This Ancient Ruin Shouldn't Be In Such Perfect Condition!

[@DunkelRuhrOutdoors]

The little one is pure Gold! Good to see 3 men explore the wilderness. This is how to make memories for a lifetime!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

This will always be one of my favorites for that reason

[@howardb.6205]

well said, absolutely!

[@thomaskaiakapu2672]

You just inspired a future archeologist.

[@paulapridy6804]

Owen has a cool dad and uncle to show him places and things only a small percentage of folks get to be aware of. Lucky guy

[@ppodoentbeast]

This is absolutely one of the most incredible ones you’ve ever filmed. I have watched many of your videos, but there’s something about this one. It’s the large flat pieces and how they’re stacked and how well they’ve handled wind and stood the test of time. I agree with you I don’t think much has fallen, it’s amazing. thank you for sharing this with us.

[@kayhansen9229]

Yes I have to agree with everybody there's you and that other guy and I've seen so many of these wonderful ruins that I would have never even imagined that this many existed! I'm an American raised out in California and Texas but I never knew so many of these things were around especially all of the little cliff dwelling so high up in every nook and cranny it seems like the plateau or desert Southwest was just a neighborhood just full of these things everywhere. I wonder if there are estimates or guesstimates of how many homes are scattered throughout this whole region.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I really appreciate that! This will always be one of my favorites! Thanks for watching!

[@Ddax-td7qy]

Hard to imagine building it. Did they pry up flat stones to "cannibalize" the original top? I guess they had some kind of reed/twine ropes. But water is so heavy! So far! So many of these ruins scream last-ditch desperation. Awesome, yet sad.

[@aussieintexas61]

@@TheTrekPlanner are there any dwellings close to it ?

[@nighthawkflater2917]

Kudos for emphasizing that people shouldn’t in any manner deface or otherwise damage the historical sites

[@CarbonFibreHeart]

Take only photos, leave only footprints.

[@Dontfallforit77]

Yes, nobody cares who or when they were there. We don't need to know.

[@Dee-c1e]

It is sad when people do that .

[@skyeseaborn1170]

Amazing adventure! Owen, and Brian were fun too. Thanks so much for letting us tag along with you guys.

[@Ron-d2s]

On a different video recently Jeff said he thought the walls on the structure were defensive, but they were on the path at sections with a long drop. I suggested they could have been used as defense but that they could be there to prevent hyperactive children from falling off... I bet with Owen he and Brian may have had a few heart stoppers on this one.

[@EstherKratochvil]

@@Ron-d2s

[@edhazlewood124]

By the way, your idea for a 3-D model library is AWESOME! Some day it may be the best information we have about a site that may disappear due to erosion or vandalism.

[@sheep1ewe]

Which software did he use for this?

[@edhazlewood124]

@@sheep1ewe I don't know but I am sure he would tell you.

[@sheep1ewe]

@@edhazlewood124 Thank You, i would love to try this with pictures of a bronze age site close to where i live so it could be presented on a webpage for people to see.

[@donaldboyer8182]

Might be a good idea to incorporate something to display the scale of the site. But it is beautiful. It won't last forever because that big rock which hangs a bit over the edge will give way someday.

[@williamjenkins9]

There looked to be remains of fire… could be dated… very interesting

[@mirandamom1346]

Given that the structure is so exposed to the elements, the preservation is amazing!

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Me thinks it was rebuilt. Maybe by natives 200+ years ago. It wouldn't stand 1000 years.

[@obsidianjane4413]

Its not old.

[@cassieweldon9125]

I would think that using the flat stones would certainly add to the stability of the structure......

[@merk9569]

@@JamesJones-cx5pk. Why would they have rebuilt it? Especially 200 years ago? Europeans were in the area. I don’t see why Native Americans would have spent so much effort building something like that unless it had a significant use. I can’t imagine what it would be.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

@@merk9569 If it was a ruin and all of the rocks were at the base, it would easily be rebuilt for the same purpose.

