One Man Castle Built Under Massive Boulders

[@salvadorpatino6248]

The summer of 2006 I was part of a crew that rehabilitated this structure. After decades of abandonment, the stone walls were starting to fall apart, and the pack rats had made nests almost everywhere, so Joshua Tree NP hired our crew to do some preservation work. We were based out of Tumacacori National Historical Park in Southern AZ, and our leader Dave was one of the leading experts of preservation of structures in the Southwest. The newer cement-based mortar you saw is our work. And I hate to confess this, but those sun glasses might mine, I vaguely remember breaking my safety glasses. Working on that "cabin" is one of my great experiences. We had to hike in with all of our tools and gear in the middle of summer (we were a seasonal crew made up by mostly college-aged guys on summer break), our leader and one of the other full-time NPS employees in our crew flew in on a tiny helicopter from Indio, and brought the cement and water for mixing with them (although we still had to bring the water for our own consumption). The job took a couple days of work, so we had to camp out next to the cabin. I remember the temperature dropping quite a bit and it being extremely windy. But the sky was amazing, and you could see all the flights going into LAX. Thank you for sharing this, it brought back a lot of great memories, and it is great to see that it still looks almost exactly like we left it (with the pack rats reclaiming it a bit).

[@NotOnDrugs]

that's awesome. if you still do this, you need to take videos of it in progress. *i'm jealous!*

[@bobzepie]

Thank you for sharing your story. That was a genuinely fantastic read.

[@Mikesonbikes]

Thanks for the hitch!

[@Doingstuff.since76]

So cool to watch this and part of the crew that restored it. Awesome!

[@KadoMason11]

That’s awesome dude.

[@southerncross3638]

I'm 87 yrs old, you take me to places I can't get to anymore. Thnx 😊

[@nickmad887]

southerncross same here 73 and bad heart Love watching him.

[@KeepMeATec]

@@nickmad887I wish you a long, happy life my friend. This hit of green is for you

[@jestintime6065]

Hope everyone is doing well, peace.

[@victoriagreyh1463]

Yeah, thanks for the video. I grew up in this environment and as early as 9 years old I was climbing those boulders every single day starting early in the morning. How my parents allowed me to do that, I can't figure but they did and I did. the key was to know every foot hold in each boulder as you climb and to know every hand grip on the boulder. I didn't have one single item of rope or anything to protect from a fall. Also, we raced desert tortoises in the races and I raised them. I taught them to kiss and to allow a head pat. the boulders were the same size and the area was exact. It was Joshua Tree National Monument out in the middle of the Mojave Desert. We had about 4 Neighbours. So, great to see the boulders again I'm almost 72 yrs. now. All the best- VCG

[@BustyNCrusty]

Pretty neat you recognize the actual area. Sounds like an interesting childhood.

[@Budgetbeerdrinker76]

I grew up in the same area we use to do a lot of climbing around too.The good old days I’m still living here a lot has changed

[@BustyNCrusty]

@@Budgetbeerdrinker76 does it get boring living in the middle of the desert?

[@jkirch523]

Bless you good sir.

[@inhaletime]

THAT SHITS ALL BULLDOZERED OVER AND PISSED AN SHITON NOW. METHHOUSE $500,000 . LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE WENT TO BIGLOTS AND BOUGHT IT OUT. AIRBNB SHITHOLE.

[@DSC800]

I bet that cabin is somewhat temperature controlled being built under the massive boulder. Probably a little cooler than your average brick and mortar type. Smart miner, hope he struck it big.

[@Thelegend-gt5lb]

Cold at night, hot in the day, the big rock kept it warm a bit

[@robertmcdonald9280]

72 degrees.

[@Jimothy-723]

terible terible terible idea. dude didnt even support the structure. this is death.

[@ada-yw1bb]

​@john doe : I don't know, seems like it's held up OK.

[@richardhague552]

@@Jimothy-723 It's still standing 83 years later, clearly, no death...

