The Great IGNORED Desert of the American West

In this video I probe the depths of one of the great American deserts that is ignored by basically everyone-but it's spectacular!
DATE FILMED: Early November 2023
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowhow.com/
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
► The SUV RVing Facebook Group: / suvrving
LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO
** The “windmometer” - I couldn't find a link to the one I have (like I said in the video, I've had it for years). But if I were to buy a new one, I'd get this: amzn.to/486ZW8x
** My older Crystal Peak video: • A MOUNTAIN OF FOSSILS ...
GPS COORDINATES, etc.
** Starting campsite: 38.78927, -112.66355
** Paxton Corral: 38.76556, -112.67001
** Historic stone corral: 38.801157, -112.674404
** Black Spring: 38.769412, -112.832202
** Obsidian Beds: 38.766819, -112.822681 (This is the first one. The second is just 150 feet to the SW.)
** Sevier Lake (the spot where I stopped): 38.74246, -113.19372
** Masada: 38.81964, -113.54330
** Ending campsite: 37.83787, -113.03577
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other KZbin channel: / tenkaraaddict
#adventure #travel #camping

[@Gail-gf7km]

Ranchers often put goldfish in stock ponds to help keep the water clean and reduce mosquitoes. Gold fish can survive even though the surface may freeze.

[@SUVRVing]

Fascinating! Good to know 👍

[@jimperry4420]

What do they eat?

[@Gail-gf7km]

@@jimperry4420 bugs, algae, any other detritus that falls into the water. Mosquito larvae. They can grow quite large.

[@ConnieWojahn]

@@Gail-gf7km Maybe tidbits of grass and such which falls out of the cattle mouths. Cattle and sheep use water sources to clean their mouths since they don't brush their teeth. Dogs and cats do this too.

[@willar7179]

@@jimperry4420 when we had horses, my dad put goldfish in their water tank to eat the mosquito larvae. They would nibble on the horses’ noses as they drank. Probably eating the ground up grass from the horses’ mouths. The horses didn’t seem to mind.

[@gardencompost259]

Those obsidian pieces are napped, the leftovers from making points/ arrowheads. You can tell by what is called the bulb of percussion. How cool. Yes, of course with a spring and all, a perfect campsite.

[@tinarankin9290]

In Australia the aboriginal paintings on the rocks was to tell tribes passing through the type of food in the area that was available Love your exploring videos ❤

[@the_weed_in_your_garden9319]

I'm suffering in a Midwest blizzard with over 16" of snow. I would love to be in the desert right now 😅

[@trishaswaney648]

Same! I know we’ve had a late start to winter but I’m over it

[@AdventuresWithPennyLane]

I live just north of Sevier and its cold af here right now

[@forester057]

Filmed in November…

[@bkbland1626]

It gets PLENTY cold in UT.

[@Travelin_Man1]

Yeah, don't be fooled: just because it's a desert doesn't mean it's warm. I'm sure this area is plenty cold right now!

[@reneepowell8541]

Love that you often explore these places that fly under the radar. My favorite spot was the Paxton Corral. How cool to just walk around and look at the rock art...no entry fee, no well-beaten trail, no fences, wow!

[@raelene9703]

The obsidian with the brown in it is called Mahogany obsidian. Has many great properties. Love this video as I do all of yours. Thanks so much

[@marknovak2413]

After the flood years in the '80s, Sevier Lake was full. Once we camped at its north end, just a short distance off Hwy. 6/50. There was an actual beach, and with the typical south wind, big waves were crashing up on it. The water was warm, and at night a full moon was shimmering on the huge lake. You'd never think you were in western UT!

[@SUVRVing]

Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing.

[@ConnieWojahn]

Sounds magical!

[@vincentsmalley3073]

Wow that wouldve been a sight to see

[@donalddday7741]

the fish will eat the algae to keep tank clean, had a home in the real Northern California it had a small pond with gold fish in it when i got it and i never gave them food plus it would freeze solid every winter cause it was only around 1.5 feet deep and the fish survived every winter

[@curtdrahn8522]

Thanks for answering my question.