[@catpatrick3838]

Incredible how intact it is. Very little has fallen despite the elements it is exposed to. Amazing!

[@jmercado2062]

I just want to say thank you for teaching people etiquette and respect. More and more I am seeing videos where people climb all over the ruins, throw potsherds around, and take things.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I’ve been seeing that too. It’s hard to respect channels like that

[@jmercado2062]

@@TheTrekPlanner One of them even laughed at me after I commented to be more careful

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

yep I have seen it too. one guy was like literally breaking off peices of stone from a ruin like completely oblivious to the fact that that was extremely inappropriate and damaging the site. it is weird to me that people are not able to understand that they can not damage something like this AT ALL some of these ruins are thousands of years old if everyone who visited them broke a little bit of the rocks or mud off there would be nothing left.

[@user-ml5yw8tf8b]

I've been following your channel for a while, and this site blew me away! How did they build this? How much erosion has occurred since its creation? Who were these people, and what was their life like? Thank you for reiterating to your followers to respect and not desecrate the ruins.

[@jimlipscomb3236]

Thanks for doing these trek videos. This structure definitely sparks curiosity!

[@janettetippetts7942]

I'm glad you had somebody with you for most of the trip. What fun! What you need to remember about many of these 'ancient' ruins is that the valley floors weren't as far below them as they are at this time. Nature doesn't pick out just one little piece of land in a vast terrain when it comes to years of weather. It all changes. But these builders knew how to make things last for their lifetimes - and then some, didn't they?

[@RAJohns]

Ah now come on

[@GizzyDillespee]

The river washes erode quickly. The sandstone slowly falls apart. However, all over that landscape you can find pottery and stonework, from the time of the watchtowers, laying on the ground right where it fell. You can even see that in earlier episodes on this channel. This tower doesn't seem to have any datable artifacts, but it looks to be from that era stylistically. It's very unlikely that the valley's ground level was much higher then. It's definitely possible the ridge on which it sits has eroded a bit due to all the people and animals who've walked along it since the construction began. Especially walking around the tower, to reach its other side - you can see how much that narrow shelf, between the tower and the cliff, has eroded.

[@janettetippetts7942]

@@GizzyDillespee I'm sorry. Thank you for the kind and informative correction.

[@janettetippetts7942]

@@RAJohns I'm sorry. Thanks to the other person's informative response, I understand yours.

[@Good-DaySunshine]

@@GizzyDillespee Interesting! Question: As windy as it is there, does loose soil/sand get blown around and pile up higher in the low areas? Not as noticeable as desert sand, but does it happen that way?

[@joewenzel5142]

It amazes me how you find these things.

[@lamarw7757]

Google Earth. It's not hard to find them.

[@garytull7730]

Doesn't appear to be any mortar used, incredible how well preserved it is. The wind must blast through that area frequently, the builders did a great job of interlacing the rocks for maximum strength. Thanks again for a great trip.

[@AlwaysCheckmateNeverStalemate]

Or maybe the mortar disintegrated due to the wind and erosion...

[@luciamartinez9110]

Very cool very well preserved. Thank you for sharing.

[@felinetherapy4782]

That is amazing and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

That was the perfect time to play Jimmy Hendrix." All along the watch tower said the joker to the thief".😂

[@merk9569]

Bob Dylan

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

@@merk9569 Hendrix did it better.😮

[@kayhansen9229]

Try Fleetwood Mac's hypnotized, from way back.

[@carebearann4613]

Kitaro. "SILK ROAD"

[@Jiuhuashan]

Such a great exploration. Nice to meet Brian and Owen!

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

OMG!!! Owen is so cute!!! What a nice little guy!!!

[@SongOfSongsOneTwelve]

10:10 Love the drone shots, thank you, Jeff!

[@michaelschuenemann3505]

What a Brilliant Hike - glad the Little One made it - what Fantastic Landscape and Drone View of the Tower - wow and wow again ! Special Place and GREAT Adventure ! Thank You and many Cheers from Australia !!!!

