Journey to a Forgotten Gold Rush Ghost Town deep in the mountains (Abandoned Boom-Town)

In 1887, Joseph Pearsall saw glittering deposits of gold in the river and traced them back to what was going to be known as Monte Cristo. The town's peak was at 1000 when the mines were controlled by John D Rockefeller. 210 Tons of gold and silver was mined every day, and the miners would bring home about 11,000 dollars every month for their hard work. The downfall of the town occurred after floods rapidly tore the town apart in November 1896. After recovering from the first flood, one year later the town was hit with another flood. This time it was too much, repairs dug too deep into mining profits as the mines at this time were running dry. By 1900 most of the miners of the area would leave to find other mining booms in the region. Others stayed behind, leaving Monte Cristo their new home. Even the town occupants knew staying in this former mining town was eerie, even naming their new paper, Ghost Town News. The town had some notable residents, Frederick Trump, grandfather of Donald Trump, owned a town hotel. As well as James Kyes, future commander of the US Navy, whose battleship, the USS Leary, was lost in WWII. The town had a second resurgence in the 1960's when the area became a mountain lodge. Only running for 20 years until a mystery fire burnt down the Lodge and most of the remaining buildings in the town.
Now the town of Monte Cristo has a little over 15 buildings remaining and we'll be not only learning about the extensive history of this mountain boom town, but first hand discovering what's left. If you guys enjoy the exploration, leave a thumbs up and subscribe for more abandoned and historical videos. Thanks for watching !
IG & TikTok : @Dark.Exploration
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[@lindseyporter2287]

I’ve lived in Washington my whole life and haven’t been to monte Cristo. We homeschool and plan on taking the kids as soon as the weather gets nicer. This is a great video!

[@trixieleigh7912]

It's worth the hike!

[@mattg8787]

its up by granite falls wa i have been going there for years

[@joserose2803]

@@mattg8787I live in granite and still haven’t gone on all the hikes around here, I don’t know what’s stopping me

[@danmcclure6670]

The large metal "bucket" is called a kibble. Used in mines to raise ore from the lower levels.

[@thestars386]

When does the, & bits come into play? Kibbles & bits dog food.

[@NWUEmines]

That was used to raise or from the Rainy mine which is across the Creek and has been filled in. I'm the vice president of the association that takes care of this area. And I'm the one that designed the big signs.

[@bigboithe8th]

Back when I was a kid in the 70s, my dad knew the old guy that lived there and ran the lodge before it burned down in the early 80s. I remember once we stayed there in the winter, and the old guy came out to the main road and met us with a snowmobiles and took us back to Monte Cristo. I was pretty young, but I remember going there many times and hiking and exploring the mines in the summer. Good memories.

[@cjbree]

Since it was a thriving town at one time, I wonder if there is an old, forgotten cemetery hidden out there among the trees and brush. Thanks for the interesting video. I always enjoy the places you go to.

[@NWUEmines]

No cemetery at all in Monte, 100%

[@timouellette4693]

That's funny you say that I was wondering the exact same thing. I'm also curious if their was a jail there, or if they had Police?

[@wtfBrad]

This was amazing! So glad to see it's untouched by vandals. I'm not sure of your location or how far you travel for content but have you thought about (or know about) Centralia, Pennsylvania? With your love for history and abandoned locations I think you would love this. Especially the backstory for it. Wiki has a page on it (it won't let me copy/paste the link). Safe travels my friend and thanks for sharing!

[@funguy189]

I was there a few times back in the 70's when you could drive all the way there. Back then there was a lot more old buildings. Unfortunately some jerk set fire to a bunch of them and burnt them to the ground. The road had a bad river wash out in November 1981 and was never repaired, so now it's a long walk in there. The hotel that Frederick Trump had there was actually a brothel/whore house! There is still gold there. An old friend of mine does panning after heavy rain and has gotten a few ounces of gold over the past 40 years!

[@fraserliam974]

Hi from Australia 🇦🇺❤️

[@NWUEmines]

The cabins are from 1951 when the resort was operating.

[@ScreaminEmu]

I was gonna say... those are all resort cabins with mailbox numbers next to the doors. They look 50's/60's... no way they're residences from the 1800's. The names on the doors are just the names of the cabins.

[@AppStateWaifu]

Amazing trek! Thanks for taking the time to explore this beautiful time capsule. The place was definitely reclaimed by nature, unless told to me by you or someone else with a map, I would’ve never known it was once a thriving town!

[@dennisud]

Thanks for this keeping a slice of History now on the web.

[@PCPAyLOAD]

You probably don't get a chance to read all of your comments but just wanted to say thank you spending your time on this earth educating people on these forgotten towns. So many lives and stories that so many people would otherwise never know existed.

[@codysp]

You didn't mention why many of the cabins were locked.

[@kirstenc3653]

Out in my neck of the woods! Amazing! Feeling honored that you came all the over here to film this beautiful state. Your channel is my absolute favorite in this category. If you have a chance, there is also an abandoned hospital up north that is pretty cool.

