Surprising Discovery

One of the very few sections of this mountain range I have not fully explored. With good weather I decided to fix this so I headed up to a mine that I have never been to. I was surprised with what I found.
#desert #trails #explore #mining #underground #travel #abandoned #ruins

[@cindylong638]

I just happened across your videos....I am so very much enjoying them! I live in Nevada and am disabled and can't explore like you do but I feel like I'm exploring too . thank you!!

[@trinitysalvationministries2168]

Cindy you should try watching videos with a VR headset. There are many tours that you can subscribe to and it sure makes you feel like you are there especially when you can turn your head and look all around yourself.

[@julie-ek9es]

another fun channel is (las vegas area trails) no music just some great scenery and views

[@DFDuck55]

It's only a tunnel if it goes all the way through the mountain and comes out the other side. Otherwise it's called an adit. The entrance to the adit is called the portal. 8:40 a stope that goes up all the way to the surface is called an open stope. 16:29 Not an ore chute but an ore bin. If you go in an extensive mine that would be easy to get lost in the way to keep from getting lost is called the "right hand rule". When you come to a split always go to the right. Go to the end of that drift then come back out and go to the right. In the end you should end up back at the portal. Worst case you just go left left left and back-track your way out.

[@TnTMyers2010]

Excellent advice and terminology. Almost 60 years of mine exploring myself and that is what I was taught.

[@DFDuck55]

@@TnTMyers2010: I explored abandoned mines, mining ghost towns, and Native American caves for about 50 years. I had enough near death experiences I figured I had pushed my guardian angel to her limits and should stop while I was ahead.

[@johnkrischan622]

I like that you know the proper terms. I work for a mine In Colorado in maintenance role and water treatment. Its been closed for many years. People are constantly trespassing,I'm guessing this guy is doing the same thing.

[@unklemilty]

Worked for a surveyor in the mountains of SW Colorado back in the late 70's early 80's. Had the opportunity to poke around in an number of old workings, some small, others quite extensive. Couple other mining terms I recall; raise and winze. It was all fascinating, some quite precarious, but an amazing journey back in time!

[@fanveta]

You can share your adventures on KZbin. I think a lot of people would be interested to know about them. Try it.

[@MegaDeansy]

You're a braver man than me - no way would I be going into an old mine without a buddy on the outside in case something bad happened !

[@jeffnabors833]

I sure hope he doesn't scuba dive.

[@shanemike3070]

Yep, always take friend, just in case something happens, even a sprained ankle. Hard to believe these miners would dig and dig, often to find nothing

[@user-rd6dh4hq1j]

@@jeffnabors833 Are you by any chance a fellow subscriber of Mr Ballens channel 🙃

[@jeffnabors833]

@@user-rd6dh4hq1j No. Not interested in cave dwelling. Do like to watch though.

[@grumblesa10]

Those wooden supports can be dry-rotted, and it only takes a thump to break one...going in as far as the blasting is probably OK, though, but yes ALWAYS explore any old buildings in pairs.

[@mikehayden7330]

There is something to be said for limited editing, no music, and just raw video. Nicely done, new subscriber.

[@BIGBADWOOD]

Great video true 5 stars ... Thanks

[@renitabarrientos7950]

Love the desert & what is forgotten from a time ago hold so much mystery & beauty, ,very neatly ✔done.💛

[@dicktracygarden]

TS 6:26 - TS 6:28 The composition of these shots is EXCELLENT. The motor and your defined shadow. Love it !

[@IrishLincoln]

20:30 Dynamite store. They'd build those away from the mine entrance for safety. Kept the dynamite handy, dry, and far enough away in case the store exploded.

[@voncielrussell6260]

What a view from the site of the main tunnel. Miners were a hearty, tuff, fearless bunch in my opinion.

[@stephenduncan872]

Enjoy your video's very much. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Cheers.

[@fanveta]

Beautiful places. I also enjoyed it. Watching from the Russian Federation. I'm going to visit the place where my ancestors mined gold in the summer.

[@yolandarandle91]

I enjoyed exploring the mine with you.

[@randyfredricksen5963]

I love seeing history that people haven't trashed..plus if I'm not mistaken that tire was still aired up. That's impressive!