[@dynajay4106]

This is when you take "Living between a rock and a hard place" not just in a literal sense but TO THE MAX!

[@danielbryant1539]

Yeah he really meant it. But he was very well protected.

[@llc1976]

Lol

[@dejablueguitar]

HAHA!!!

[@karenthaler7741]

lol

[@A-Cat-in-Dogtown]

MAAA!! Got me there Bud!! 😄

[@kennethparker2168]

I really appreciate the way he looked at everything put it back right where it was and be so respectful of the original owner

[@gizzyguzzi]

maybe some of that stuff belonged to the original owner. Or not

[@bendover4154]

I live on a ranch near Monument Valley Arizona & not far from my front door is evidence of an ancient Anasazi encampment. (Black & white potyery) Every time it rains, more is uncovered. Not being an archeologist, I'm forced to leave it alone. I admit I've taken hundreds of photos over the years but I at least have the sense to leave everything as-is. I often wonder about the people that lived here long before me. Seeing the same landscape everyday and the same stars at night. I bet they would find it quite funny how I cherish / respect their garbage pile. It's amazing how well the pottery has endured the exposure in the desert and the 1,500-2,000 years It's lasted. Simply pouring water on it to wash off the dirt, the finish is as new. And they did it with nearby clay & fire! Rather amazing. So yeah, I get why he leaves everything exactly as he finds it.

[@CTLive]

I dont… why must he touch everything, its a fugging disease with people, if its not yours DONT TOUCH!!!

[@ringo999999]

And here I was thinking how everything was placed back in a different place and position than where it was picked up seconds ago, not hard to just put it back sorta how you found it, especially if you are using the word "artefact".

[@joeylamp_holder2013]

@@ringo999999 yeah I noticed it too. Im like man i really like this guys discovery and adventurous nature, but he sure doesnt put stuff back "how" he found it.

[@deepwoodguy2]

The ingenuity of the guy that built the cabin was fantastic.. over 300 sq feet of living space, with a roof of giant boulders... i like your broad brimmed hat, very useful in the sun baked desert.. thanks for the explore.. 👍👍

[@bignove5288]

Yeah the old timers were amazing. I really wish I took more interest in helping my grandfather work before he died because he could make anything from nothing

[@sorellman]

Yeah, but he can't deny it now. He does live under a rock.

[@zerofox7347]

I bet that was a tidy cabin when in use, you can tell a lot of effort went in to it.

[@furphyman]

In Coober Pedy, South Australia people who mine Opal still live in houses like this. They're called Dugouts and cut out of Sandstone

[@rcs3030]

I appreciate your respect for this old mining camp. You very carefully inspected the old artifacts and then very carefully placed them back in the same position that you found them in. If everyone would do the same then many years from now young explorers will be enjoying the same camp. A true explorer !

[@Johnketes54]

​@@ringo999999I was going to point that out but probably a bit Pedantic, On the same shelf with care?

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

Why do you have to put it back in the same place. It's just a load of old abandonned junk belonging to nobody. Take what you want, use what you want.

[@fayesheets5509]

I believe that is the coolest abandoned place I've ever seen,thank you!!

[@suemcknight9051]

It boggles the mind…. I’m in awe of the “stuff” those brave, resilient souls were made of. This is what helped to make America the great country it was. Wonder if there is any possible way to figure out who the amazing person was who did all that. Just Incredible. How I hope this place remains untouched…humans have such a propensity for not leaving things as they found them.

[@Topshelf87]

Really cool. I’m shocked it hasn’t been vandalized. Thanks for the vid

[@kevinbrennan2004]

Next level explore my friend. Once in a lifetime find with that cabin. You never disappoint.

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

That turtle was lunch! I bet it was cool in there during a hot Mojave desert day! Thank you for sharing this...cool stuff!