[@obryan240]

This town is only an hour away from me and I never knew it existed. I'll definitely check it out soon.

[@NWUEmines]

One of the Monte mines: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6nSZZaHiNFph6s

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Yeah those two Rails as you called them are I beams not rails. Take a closer look !

[@craigbowley6783]

I used to work in the area that your in building and maintaining campgrounds. It's beautiful up there. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@firemanfireman7228]

I really like it when you show these old ghost towns Thanks for sharing Fireman 🔥🔥🔥

[@kikibean2024]

Love the photos you include in this exploration. 🔥

[@jerroldmcley4347]

Very cool 😎👍 thanks for taking us with you I love ❤️ history be safe

[@tillitrueheart971]

You did a great job of bringing this ghost town to life, showing what it used to be like. Thank you!

[@deniseboldea1624]

It does appear that they are trying to preserve a few of the buildings. A couple of the red homes appear to have been painted within the last 2-3 years.

[@milkapeismilky5464]

You're killing it. Your videos have matured so much. I know you got a lot of shit, especially early on for not really knowing a whole lot about the things you were seeing. I may have left a shitty comment or two myself. I'm glad that you persevered, keep up the great work!

[@groofoot]

21:08 = I got a real Camp Crystal Lake vibe, lol .... kinda expected to see Jason Voorhies jump out of the woods ....

[@ScreaminEmu]

lol "Doomis Street." At least you didn't say "Dumb ass" like in the Shawshank Redemption 😂 Alexander Dumas wrote the Count of Monte Cristo. Du-mah. Also, those red structures just look like resort cabins from the 50's. They even have mailbox numbers by the doors. Beautiful, peaceful spot nonetheless.

[@eyesonchaz6511]

That clearing is part of a recent clean up. That's why the trees were just growing back in. Federal government cut a new side road and did that a few years ago.

[@TsouRoger]

11:38 somebody once told me

[@bananapancakes581]

Americano by lady gaga can’t get out of my head love remember reading out the gold rush in three grade by the way

[@sophialopez3552]

Can I say something good. I fell upon another video of yours by accident. It was good. Can’t remember the name of the video but it’s where you explored the 12 abandoned houses side by side. Great video. I love watching you tube videos about abandoned houses mansions abandoned desert towns ect. I’m going to subscribe to your channel. I’m hooked. Keep up the good work.

[@rhondaillar3906]

Subscribed but never received notifications!!!

[@Unit38]

I do not believe that 210 tons of actual gold and silver was produced every day. That would be 210 tons of ore was produced. I do like the names of the streets. Dumas, the author and Mercedes one of the main characters in his book. I would imagine most of the streets were named after the other characters in the Count of Monte Cristo.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

Is this a State or National Park? If not, why don’t people live there? It’s so beautiful.

[@EarlSchenk]

For more information on mining during that time, Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour cover a lot of history in there Western novels.

[@littlegreyranger6969]

I always enjoy your videos! I wish a knew you were going to be in Washington. There’s a few places I could show you.

[@craigbowley6783]

I'd be afraid to go into that mine. I'd be worried about it collapsing. Cause some day it will and I know with my luck it would be while I was inside 😂

[@stevenmcgee7398]

I used to live in Everett and Monte Cristo was a destination for me and I would take my family out o. Country drives to thus pkace and an old map i. The Everett library showed a smelter in Everett and if was where the ore was sheltered there and it was an interesting find

[@timothydevine7064]

I still find gold in the streams up there. Especially after mud slides. You have to pack in your own water as all the water in the streams and rives is comtaminated with arsenic.

[@nicolepowell5470]

6 mins in and i've had 2 advert breaks very distracting. 7 in total come on youtube you ruined this for me

[@kevinthompson629]

Of course Monte Cristo was a silver town. While there were many mines in that area, silver was the prime motivator for that town.

[@walkingman7564]

Very nice video I planning on hiking out there in 5 days I'll be sure to look for a few of the things that were featured in the video 👍

[@matthewbloom3869]

fascinating stuff. good to document since it won't be there in 1000 years

[@traceytrotter9934]

I turn on notifications for so many of these "waiting for" videos. I don't get a notification nor do I ever end up watching the video. Just so you know.

[@williebeamish5879]

Same here. Huh.

[@firemanfireman7228]

So if you turn off notifications and then turn them back on and hit the 🔔 bell subscribed to all You will get notifications again Un subscribed and re subscribed it will work Fireman 🔥🔥🔥

[@traceytrotter9934]

@@firemanfireman7228 I know that trick but it doesn't apply to this.

[@sueslkarr2771]

TY for showing me places I'll ne er be able to go to. Also my legs wouldn't let me.

[@brendakrieger7000]

Wow!! Thanks for sharing,Devon🏚🏞

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

I’m pleasantly surprised that you are this far west! (Unless there are more than one Monte Cristo)

[@TJ21222]

I really enjoyed your video. I'm so interested in ghost towns. There is a ghost town in Cripple creek Colorado that my parents took me to when I was a kid. The start of my interest.