[@DFDuck55]

Me too. My grandpa got me into exploring abandoned mines, mining ghost towns, and Native American caves in the late 1950s. Most places were still intact back then, not tagged, shot up, or all the windows broken like now. Some of the old ghost towns I explored in the late 50s and 60s you could have moved in and lived there.

[@skyking4501]

Hey, that was a good video!! Thanks for taking me with you.

[@21psd]

It's incredible as to how much of our history in the southwest was tied to mining, both large scale and very small private claims. What a hard life these people lived. Just imagining what it took to get this equipment and machinery up into these canyons. I hope you're letting family/friend know of where you're heading when you set out, considering how far you hike from your truck. Have you ever spooked a bobcat or mountain lion that's taken up residency in some of these abandoned structures? Take care and stay safe out there!

[@ljtreewalker847]

What were they mining

[@Uberaroundtheworld530]

@@ljtreewalker847by Rick type I assume gold or silver maybe platinum too if it’s Nevada

[@hoffmiermp]

Exploring old mines are fun, but be on the lookout for the 2 legged and 4 legged critters that may be lurking in them.

[@FrankBenlin]

And the no legged. But the two legged are the most dangerous.

[@chocolatemilk4437]

Keep a glock at all times

[@brentonburbank4320]

It's not safe I had a friend die in one back in the 80s

[@billh7777]

Let's not forget the critters that don't have legs at all. They are called Rattlesnakes!

[@yarnit9574]

Omg. Thank you for filming. But I'm worried it dangerpus, to explore I would get lost in them and couldn't get out.

[@davedennis6042]

That music with those still pics at the end was priceless. I call that "Desert Music". Sad and haunting. That vastness and loneliness is so.... I can't find the words....

[@7CAJONEZ]

All the abandoned mines I have been to are ridiculously difficult treks. So the ore must have been very valuable to make it worth while. Thats why this guy should be acompanied by a geologist and miner so we know what we are seeing.

[@richtyler1353]

Amazing stills you captured

[@rsb67]

Oh jeez, when you go into those tunnels I get nervous but then at the top going down into that hole...nail biter! I love exploring and hiking but the unknown & excitement makes me nervous! Thank you for taking us along!! 🙏 I love the information about the area & mining & vehicles and your exploring/hiking ethics. 🙏

[@michaelrietz9220]

Thanks so much for sharing your video I enjoyed watching you keep up the good work I love lot of places that you've been going too

[@middleway1885]

Thanks for the adventures... imagining not needing to worry about the daily grind... only creating as many Blissful moments... for oneself and others, equally~!

[@danielromero8830]

Awesome video... doing what I finally get to do. Recently retired and looking forward to doing some serious spee lunkin in Nevada.

[@Jimbeam151]

Loved the video. Look forward to checking out more.

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

More to come! Thank You

[@crocbaitaussie5204]

The outside view is beautiful. The inside a bit bum puckering but fascinating how hard these people have worked to create these tunnels.Thanks for the view and BE SAFE SIR

[@kathy0698]

I love the mine exploration, but it gives me great anxiety!!!!

[@sonialightfoot5562]

Beautiful shots at the end.

[@michaeldetroit.8125]

I must be a wuss, no way would I go into that mine alone! Beautiful video, thanks for sharing

[@kathiehacht9156]

Thank you for the tour.

[@lightning9279]

Next time please do a close up on the engine placard. It will tell the date, and type of engine.

[@Dragon90815a]

I agree, we can investigate and figure out what they were doing with it.

[@coolchrisj]

Or your looking to run off with it

[@coolchrisj]

@William Mulvaney guess you have never met a good thief. It doesn’t matter were or what if they want it they will find a way.

[@callowe7251]

The shack you found is the dynamite storage bunker, FAR from the actual mine.

[@annasnyder968]

On a previous video, you identified a plant that was high in vitamin C and gave a brief description. Would like to know what the short, and from what I could see, bright white bushes are in this video. Not being able to see them up-close makes it hard to identify. Also, living in the East doesn't help. Enjoyed the video.

[@001desertrat3]

@@annasnyder968 -- Both Rose Hips & Pine Needles are rich in Vitamin C . Pine Needles are normally brewed into a Tea . Check Wikipedia for the Many ways of preparing Rose Hips .