[@sueball595]

That tower baffles the imagination. I agree with you-how did they climb up there, hauling rocks and other supplies? How many guys lost their lives during its construction? It just reinforces how truly amazing the ancients were.

[@devonbond3093]

A possible explanation is when this was built it's base was more or less at the height of same level as the surrounding landscape, but erosion of the softer areas around it left it isolated on harder stone. If I'm right then it would not to difficult to build the tower.

[@jnm2088]

The same way the Incas and other mountain people did it. They use climbing sticks and literal rope bridges and pulley baskets.

[@Rocksider2525]

Unbelievably awesome. It's in such great shape. The question is why was it built. Getting food and water would be a chore. Spiritual spot? Just mind boggling. Thx for sharing that

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Cool 😎 adventure Hello from Beautiful British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦

[@pamelatify]

Incredible videography! Wow I’ve never seen anything like this. Very exciting. No textbook ever showed such interesting and unique ruins in the southwest. Thank you for sharing this- ❤

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊 I want to go back!

[@arthurveenstra1384]

How intriguing. I enjoy it with natural sound, no music, just the wind, footsteps, silence and some narration. It gave me a real feel of that place. Thanks!

[@gracepeterson7483]

Owen is adorable. Apparently the ancient peoples were not afraid of heights. Can you imagine the stars on a clear night?

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I will have to spend a night out there and bring my camera!!

[@gracepeterson7483]

@@TheTrekPlanner YES!

[@DavidRobertson-pk4ld]

@@TheTrekPlanner I hope you do!

[@nancyprice5148]

When I went to Chaco Canyon the interpretor said when the people needed to travel at night there was stairs over the cliff face. When they got to the top runners would go ahead and light the way fires on towers. This may be a tower used for that purpose. And 700 to 1000 years ago this place may have had a lot more rock and dirt around it. The wind could have blown it away. Beautiful place. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Stay safe out there.

[@jburnett8152]

That was incredible. Very impressive. It reminded me of the stories we use to hear about smoke signals. Messages were sent from mountain top to mountain top.

[@teressarenslow5992]

The top was surprising! Very cool! Thanks for bringing us along! You rock!!

[@roxorange6022]

Outstanding site! Wonderful that you can do a 3D rendering of these places so there can be a permanent record. Really cool you could have some family along, and foster one little guy's first big adventure - first of many I'm sure!

[@lynneanderson2723]

Oh my Gosh...what an incredible ruin!!!!. Thank you so much.

[@random22026]

Breath-taking. So happy you preserve the site as it currently is, in a 3D model. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@turtleheninny]

this is one of the best you've found

[@nancygibson8854]

Awesome. That was so beautifully made. One of my favorite videos

[@DKing-jg7fl]

Just the amount of effort to move that much rock to that elevation is amazing. Plus the ability to construct a structure that has lasted centuries is impressive

[@swineapplebbq6485]

Beautiful landscape and adventure. Love your work on finding those special places.

[@kibscott6096]

That is sooo cool, it's amazing it's still intact like that, thank you for sharing this adventure. We'll see you in the next adventure 👍👍👍

[@TrzCharlie]

Another wonderful adventure. Thanks for taking this 74 year old along with you. I appreciate your channel and what you do.

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

Excellent subject and documentation. Bringing the kid accentuates how long and steep the hike is.

[@sharonstuebi8181]

You never disappoint!. My passion is building unusual structures, and I also can TRULY appreciate the effort passion and logistics involved in the construction. Amazingly preserved considering no morter stacked rock. So wonderful to have your brother and nefew along. Loved owens energy ! Thank you ,thank you thank you. Love from Grandma in Peru 🇵🇪

[@epoh8698]

Love your vids mate, This is a nice one to watch on a sunday morning here :) Thanks what an amazing site to be documented

[@Stromboli15]

