild but it didn't work.

[@Janer-52]

Oh, you've gone and done it, this time! Incredible cave... and petroglyphs. I'm glad you gave perspective of how big it was - it looked small to me, and I wondered if it had hidden "little green men" rather than Native Americans. The comment below from Jack Scott says to leave your phone outside a cave to say you are in there - what about making a small red banner with "Trek Planner" on it to leave while you are exploring?

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

Maybe Trek Planner balloons?

[@signemarkuson1940]

This one made me nervous just watching 😂. Stay safe amen

[@charleshicks3492]

That was unique, thank you⭐️😎🤩

[@i_am_grutzius-_-828]

Followed this guy for a while, love his content. I’ve traveled to the southwest once and feel in love with it. I just wished he wasn’t so timid, unprepared about exploring more. Desert Drifter gets into it camping and challenging the terrain. I only wished I lived closer/out there to do some challenging in depth hiking myself. Regardless, love what you do Trek Planner, do you. Just a random guys opinion.

[@offroadjunkie303]

Great adventure as always thanks for taking us along.

[@Anne-ee1pw]

This is incredible. It’s nice that you publicly document these places with ancient building and written messages.

[@noonehere1793]

Thanks for the adventure!👍👍

[@mlgauss60435]

Pretty cool explore! Thanks for taking us along with you!

[@SwanseaTitanFan]

Well done and thanks for taking us with you

[@alienallen2983]

👍🙏>>>💚~~~ Thank You that 3D is AWESOME

[@MRBW9999]

looks so melted.

[@davekreitzer4358]

I'm sure the stacked rock's were the leader's castle - The home of the King Pack Rat 😳😂😎👍

[@agiles6483]

Very cool to see the interior of the cave, thank you for dimensions because it seemed very small but was actually much larger. The 3-D model was amazing, thank you for that. The rocks visible from the outside may have changed over time, but the cave itself is likely ancient.

[@user-ml6dk8sk4e]

Thank you for taking us along on your trekking adventures ,enjoy them ❤immensely!👵🏻 BUT PLEASE PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL ! Never underestimate any possible danger ! We ❤ you ! 🙀👵🏻😱🖖🏼👽🐲👍🏻🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[@HarryBJones-ce2iz]

I like the idea of you having items that could alert search teams in case you got hurt. I feel that was an excellent idea. Especially since you go to a lot of places by yourself. Just be as safe as you can Jeff. Always let someone know where you are going. We don’t want to lose our explorer.

[@nataliebritton8602]

Gidday from Australia!! 🐨🦋🦎🦘🙋🏼‍♀️ That was awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@rebabecker8683]

Great job on the 3D image!! I always really enjoy your adventures!! Thanks so much for sharing with us!!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thanks for watching!

[@joandevillier733]

Thanks for another great adventure in beautiful country. The petroglyphs were really interesting. I never get tired of your treks. The four corners area is my favorite part of these beautiful United States. So glad you share your exploration with those of us who can no longer do it ourselves!

[@michaelblankenship548]

That last figure holding a pole looked like Loki with his staff shooting lightning out of the top from the Tesseract. From the first Thor movie.

[@juliadrumgold8790]

Thanks Jeff. I love this one 😊

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

You are such an easygoing guy! I just love listening to you! The creek sounds were wonderful as well! Your 3D model looks amazing. But those petroglyphs totally remind me of what someone would draw if they saw UFOs.

[@SwirlingSoul]

Thank you, for crawling in! I can't do that physically anymore, and I'm the kind of lady who would crawl into every nook and cranny to find out what's inside. (not ruining anything, of course). It was a joy to see this one! Can you imagine what it might have meant in the really old history days, to find a natural dwelling? I mean, we build our homes these days, but if I were out of a home? I'd go looking for caves for sure. Petroglyphs. I always wonder why there aren't clearer in meaning. I mean, if I were to go through the trouble of carving something into the rocks, I'd make sure anyone could understand it, without knowing my language or life?! But perhaps they weren't meant to last the ages. That's a possibility.

[@anitaallen4143]

Love your videos. Please stay safe.

[@patrickbass3542]

This is GREAT!!! Plus. the sound track is NEW! and nice! (What happened to the sound track?!?!?!) What a fantastic little "hiddey-hole" for an over-night (or longer) survival camp-out!!! (except for the pack-rat poop!)!!!!!

[@MrFuzzy1953]

One of your best discoveries. I enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@ruthmusser4449]

TY so much. Perhaps different exits have filled in over the centuries.

[@Sam97979]

Young men like yourself should always be wary of cougars ;) I'm glad you explored this safely and let others know where you were!

[@donwagner7395]

You made an excellent discovery of obviously an ancient habitat. The petroglyphs are amazing , very enigmatic, yet wonderful to gaze upon. Thank you for taking us on this adventure!

[@jericox2980]

Thank you for the adventures