[@philipcallicoat3147]

I remember when I was living in the little town of Beatty NV... Haven't been there for many years... What I learned about walking around in the desert, I don't know how many giant holes litter the desert floor around the area...I know you don't want to fall into one... Some of them go straight down for hundreds of feet..I noticed that none of those pits were fenced around the edges... It would be suicidal to go walking around after dark... I remember hearing that a dirt biker went down one... The authorities decided it was too dangerous to go down and retrieve his body... The camera they dropped down the shaft also reported another body was down on the bottom...Scary and a strong reminder to be very careful and stay alert when you're walking around the old mining areas...☠️💔

[@rshutterbug47]

I Hope You Have A Gas Dector For Them Old Mines , Some of Them Have DEADLEY GASES In Them

[@dougshaw7128]

I’m great full that you hiked up there and recorded it so that I can enjoy it from my recliner.

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@spirit1259]

The motor in the wash looks like an air pressure water pump, and the sheets of steel in the mine drive are blast sheets placed on the floor in front of the blast to make hand bogging easier. Regards (an old time miner)

[@tomandrews2721]

I am a retired mining geologist and formerly spent considerable time evaluating abandoned mines. What you are doing is incredibly dangerous for two reasons. 1. You are not carrying air monitoring equipment or a self rescuer. Bad air, not cave-ins is the biggest cause of death in abandoned mines. 2. As several others have pointed out, you are alone and have no one who could potentially rescue you or go for help. Good luck!

[@fanveta]

Everything is correct!

[@kenhawkins5469]

A great narrative on your travels well done 👏 Thank You 😊

[@gregwarner3753]

A whole lot of water comes down that road during floods. Don't be there when one hits.

[@misccomments9752]

Once you do that a few times, you'll likely be jaded having experienced that so often, that you'll not feel the need to mention the part about, "does not appear on any maps",

[@Peaceful-resistance1]

Thanks for taking us along and for the beautiful photography. But "Be Safe" is more than a cliche. Always take a good mate with you when you go out in the bush👌😎 None of this would have been worth it had you smashed yourself or needed a hand. Hope you at least let someone know where you were going and when to expect you out🤔 That's putting the popular phrase "Be safe mate." To a real and practical use. Safe adventures and keep up the good work 👌😎✌❤

[@SRocco-dv8we]

Cool video ! Definitely a rugged area . 👍🏼

[@lucylou9417]

That was fun thanks for sharing!

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelpage7691]

It appears a lot for very little when you see the diggings. Your right about the size of the bracing… it’s massage compared to other mines. Happy Christmas to you. 😁👍🏻🇦🇺

[@evastanford2249]

Enjoyed everything about your exploring,thank you for filming it

[@manchild111]

Very cool. Thank you for doing these really cool videos. It is our history. May God bless you and KEEP YOU SAFE. 🙏

[@mickie7873]

You did some heavy/duty climbing up that ravine to get to this mine. (the road was up there and apparently came in from over the rim). That was a very impressive adet those miners put their effort into. Imagine getting those beams hauled in over this rugged country. Wonder what they were mining in this high country. Thanks for sharing your "adventure" on film for us.

[@andrewbrown8216]

Image getting that air compressor up there! Just subbed & 👍

[@TruggyDriver69]

Your so lucky to be able to explore all this.

[@carlinshowalter1806]

I wish I had never moved from states that had BLM land. Now I'm in Texas where nobody🤥😟wants to let you explore their land.

[@LolPepperGate]

Nice little discovery! That wash seems like a fun hike up as well. Area does look like the El Paso's but farther East towards the Rands. Maybe northern Rands deep towards Inyo

[@ErokLobotomist]

So glad I found your channel. All your videos are so fun to watch. Love the history, must be great living in that area.

[@928juggalo4]

Great video. I'm a little north to make those a days trip, but this is exactly my idea of a daycation.

[@MrStrollerisme]

I still have a very bad habit of seeing a trail or what was trail and welp "what's down that way"? I've ran across more places in the toolies running around on my old Suzuki PE250 enduro. Lots of fun and even more found. Most folks get off on climbing rocks with 4 wheels. I like hoping around on 2.