Wow Jeff!! What an amazing find!! That dry stacking looked incredible!! That’s seriously one of the best preserved locations in the wild that I have seen here on your adventures. My breath was absolutely taken away by this one, and I was really pleased to see that you 3d image captured it too! I’m always really curious about the rocks and soils that you encounter. I’m a bit of a rock hound and some of the stuff you encounter is always super interesting. The strata of that “flakey” conglomerate rock made me begin to wonder what kinds of stones there might be contained within it. That big “ball like” stone you were pointing out to Brian looked like a bunch of “thunder eggs” but I don’t know if those are prevalent or even found near that area you were at. I’m curious if you have ever found any “pockets” or “seams” with crystals or agates or any semi precious stones that early indigenous cultures would have used for various tools or adornments or jewelry? Thanks again for another wonderful nature hike!! Can’t wait to view your next one!! 👌🤓🙏😇❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@patrickbass3542]

For the most part, it appears to be a very weathered natural formation that the ancients took advantage of to create and observation (and maybe defensive) position. The ancient Puebloans were masters at this type of construction! What did it look like 1,000 years ago? Was that "land-bridge" complete?

[@HeirOfNothingInParticular]

Thank you! I came here to say this.

[@chrisk28]

Such a magnificent adventure! I really appreciate your efforts and sharing. Also great to meet your family members, they seem awesome.

[@Bossladyone2]

Thank you for taking us on this towering adventure. If the rocks could talk, what a story they would tell. It was really cool that your Brother and Owen were able to join in the fun

[@arthurlaverman4365]

Very cool video.......again! Thank you for sharing and Keep up the good and entertaining work!

[@fungipolo]

Fantastic...ty so much for the videos...i enjoy them all....keep them coming😊

[@danasmith8557]

That was a great adventure thanx for sharing ❤

[@Dee-c1e]

Thank you for letting us come along with you. Be safe. ❤ The family thing. Cool.👍

[@DingbadYoutube]

Like the 3d for preserving the past. Great to see the family together. Thanks for the video.

[@vlakslee]

Thanks for another adventure. Better with family always. And the feeling of teaching younger people about new things and ideas.

[@TheTrekPlanner]

It was fun to see him running up and down the trail! He did so great even though we had a long drive

[@CarrieHackler]

Amazing Structure I Think Definitely a Watch Tower ❤

[@peanuts1173]

That was awesome! That's such a long ride. It was so nice to meet your brother and Nephew Owen. I love his reactions. So cute.

[@lynneanderson2723]

Oh my gosh....what an amazing ruin. Thank you so much for taking us there. 14:04

[@joewenzel5142]

The Crow's Nest.

[@Undomaranel]

Nah, that's taken in nautical speak. How about The Eyrie?

[@joewenzel5142]

@@Undomaranel That works.

[@mikeb3603]

Superb content! Jeff gets it! Thanks!

[@zebrobertson]

so cool... 3D imaging of site, and Owen's backpack. lol

[@lindabriggs5118]

Amazing ruin! One thing I noticed was the way the rocks are flat and thin. They were almost interlocked instead of the standard brick like rock with wattle and dob on the outside. It was beautiful to look at. Thank you letting us tag along.

[@malitrabakul701]

If you look the entire ridge, that structure was part of it. The errosion removed the connecting path and much of the structure's surroundings. Great video, BTW. 👍🏻

[@corneliusdinkmeyer2190]

That is a really cool find!!

[@hilltophomestead7262]

Absolutely breathtaking and mind-boggling! Love your insight and thoughts on the ancient peoples, very respectfully visited, as well!

[@davidpaesch1433]

You care and that is what makes you special for me! Thanks again. David S Paesch

[@TheTrekPlanner]

I really appreciate that, David! Thank you

[@davidpaesch1433]

@@TheTrekPlanner I know you're family is #1 to you and that is the only way to get ahead the right way in our modern times. You keep up with what you're doing and stay true to them and please don't get caught up with the hipe of getting likes and subscriptions to make money. Social media has ruined to many chasing something that they already had. Your the man!! Thanks buddy David S Paesch

[@GayeWinders-gn3km]

What a wonderful adventure this time guys! Loved all the different rock formations and geology of this area. Very interesting how different the deserts are in your area than the Australian ones here. Yes, awesome to contemplate the effort to build these structures and I think too about vessels used for carrying food and water up there. Thank you so much.