[@AbandonedandForgottenPlaces]

“Gly”: Very nice find! I’m guessing the ammunition can was a geocache? The barrel with the two big iron bands around it is a mercury barrel. Mercury, especially when transported in a barrel of that size is very heavy and to move it around it was rolled on its side on those iron bands. The iron bands also helped maintain the barrel’s structural integrity. The age of that barrel is approximately 1905 - 1920 and many were repurposed throughout the 1920’s and 30’s for many different things.

[@RRaucina]

Mercury is too heavy for a drum like that and the barrel walls too thin. Mercury used very specific cast iron flasks for transport.

[@19eightyforeisnow]

It's part of an ore grinder, or at least a previous post stated that it was.

[@StevenSchoolAlchemy]

The funny looking barrels were for mercury. They were so heavy they had to be rolled. Hence the steel rings around the sides.

[@EternallyThankful-os6pz]

That cabin built like that was extremely cool - thanks for sharing that trip with us !!

[@SprocketWalker]

Really neat adventure! The picture quality is really enjoyable. Thanks for taking us all along with you!

[@jackreed3445]

You need to carry a large mirror to reflect sunlight to look down shafts etc. Thar drum you saw with "rails" around was actually a tumbler for grinding ore. It was probably partially filled with metal rods that rattled around as it rolled thusly busting the rocks.

[@jelloshot]

he could use one of those foldable photography reflectors

[@Redfour5]

I've got two acres of mountain in MT and up at the back of my land are some "diggins." Looks like maybe a couple of guys working a 10 by 10 small pit sometime in the 1960's based upon what I found in terms of trash. I got a couple pieces and a railroad spike sharpened in the garage. It's kind of neat...

[@Rock_K9]

The ingenuity of some people is incredible. Thanks for the tour. I’d love that as an escape spot to hang out in.

[@beaverc2884]

That cabin has to be the coolest thing I have ever seen. Thank you for the video.

[@NaomisAdventures]

That was a cool cabin and neat artifacts. Beautiful place out there

[@lisacarden1309]

How cool is that!!!! Wish we could hear that cabin tell some stories!! I'm so grateful to have your channel pop up on my feed! Thank you for the awesome field trip!!! Can't wait to watch more videos! God Bless You, stay safe, have fun!!! 🙏❤️🙏

[@areaone3813]

Pretty awesome shrine to the man who built and lived there.

[@giuseppe4909]

Watching this really makes me miss my time living in the southwest and all the exploring I used to do ! Thanks for the vid.

[@jackrichards1863]

Amazing shack dude. Thank you for taking me there!

[@123Goldhunter11]

Very cool. Thanks for the tour. Hope you tell people where you are going. A little slip and a broken leg could be a big problem.

[@keithwhittington1322]

I'm a forest person. Deserts are something to drive through to get to the trees on the other side. Desertscapes are beautiful, for sure. I've seen them in bloom and ice. But, I can't handle the heat and dryness. Thanks for sharing. new subscriber

[@bromethiustrilbotbromeldeh6625]

Yeah same.

[@tangomike15]

You can’t beat the night sky that that dry clear air offers you.

[@keithwhittington1322]

@@tangomike15 and spectacular rainbows

[@biggusdickus2166]

i visited tucson in march this year and it was very nice actually. Not too hot and the desert was pretty green that time of year. Im not much of an explorer though, i mostly just flipped rocks looking for scorpions and giant centipedes lol As for tuscon the town- its a bit of a parking lot and a homeowners association hell. Still would visit again

[@coldwaterjimmy7044]

Excellent... Thanks for the really cool video... You were very respectful of the Boulder cabin ...

[@TnTMyers2010]

Awesome video and explore Jerith! That cabin was amazing! And I loved the 2nd natural cave that you found with the 'built in shelves'. Was really hoping you would find some kind of signs that humans had been there and used it. Bummer on the mine itself, but I am sure you will find some more great mines to explore.

[@gramajulietreasureadventur1104]

Just a wonderful life this man must have had in one of the coolest dwellings I've seen in my State. Thanks for sharing!

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

That was really cool! Glad you didn't meet any rattle snakes up there.