[@babydriver8134]

I had a '80 PE! It was a hoot.

[@hoffmiermp]

I do the same on my quad when I'm out and about in the desert. I bring my Garmin with me and mark various locations and found plenty of unmarked mines and shafts.

[@Speakno12]

I had a Suzuki 1974 TS 250 Savage enduro, loved that bike..... it was red

[@babydriver8134]

@@Speakno12 The '72 Savage was my first. Spent $50 on a Bassani Torque pipe and off we went.

[@rickbrown7287]

@@Speakno12 😁👍 I had one too!!! Bought it in '77 with 1200 miles on it. $450.oo. Rode the s*it outta it. Only problem I EVER had with it was it kept spitting the baffle out for some reason. 🤫😂😂😂 LOTS of good memories.

[@jaypete3500]

Stumbled across your show. I like it. I can tell true desert wanderers by how they hike. When you walk you tend to utilize shade when its there. Amateurs tend to not use natural paths and resources

[@tommytinker]

Great videos! My son and I have been with you on some of your explorations. You always have knowledge and stories of the areas we visit! Great job!

[@jefferydickelm130]

Used to explore the old uranium mines around Moab when I lived there. Very cool.

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

That I have not done. I have been to Moab and spend a lot of time in the Arizona Strip, but never went into one of those 1950s uranium mines. It is on my list of things to check out.

[@TonyStark-or3er]

@@DesertTrailsExplored There are several uranium mines in the Arizona Strip area, still on the NV side.

[@marypatten9655]

Isn't uranium radio active and you can get radio active poisoning from it? Just saying that heard you could die from that stuff.

[@stratocaster1greg]

Awesome video Sir! Thanks for sharing and stay safe out there. God Bless.

[@SueGirling68]

I still can't believe that old compressor was intact as it must have been sat there for a good amount of time, amazing. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 💖

[@BBQDad463]

In some States, a mine, whether underground or open-pit, can be called "active" so long as a piece of "major" equipment is still there. This lets the operators of the mine off the hook for all of the final, environmental cleanup as well as filling in of pits and shafts, and removal of hazardous waste. Leaving behind one, worn-out compressor is far cheaper than going through the process of formally shutting down the mine.

[@tootsieshmutsie6428]

Wow really appreciate your brave investigatinig

[@Mike-01234]

Someone spent lot of time and hard work bringing all that heavy timber to those drifts. These places where have to hike to generally are not vandalized the people who go around doing that sort of thing are generally too lazy to hike anywhere. Most of the historic sites here in AZ where you could drive to all been destroyed or gated now with the big spike in UTV's like razers bunch of city people come out to the deserts wreck it.

[@williampockoski5029]

First, great Video , imagine the life of a miner, very tough life. Thank you for sharing your adventure.

[@Blessings.429]

O M G sweety keep uploading,honest I breath like this after 50 steps on FLAT ground.

[@bobbys4327]

I like the rock formation on the right @ 1:38 plus that looks like a dinosaur or dragon.

[@dicktracygarden]

TS 15:18 & TS 15:19 Love these shots of the air compressor and desert vista.

[@thomasmixson7064]

As a kid spending the summers in our cabin near Taos, New Mexico we explored endlessly and found several abandoned miner's cabins..calenders on walls, a few plates, empty cans and even a few unemptied, chairs, tables ect....we left them as they were...too bad they now have been plundered and no longer exist

[@donnholcomb9301]

Just found your channel, subscribed, now looking to watch all your videos. Thanks

[@manderson3231]

Great Finds!

[@pmg8504]

The Hills Have Eyes!

[@dereklonewolf9011]

Awesome video young fella 👍 a support buddy might be safer too. But I understand sometimes solitude is golden 🍁 73+ Manitoba hunter expat

[@brucemorris6319]

My luck I would go down in one of those holes and find a big rattlesnake .

[@danmitchell9808]

I settled in NV in 1087 in Heavenly Valley, but l always could be found in Virginia City. I was always fascinated by the mining industry. A lot can be learned at Virginia City.

[@DaDa-ud6fr]

Incredible find! Untouched.

[@jaymehatfield9540]

Gosh that was wonderful hiking with you, hearing your breathing, listening to your explorer's thoughts. Sincere thanks for your channel. Subbed.