[@jamesreynolds6806]

Love your channel. Thanks for not trying to pretend that you're the first human to "find" these special places and for giving the names of some of the locations. I, like you, have spent most of my 60 years climbing and exploring the backroads of Utah and learning about these cool sites. I love experiencing these unique locales. Keep up the great vids!

[@mratliff1277]

I have been out in the middle of nowhere often enough to know how awe inspiring those places are! You are truly blessed to be doing this for a living! Thank you for these fantastic vicarious experiences! God and His creation drops me to my knees.

[@sharondavis8003]

Sevier Lake by far! The turquoise pool was beautiful 😮 Did you notice how artistically done the long horned stag was beside the circle drawing with the hole in the middle was? Caught my eye right away. 😊 So great to know that there is someone besides me who loves the serene & calming atmosphere of being one with nature far from the noisy crowds. 👍🏻🙋🏼‍♀️

[@ceceliaroberts1475]

You never disappoint, Tristan. This brings back memories of when I lived in Utah and explored it. I'm glad people ignore it.

[@eddymahon1503]

I know. I wish more people would ignore Zion.

[@1nvisible1]

*Stone Corral: Very cool, not sure it's as new as you think, only potential indication of heavy equipment was right angle lower right of @**5:37**, but you could've easily done same with a team of oxen.*

[@djmygui]

Good Morning!!!! I make it a point to start off my Saturdays watching your content! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us !!!!

[@SUVRVing]

I appreciate you watching every week! 😁

[@kevansmith5511]

You almost made me want to move to Utah, but New Orleans suits me much better. Thank you for showing the natural beauty of America. I appreciate it.

[@OsoViejo7]

It's awesome that you go exploring in a region that may not have the spectacular formations that Utah is famous for but does have plenty of solitude and is pretty wide open. Keep it up!

[@pattyweiland4882]

Tristan, would you (or other Utah explorers) trust a RAV4 to explore areas like in this video? Thank you!

[@johnd746]

For me the most interesting part was why if the people who built the corrals had the equipment to move all those heavy rocks, that they didn't build something a little less troublesome. Obviously the dry lake bed was cool, but I also like the mountain, with the views from your drone. Thanks as usual for taking us with you on this adventure.

[@kstigerlily]

I love obsidian, and really enjoyed seeing the obsidian beds- but every part of this trip was informative and visually intriguing. I look forward to your Saturday videos!!! Not a single one leaves me without making a mental note for a future exploration. Thank you!

[@1nvisible1]

*For those unaware, Obsydian is volcanic glass, brown and reds are from hematite or iron oxide in the glass and sometime you'll find a piece that's got microbubbles in it that's gold. Indigenoug folks made arrowheads from them.*

[@brian1204]

Loved the Paxton Corral, all of the pictographs are amazing. Also the turquoise pool in the salt lake. Awesome.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

I liked seeing the little brother of the Great Salt Lake.

[@michaeltichonuk2176]

Outstanding scenery! Shawn Willsey, a geology professor out of Utah did a video of that white mountain. The SW has the kind of history I enjoy. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@carmelahearle957]

I'm an adventurous person. I love this adventure you took us on. I have been in many places out there. I liked the black spring! Also I didn't know the Sevier lake even had any water at all. I liked the salt crystal shapes. 💙

[@TheTravelArtDiaries]

My understanding is that ranchers stock the koi to help reduce algae from building up in the water making it healthy to drink for the cattle.

[@rugged9769]

Fantastic episode. Utah seems to be full of obscure, otherworldly places just waiting to be explored

[@Deanna52ish]

Oh wow, I've been to Masada in Israel and the shape looks strikingly similar; however, these spires looks similar to the Chirachaua's in eastern Arizona. Very impressive. We love Cedar City. There's an awesome pizza place there called Centro Woodfired Pizzaria , best pizza we've ever had and I've been to lots of them around the world. Thanks for taking us along Tristan.