[@MrMauiWaui2]

Or Tremors!

[@andyamysarizonaadventures5450]

@@MrMauiWaui2 😂

[@mikemalone9896]

I enjoyed this vid. I will say though, I was holding my breath every step you made into these house and through brush thinking some big ole snake was going to strike out, and you being so far out in the wilderness!

[@doogalloonni]

If you look on the bottom of older Coke bottles, they stamp the location where it was bottled. Nice stuff. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@stlrsfan27]

Awesome find and Awesome video.your work and efforts come through in your video. Keep up the great job. 😎

[@skeeterbug9875]

Thanks!

[@cavecavecavecave5295]

Great video mate. Well done from the UK.

[@ashleyalexander3999]

Thanks for showing us all your adventure!

[@pigoff123]

I still use an egg beater like that one. Got a collection of them. Probably about 8 different ones.

[@lancepeterson5408]

Somebody is gonna take that someday. Its a antique.

[@RaymondReed-f1q]

What are those secret compartments in that huge boulder!? Hammer and chisel my man. A perfect spot to put your keys and a bottle and phone!!

[@denyscpoyner]

That barrel @ 5:54 is a Mercury barrel. The beefy ribs were because Mercury is very heavy. Cool find.

[@fivestarAZ]

So glad I found you. I do much the same here in AZ. Totally get the excitement of the hunt! You do a good job and show respect to all aspects. Best wishes.

[@pbberger2002]

That cabin is just flat out amazing. Extraordinary! Great video. Thank you.

[@teotwaki]

Thanks for the video! That's a pretty scenic canyon. It looks really popular for hikers based on all of the footprints in the sand at 5:18

[@kyote3272]

You seem to amaze me with the artifacts you find good job.

[@monomarino5349]

That was a sweet adventure we went on.

[@gerardosal977SSENDE]

Amigo,esos eran hombres de mucho valor,sin miedo a la Soledad ni al fracaso ,aventureros y decididos ,te felicito excelente aventura , saludos desde Monterrey México

[@BROKEBOYS720]

saludos desde los angeles

[@sgan937]

That was amazing, watching from Australia

[@digdilem]

In London that would be "Bijou fully furnished apartment. £5,000 a month"

[@theapostlesfoundation8749]

Did you notice the mountain lion tracks when you were looking at the discarded vest?

[@jeremydiamond8824]

Thanks as always love your vlogs

[@jeffreywhite4962]

Thank you for taking me on your journey. @ minute 12: 00, the E thing was part of a electric transformer core. and, thank you for the respect you gave to the site.👍👍👍👍👍

[@jamesyoung1167]

Very Cool Hide-Out & Great Journey !

[@normazarr3106]

I Enjoyed & Subbed, I really Dig Exploration! This was Cool! I can't do it anymore, so Thanx for sharing this great footage! NZ., ✌❤🙂☀️🔥🌡🌅

[@mariemorgan7759]

Anyone who can build a shelter in the Mojave, is quite a survivor! Great video, just subscribed. I love the American South West!💕🇺🇸

[@InternetJury]

Huh. Build a shelter in the Mojave? Do you know how many people call the Mojave Desert home?

[@19eightyforeisnow]

It would seem you missed op's intended point.

[@raveneagleye2478]

That was awesome! I really enjoyed seeing and learning about the cabin. Thank you for sharing.😊

[@thenotoriousWhitekong]

Great video! I wasn’t going to comment but after seeing you around the mine shaft I have to. I’m a native Nevadan - explored more than my share of old excavation sites. NEVER, EVER EVER EVER trust the metal grates or ANY shaft covers! They have been out in the elements for decades- they will and DO fail. Again, cool video and thank you.

[@ogadlogadl490]

4:59 More interesting the lone vibrantly colored purple flower, wished we could have gotten a close up of that.

[@cactusjay6844]

I just hope you closed the door when you left the cabin so it could stay in good shape, very nice find!

[@WesternMineDetective]

Yep, sure did! Don't want critters or water, etc to get in there. Thanks for watching!