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@patriciaelizondo7263]

Thank you for taking us along. It was very interesting! Be safe!

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@coptertim]

This looks like an area I explored in the El Paso Mountains near Ridgecrest California. It used to be open for off roading, shooting and prospecting. All state parkland now. Great place to explore.

[@coptertim]

PS: if it is near the El Paso range or Red Rock Canyon, check out Burro Schmidt's Tunnel. A tunnel thru the top of a mountain. Nowhere to nowhere else.....

[@mikehardwick352]

Thanks for letting us tag along on this interesting video

[@Glenn-em3hv]

It's unbelievable how they hauled that huge timbering in that mine!!! Those must be extremely heavy!!!

[@donaldking8288]

Thanks for the journey, It's about impossible to find places like that where there's something to explore !!

[@johnbrownlee7623]

Thanks for the Video......Would have been a great place to fly a drone and get more shots............JB.............

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

Next time!

[@johnbrownlee7623]

@@DesertTrailsExplored Great..................

[@sonialightfoot5562]

And music 👍

[@Jackle61]

Put the GPS away and pull out a compass,,, it's becoming a lost art. Keep the phone for safety though. Nice video.

[@hoffmiermp]

The majority are clueless when it comes to reading a map and using a compass and protractor.

[@williamhebert4504]

66

[@daveybass655]

The logistcs, in bringing all that out there. Impressive.

[@garyharris3159]

Very Good

[@raktoda707]

Beautiful expression of how difficult it is to access these remote gems you shar with us.Fine photography!

[@julierawlins5984]

Loved the photos at the end

[@chet2201]

I love that area , like to have spent more time exploring years ago. Please point out ore they mined. Death Valley has many unconventional ores.

[@SoonerGirltravels]

Love your desert adventures

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

Thank You

[@cjw648]

If you come this way often, you should leave yourself little extra caches of water and food. And maybe a tarp for shelter. And a first aid kit. Etc. Do you let anyone know what way you are traveling ? You definitely should use the buddy system. It's named so for a reason. Also, please slow down. You are breathing too heavy. Slow down. Breathe in slowly through your nose, then out slowly through your mouth. Do this until your breathing returns to normal . Take small sips of water. Then pace yourself as you hike. Stay safe in your travels

[@ADVNevada]

very cool

[@trek6145]

Man You Got Some Big Ones To Go Walking into a Mine Alone... So Many Factors Are in Play When You Are Alone

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

Guess I don't think about it. Been exploring underground for over twenty years. This makes going into these old mines very natural.

[@buckgibbons6218]

Don't know where you're at here. Enjoyed it though. I used to live up in the Cripple Creek Mining District in Colorado. I've explored tons of old mines all over Colo. A bit too old and brittle now though. Enjoy, and stay safe.

[@repentantsoul4213]

First trip w/you on your adventure. I kept hoping you’d find something shiny and glittery! Maybe next time. Maybe you already have & I need to binge watch your previous videos 👍

[@TheOtherMeLV]

This was a lot of fun

[@DesertTrailsExplored]

thank you

[@michaelsorenson9585]

I am trippin over how your walking around like no prob with altitude and traversing g that mountian side also that is so cool what you have discovered

[@doorgunnerone]

great pictures towards the end here. Good eye.

[@sharonkasper5126]

Great hiking with you. Looking at the walls on the last tunnel you entered, it seemed the color of silver ore was present, not very much. They most likely took all the good stuff. Incredible finding that compressor there still. Good job friend. Thanks. Take care.

[@voncielrussell6260]

That’s some ruff walking up that wash.

[@chinabluewho]

The only time I have ever been truley happy was when I lived out in the desert and used to go for long hikes out into the desert in the winter and the isolation and barren desolation was wonderfull.

[@carlinshowalter1806]

Me too!

[@robertdavis5714]

Looks like Death Valley when you pan back. Cannot believe what you found that is not suppose to exist.

[@bristleconepinus2378]

The real treasure is that view, great that you are interested enough to get out there and find it.

[@barrygiar4357]

.[)

[@barrygiar4357]

9⁹⁹⁹988

[@goodfriend6428]

BRAVO!