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

10:44 ?? Is someone living in there…there is a power cord.

[@parski4]

This one was my favorite explorations you have done. Also loved the Mountain View’s.

[@neta565]

That was a nice exploration! Thanks Devin😙

[@MeMyselfAndUs903]

25:42 Or maybe that plate was once on the ground and the tree grew into it?

[@hi.panorama]

You're doing a really wonderful job!

[@ronykurniawansemm.7434]

empty house. why did the occupants leave it

[@mattg8787]

lol i have hiked Monte Cristo from the time i was a kid

[@Kristina-nl8ej]

Hello from Philippines 👋

[@johnspinelli9396]

Is it historically preserved?

[@Stevenspencer8210]

Hell yea ubare fucking awesome man

[@timothydevine7064]

There used to be a caretaker that lived up there.

[@markszawlowski867]

Brilliant video as ever, thanks.

[@huwmather5477]

Very interesting,i really enjoyed it

[@slimcatandme]

My old stomping grounds, we would ride our motorcycles and snowmobiles up there early 1980's- mid 1990's

[@brendatony9358]

I've heard of the town never been there

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

This place has a lot in common with Opal Springs, Oregon. (My daughter had Outdoor School there.) Opal Springs burned in the recent wildfires. :(

[@Spilledperfume1]

Hello

[@Stevenspencer8210]

Hello everyone

[@dreamerjs]

You could so set your camera down for like half an hour by the water and loop it for a few hrs with a black screen for awesome asmr! It’d be great could so be restored and made a resort again!

[@kimholch1006]

Beautiful mountains. Town full of history. Love old places like this. Places like this need to be protected.

[@MrZaid458]

RDR2 vibes

[@lorihayes1419]

Awesome! Beautiful scenery all throughout the video! Nicely done! 😊

[@HolyApplebutter]

I have so many subscriptions I sometimes go months or years without seeing them in my feed again. It's been a little bit since I'd seen your stuff, but I'm happy to see it again.

[@moonwalker091000]

Another great explore :o) I think someone must be taking care of those little red cabins because they are in prestine condition, unlike the rest of the town. Such a beautful area to explore and hike. Thanks and looking forward to the next one.

[@debbiesmith3524]

Love this. Amazing historical exploration - thank you!!

[@judyburkett9319]

I loved this adventure. Thanks for taking me along!

[@MIGHTYRIVERS19]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS LOVELY TRIP TO MONTE CHRISTO , ITS BEEN TRULY AWESOME , NATURE AND HISTORY , BEST WISHES

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, Devin. Always a pleasure to watch them 🙏😃

[@rolfsinkgraven]

A very nice old place, i guess ever mine entrance was closed with steel bars?

[@gonzofan5]

I enjoy the variety of locations you go on in your videos. The history, the old buildings, and the views were great to see. Nicely done.

[@brendakrieger7000]

Yes, I'd definitely love to walk through there

[@samanthacastle4192]

That was Amazing to get to see, Thank you 😊, this video was awesome!

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Very cool explore! Amazing no other people anywhere! 🥰🥰🥰

[@heatherabusneineh6281]

I learned about this town through a Geocaching video.

[@sonplusone7059]

Great video. Thanks for taking us 🤗

[@lorihayes1419]

So cool that the old turn style works and that you were curious enough to try it! Awesome!

[@lorijones8573]

I would of loved to see the inside of some of the houses. The scenery is beautiful.

[@trixieleigh7912]

Such a great hike in with quite a few cool sights

[@cathydwire1272]

What an incredible place! The area is just beautiful. Thanks for giving the history and showing some of the old photos. I really enjoyed the trip.

[@DarkExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Kristinapedia]

0:19-A Monte Cristo is a good sandwich! 18:01-The cabins remind me of Frost Valley. 19:17- "dumbass ".. "It's DOOMAH".. lol. 21:00-"A lonely little cabin" sounds like a "Bob Ross-ism. 23:24- that tree sadly is dying if not already dead. 😞.

[@ScreaminEmu]

Yeah I dont think moss grows in piles on the branches of thriving trees. And outstanding Shawshank reference... thought of that immediately haha

[@Kristinapedia]

@@ScreaminEmu One of my favorite movies of all time.

[@brianmcgrath6349]

Great video thanks 👍✌️

[@robertartac1853]

Which app do you use for maps on your phone?

[@nataliesmith303]

It looked very peaceful there 😊

[@ranaecambell5889]

This was awesome thanks for sharing

[@kathyb.8769]

This was awesome, loved the trees...

[@joangravel2436]

That was a awesome place

[@septemberhart2540]

Great place

[@justinekessner2645]

HAVE U HEARD OF EXPLOMOS?? U ARE AS GOOD AS THEM, WOW, I HAVE LOVED THEM SINCE THEY ONLY HAD 300 SUBS, GREAT JOB!!!!!!

[@justinekessner2645]

OK 1 MORE THING, WHY NOT STEEL TOE SHOES??? I CARE!!!!????

[@thestars386]

Very awesome place you found there. Many, many thumbs up.