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

@@WesternMineDetective I think someone had that turtle for lunch! Turtle was a popular dish in California late 1800s into the 1920s. San Francisco restaurants served turtle! Eric Underwood Class of 81 Downey High school CA ✌️

[@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503]

Turtle not tortoise's was a delicacy... just saying ✌️ But to a hungry miner I guess tortoise would taste pretty damn good!

[@casedoumasr656]

Hello wow what an adventure you have really found a hidden GEM the cabin in the rocks .and all the unique rock formations you are so fortunate as well to have so many people tag along to see what you found in the vast 🏜️ aways looking forward to more p.s. Ps trying to look at past videos but hard to do 🏆🤔🇺🇸Take care

[@renefranzen1509]

How much is rent when can I move in

[@koolkat5217]

You need someone to share rent? You have the main bedroom. I'll build an adjacent one!👍

[@stevenphillips3466]

at 6:25 Should have followed that 1 " pipe to its source . Probably it was for a source of water to be brought over ....that would be interesting to see

[@Theshadowmancer]

40 foot rock over that door?! 4 stories tall huh? That door must be 25 feet tall! LMFAO You must be a fisherman! 😂

[@WildernessWondersTV1]

This video is like a love letter to the wanderers, the explorers, and the adventurers

[@kslinaz5668]

What were they mining? I know of a few other places where the boulders the size of a bus, then tumbled down on top of each other, creating large rooms. The whole thing above a creek, with a large slab like a patio. Awesome!!!!

[@emmyashbaugh]

Thanks for the adventure ❤️🙌

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

Awesome! I grew up & spent the first 17 years of my life in the Mojave Desert. I have lived in Hinkley, Barstow & Blythe, CA. Bullhead City Arizona & before moving to Southern Illinois, .. I lived in Needles California. Bullhead City, Blythe & needles get extremely hot in the summertime! I like the beautiful mysterious desert. The desert is unlike any place on Earth! You never know what type of strangeness you may come across? You might Find find a body or, some treasure, a Cryptid, something Supernatural or, maybe even some UFOs? Be careful and be prepared for anyting ,..if you decide to go exploring in the Mojave Desert!👍🇺🇸

[@michellekrueger5122]

My husband agrees with you 100 % the Mojave , beautiful,dangerous, ....full of life...he lived out there 12 years ....looking to go off grid ,and cut a under ground home....

[@ghimmy47]

Best light you can have to look into a tight space is a vehicle mirror, as big as practical. Nothing beats the sun.

[@JohnnyButtons]

It is literally a museum ❤

[@sbdiaries]

Wow such a massive effort 👌 to create this living space under those huge bolders ❤❤❤

[@terryskaggs2024]

I'm just curious why you didn't look in the ammo container?

[@andrewdaley5480]

He's smart that's why. Could of been booby trapped.

[@mttaylor129]

It amazes me that you can get down those steep and craggy rocks!

[@Ed_in_Md]

Nice exploration.

[@sidneyvanzandt2473]

Awesome job, I just finished watching this and commend you for a job well done.. Thank you for leaving it the way you found it, and your respect for it. And for that I respect you… Not to many people like that nowadays.. I look forward to seeing more and more videos from you in the future. And I hope that you always let people or family know when and where you’re going and travel with atleast one if not more people.. Keep up the great work!!!

[@jeffreyyoung4104]

Cool explore dude!

[@JupiterNeptun1579]

Wow amazing, a hard difficult way of living but its unique of seing old stuff. Thanks for showing US

[@peterwilliams9773]

It is great to hear no cussing in the video and great video 👍

[@jamiewallace4413]

The drum at 6:00 is a piece of a make shift trammel I would say, the rings around it are for the barring ride points

[@hermosafieldsforever4782]

Thank you for being so careful and sympathetic to the environment and what was. I had a great time between the age of 12 and 27 walking many many miles through the Mojave back country. Now I take my son with me. He is just as inspired and just as fascinated as you. Smashed the thumb and Sub'd 😊 Thank you. David

[@AmericanMadeAdventures]

Fanstastic video. I enjoyed watching it a lot. Thumb up, subbed, and shared. I can't wait to see more of your content.