[@arlenegariepy8957]

Erosion wore away the way up too bad. Every Trek you make just makes my curiosity for the site run wild. LOL :) Your brother is just as curious as you great role models for both your kids keeping the love of history alive.

[@buckwheatsofia]

This tower was incredible, what a great video. Nice to have your brother & nephew along with you.

[@vanvorst1999]

Amazing find! 😎👍

[@stephenharrington2793]

Im SO glad to find this channel you've provided. Absolutely great content!!

[@johnganshow5536]

Amazing!!! Thank you...

[@chuckzehnder530]

Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks again, Jeff.

[@stevemehan7276]

I’m guessing watch tower … what an amazing place!

[@JillJensen-f4m]

Incredible architecture. The scenery is so barren and stark yet beautiful. Thank you for taking us on this adventure with you and your family.

[@markhelmuth6684]

Wow! Epic!!!

[@katesutton1476]

Awesome find. So much work hauling all those rocks to the top. U could see someone coming for miles. Thx 4 sharing. Well done Carry on

[@ktdale1340]

I said wow a thousand times. And I'll say it again W. O. W. Thanks so much for bring us with you.

[@jimkhana007]

What an amazing find and structure Shows the true initiative and tenacity of past people

[@JoyInMyHeart1]

I think towers like this serve many purposes. Watching weather, reading the skies, watching for animal migrations, and of course humans.

[@russellmillar7132]

It may have had a roof on it made of organic materials.

[@lnbjr7]

Another incredible adventure! Drone video segments were fantastic!

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Really appreciate that, thank you!

[@jamiebizness1]

Amaz8ng place . Best one yet

[@anniehuff9847]

Truly amazing site! Was fun to see Brian and Owen too!

[@dyannejohnson6184]

Incredible absolutely incredible

[@JeriStults]

Really enjoyed this journey today, thank you❤❤❤❤

[@JeriStults]

P.s. your 3-d model is the best idea ever❤❤❤

[@Chad-Giga.]

Cool!

[@CricketGirrl]

Gorgeous footage! I was really blown away by this one. Good job!

[@kjm4939]

Amazing!

[@johnmcnulty4425]

Always a great adventure of discovery on this channel!

[@StayStitching]

Are Owen's shoes on the wrong feet?😀

[@ChristiesThisnThat]

All of your videos are cool but this is the coolest find ever! Thanks for sharing!!

[@paulkitzhaber164]

It is fairly accepted now that the old ones likely used sheets of mica as a heliograph. That location would have been ideal.

[@ZitherBeast]

Very cool stuff, especially the 3D preservation of the site. Excellent video's.

[@lagh84]

Built right after the great flood? Most of the state was once under water.

[@judsonindustries8044]

That's a good defensive spot. Vs the weapons you had available.

[@davidventrella791]

Great exploration. Sometimes more questions then answers.

[@phyllisputnam2069]

WOW ❤

[@tomasperez762]

That’s an awesome place, thanks for sharing and for being respectful with the environment and archeological sites!

[@arlenegariepy8957]

It could have been a celestial observatory if crops and water are near by. :)

[@thomaskaiakapu2672]

One of the best preserved archeological find yet. Keep it up! Inspire future archeologists.

[@Outrjs]

The earth goes through cataclysmic events that change an area immediately. It appears to have a lake all around. All it takes is for one part of the earth to open up or a walled damn to break, and all the water gushes free. This planet is wild.

[@paulswarthout9967]

What a cool place! Seems like that would be a perfect area to hike in and camp and spend 3 or 4 days exploring. In the background, it looked like there were other spots that deserved a peek.

[@jerrianderson4867]

OMG!

[@rudeartichoke2567]

Wow so amazing! I loved the drone view!