[@SUVRVing]

Wow, I'll have to check that place out! I'll be back in Cedar City in a couple weeks 😁🍕

[@cgl503]

I like the feeling of desert stillness that comes through the video (except for the wind). It seems like the right pace of life. Can't wait to try it myself, when the weather is a bit nicer.

[@ConnieWojahn]

Quiet, slow pace has been treasured by Native Americans for thousands of year.

[@jimmym3352]

I like that white mountain, that's something I wouldn't mind climbing.

[@Double0pi]

I study salty places and those shots of Sevier Lake made me want to run out there with my science field gear!

[@SUVRVing]

Do it and let me know what you find!

[@InSurrealtime]

Paxton Corral had so much art, and many unique ones. I could spend hours there.

[@cassie6281]

The windmometer!!

[@markgunnell2149]

Paxton corral rock art. Beautiful

[@Miles_To_Go]

I love the West Desert! So many hidden gems

[@joybeekingston6472]

My favorite was Black Spring. Just imagine how grateful anyone, human or animal, would be stumbling across such a water source. And, then, how did those fish get there? Did someone put them there? Who? Why? How many years have they been there? Super interesting! Thanks again, Tristan ❤

[@JessicaTPeterson]

And what are they eating?

[@joybeekingston6472]

@@JessicaTPeterson Maybe bugs that land on the surface of the water?

[@willar7179]

@@JessicaTPeterson I’m sure the rancher who put them there wanted them to eat mosquito larvae. But they would also eat algae from the bottom and anything edible that blew into the water.

[@pgrayson3138]

The fish were probably put in the water tank to help keep down the algae growth. You always have awesome videos, we always enjoy them.

[@SUVRVing]

Interesting! That makes sense

[@ConnieWojahn]

Extremely interesting, thank you from wet, rainy, cold, drippy Oregon.

[@TheJBirch]

I have a chunk of obsidian with the red brown patterns on it that I inherited and I have been told it's from iron oxide crystals within. Basically there was a little molten iron flowing in that obsidian lava before it hardened I believe.

[@tinarankin9290]

WOW I love finding gemstones and fossils ❤ I love America so rich in these wonderful finds I need to migrate 😂

[@kellyjohnson3617]

Sevier lake was gorgeous. But I always enjoy your off-road adventures cuz my little Corolla could never access those amazing places got the most part. I love the rock art and I’m a rock hound so I love the obsidian beds as well. Thanks for sharing this fantastic part of southern Utah

[@joebrown2577]

The clear water structures looks like the footers and head walls of a bridge. Looks like a huge salt operation. Ponds for evaporating the brine. Hauled out on the causeways created by dredge and fill. Wow. Crystal peak looks like an eroded salt dome. Really enjoyed the vid. Geologically interesting. A small wind generator mounted on vehicle, would charge your batteries. The drone shots really take me there. Nice camera work in a beautiful environment few will ever experience. Thanks Chilly in Clearwater, FL.

[@larrydraper4451]

Your drone video clips are great. It's so neat to see the patterns from above. I would like to fly a drone but most of my travels are in state or national parks and they frown on that sort of thing. I love rock formations so my favorite was Masada. I was a rock hound in my younger years and loved obsidian but never knew about the brown ones. You always share such good information. Looking forward to your 2024 travels. I enjoy my Saturday morning breakfast with Tristan.

[@cargotrailerkenny4481]

I liked it all, I like the variety as with the dynamics one finds with good music.

[@tinarankin9290]

That lake was incredible ❤ Landscape looks like Mars !!

[@nancyst.john-smith3891]

My favorite was black spring. I also like the puddle in Stevie’s lake bed. I’ve driven past that area on my way to visit family. Love it!

[@Sonya60andlearning]

I enjoy all the desert footage I see. The Utah desert is on my bucket list. I was shocked to see Kio fish in spring water in what should be a "natural environment" . Who knows? I really enjoy the salt lakes footage. Have a great weekend.

[@joeoutabout2947]

Crystal Peak is tuff, made from the volcanic ash that came from a super volcano on the Nevada / Utah border. If I remember right, it last erupted over 50 million years ago, and was bigger than the Yellowstone volcano. The mountain building process has pretty much erased the crater, but the tuff of Crystal Peak and a few other blocks remain in the area.

[@saltpan8005]

Utah really is a beautiful state. The drone shots you got were amazing.

[@paulkeller3944]

Always love to see rock art but the salt lake is beautiful! Thanks for sharing these natural treasures!

[@victoriamaaske7420]

We just stayed at Cedar City on our return from CA to the Midwest. I loved the obsidian rock. Wish I had known these spots. I remember an exit on 15 for Sevier Lake. Thanks for stopping for us. So many petroglyph in one spot too. Awesome. I guess I have to say to myself that January is too cold to stop. Ha.

[@virginiagerardi2056]

I haven't seen one of your videos in a while. Your narration, camera work and editing have really improved! I'm subscribing!

[@jeffMinnesota952]

Nice video beautiful sky, especially at the end, love the drone video, liked the Sevier lake and the outcrops the best, thanks for sharing....

[@dianemurphy7625]

Sevier Lake was my favorite, although I can never get enough rock art. I found the fish a little unsettling. I'd love to know their back story! Thanks for another great video!

[@davidwellen830]

I have spent a lot of time over the last 25 years in the west desert but you still show me places that I have not seen. I have been to crystal peak and I am going to watch the video you have put the link to at that location. Like you, I love the west desert and the absolute solitude there. I once spent 4 days there with my Dad and in 4 days we saw 2 people and they were state workers grading one of the many dirt, (gravel), roads. Thanks for another great video. You never disappoint.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

Red sky in morning, sailors’ warning, red sky at night, sailors’ delight“ . The better weather moving east, gives rosy skies, before or after where you are.

[@tolik5929]

In areas like that , in the 1930's /40s , they dug up all that volcanic stone with steamshovels , Then used it for paving roads . As recent as the 1970's , you could stil see an abandoned steamshovel in the distance , off the interstate in NM and AZ . All have been removed by now , but the pits they dug still remain .

[@nicz9499]

Outstandingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing….your shades are pretty smart too! 😎

[@miloslavjungmann6836]

Nice Job, All Good! I love the obscure!

[@americanfrench5]

Awesome all that is missing in your vids is a bit of underwater video. You are the flag bearer for getting out there. Cheers!

[@arminiusgratis9439]

The white rocks (?) look somewhat like the Tufa (sic) around Mono Lake, CA. Correct me if I'm wrong !!

[@Conernforthesedogs-iw7lf]

thnx for the memories and we shiver a bit up here in Sasquatch land!

[@gregorycravedi1030]

thank you for sharing these special and unique locations, I've been visiting Utah 😊for 50 years and have never found a location that is not intriguing,

[@dominickrubertino686]

Sevier Lake for the Win!

[@benjeanettebooth1800]

The desert has a beauty all its own. I was hoping that you would run on to some wild horses out there. If you go further north, and west of Milford, towards the Nevada border by Garrison, you should encounter wild horses. Maybe a future adventure to share with your followers. Thanks for your very talented work!

[@dianne11ca]

Utah is so mysterious and beautiful, I have always been fascinated by this landscape. As a first time watcher of one of your videos, I had to subscribe. I like your vibe, and I learned so much in this video that my jaw is still sitting on my chest. LOL Cheers!

[@jburnett8152]

I loved all of it. The stone corral is interesting because of the mystery. I'm wondering if someone comes by and feeds the fish ? Thanks for a fun time.

[@angeloangelojoseph1494]

Western Utah is my Anti-Zion, beautiful historic sites, with No crowds. I use Filmore and Delta to resupply, some of the best rockhounding in the US. The Sevier River brings Life to central Ut, flowing N from Bryce to Nephi, then winds W to Delta. Thanks for posting, it seems to be a very unappreciated area.

[@josal5674]

Would love to see you travel with shawn willsey, the idaho geology professor who would be able to answer all of your rock and landscape questions

[@user-ev5jl2hq8g]

This is just so beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking.

[@noyopacific]

Tristan mentioned the lack of reviews on the Google Map entry for Historic Stone Corral. I checked, still no reviews, not even one by SUV RVing. 😜 Thanks for the video !!!

[@dvdschaub]

My favorite part was the drone footage of Sevier Lake. Amazing that it could fly reliably in the wind.

[@SUVRVing]

It does better in the wind than I thought it would!

[@forwimp]

I've driven that stretch of I15 over a hundred times, and didn't know there was so much of interest to go look at just off the Interstate. This is a great video. I'm looking forward to my next trip past there, when I'll take some time to go look at these sites.

[@gumotx]

Your new mini drone handles the high winds very well.

[@NMS.SuperDuper]

Thank you for adding the filmed date! 😅🥶

[@MountainFisher]

I found it is best to have someone with you if you're going to climb steep mountains if in the middle of nowhere.

[@macmcabee328]

The Obsidian with the red ( or brown ) is called Mahogany Obsidian . There are a lot of colorations of Obsidian. Thanks for the great video.

[@tothesummit5864]

I'm a rockhound based in Las Vegas and love wandering all the lonely areas across the west. There are actually several types obsidian that can be found in that area. There is mahogany which you found as well as snowflake obsidian and gold sheen obsidian. And of course lots of plain black. They all cut and polish into very beautiful cabachons. Also there is a huge quarry full of pumice stone in the same area. Pumice is the only stone that floats in water.

[@SUVRVing]

Interesting! Thanks for the info

[@stphns1737]

The stone corral was absolutely fascinating.

[@BuzzinAlong]

Great stuff - I love the desert, especially here in Eastern Oregon. Utah's West Desert is now on my radar. Thx for sharing. Subscribed.

[@jwb2814]

Pretty desolate I love it

[@matthewclarki]

Beautiful! Thanks!

[@tracker5849]

My favorites were that amazing spring and the obsidian bed....my favorite stone ever other than turquois. Thank you. I have never seen another you tuber go to these places. I never knew they existed!! Think I'm going to subscribe!!

[@debiebrumley3104]

another wonderful adventure !!!

[@lindasams6058]

Some people put Koi fish in a spring or in a horse trough some source of water I guess the Koi fish is supposed to keep it clean & stirred up

[@bryanbischof4351]

I really appreciate your maps at the start showing where you are. Even more zoom in versions would be appreciated also!

[@64maruca]

Really enjoyed the variety of sights!

[@peterwaksman9179]

Just great. Thanks

[@elaine8477]

Never heard of this place! When I do a great southwest roadtrip will have to visit it!

[@kimsargeant8126]

Great video. Whew windy!

[@nwilliams1540]

Every spot was great in this one. Thanks.

[@ebzovi]

Awesome

[@keysonthego3663]

Awesome episode Tristan thank you!

[@susans8539]

I love the rock art location. I truly enjoy historical areas and imagine what it was like for those who created that art. So much to see and do there. Thanks for another fun vid-quite enjoyable.

[@juliebelize4285]

Gorgeous. Thanks for sharing those aqua pools and the stunning mountain cliffs.

[@Rexodus014]

The "Rock Corral" got my curiosity. Considering what must have required to bring some of those larger rocks there... even though there might have been somewhat of a pile there originally.🤔

[@bernieromero9366]

Thank you for todays adventure, lake bed 👍👍

[@dixielambrecht7009]

I agree. Sevier lake was amazing especially the color of the pool.

[@isabelmendi3973]

Spectacular place the water so clear. I’m glad you are a safe person.

[@cherylmiller-day5932]

Loved it all, but the crystal clear lake👌. Great scenery Tristen. Again, thank you!@

[@dmdavis4551]

Love this video! New experiences to take in. WOW! Thank you so much! Sevier Lake was my favorite!

[@dianespears6057]

Really interesting drone views. Thank you. Love all the treks everywhere.

[@klee88029]

18:53 Snowshoes baby, Snowshoes! Never go trekking exploring a desert without bringing along your snowshoes 😁🧓

[@philhurst9053]

This video brings back memories of the wind in the desert. Been exploring southeastern Utah for much of my life. Sometimes it will almost drive you crazy.