[@MPWEST83]

You are living my and my sister's dream. I'm so jealous lol. Thank you so much for posting these videos. Someday I'll be doing the same. If I'm not mistaken, isn't this in JTNP?

[@mikekemsley1531]

That's really cool. I love the desert and old mining sites like this. Thanks for posting.

[@georgescott249]

very nice video

[@lynderherberts2828]

Very good home sweet cave. Really nice find.

[@kennethnovak9102]

Always check the pockets LOL :D

[@gwstubbs7046]

Now that is a very cool cabin. thanks for showing.

[@CarswithNash]

Kinda wanna move in… looks peaceful.

[@docsmallblock6584]

There's a voice that comes through at about 12:27-12:28 somewhere in there, couldn't make out what it said but there was definitely something saying something!!! Had to listen to it a few times, you definitely caught a voice!

[@GRosa250]

That was a really cool cave/cabin. Imagine sleeping in the bed and that massive bolder falls on you. You’d be flat as a piece of paper

[@joelnolan7642]

still better than paying rent

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

great video! thanks for making this. I enjoyed it so much.

[@ArcadeMadeLiveToLaughAndLoveJB]

" Where have you been?, Living under a rock?" " Wellll.. actually.. "

[@PzKpfw04]

Reminds me of many years ago, my friend and I went desert exploring, so we drove out across Johnson Valley until we had to park the truck, and proceeded to hike down a rocky valley. We hiked a great while until the valley below opened up into view, and we spotted small white rectangles at intervals along the desert floor. When we got close enough, we found they were warning posts advising that we were entering the 29 palms Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center bombing range. We dispensed with curiously picking up the metal fragments we had been finding, and headed back up the gorge lol. The strangest thing along the voyage though, was discovering a mine shaft a good bit down the grade, with an old sedan driven in and wedged between the walls. The rear window was smashed as I assume that was the drivers only means of exiting. The trunk was still closed. We considered prying it open, but being that far out in the desert and in its predicament, perhaps there wasn't anything we wanted to discover. We let it be. That was way back around 1990. Wonder what ever became of it...

[@drewconrad7093]

Amazing. Did you sample the black sand on the way back?

[@johnmudd6453]

Yup it tasted good

[@brats6894]

This was fascinating. Thank you for sharing

[@davidbowman2001]

Just found your channel, great stuff. I’ve gotten pretty interested in old mines and caves and stuff, I was curious how you avoid things like rattlesnakes when you’re hiking in areas like this where they’re so well camouflaged? I’ve never been in the desert and I’d love to explore in these places but that would really worry me in the middle of nowhere.

[@_CAT-lg4sr]

Isaac, If you really want to explore, like what you say, then my first step would be to get a "DeLorme" map and an old fashioned compass and learn the principals of compass "orienteering".( Learning about magnetic declination and so-forth). I have them for Southern & Northern California and Oregon. They are basically topographical maps showing all the details you could ever hope for. Mines, caves, springs, trails, highways, roads, etc Well worth the price. You won't be disappointed! I advise EXTREME caution concerning mines. Dug shafts and tunnels can cave in or collapse. I rarely enter them. Be on alert for rattle snakes, green Mojave's are deadly, you can die from them. Generally rattlers will let you know they are there unless you surprise them. Do NOT reach into or onto anything you cannot see. Bring plenty of water, top-up fuel or have extra. If you get stuck out in the remoteness of the desert, cell phones may not work. Have some food and something to keep you warm with you. It gets cold out there, even in the summer. Happy trails and be careful.

[@davidbowman2001]

@@_CAT-lg4sr Thank you! That’s really helpful, I definitely kinda overlooked the map and navigation stuff. I’ve had smartphones and GPS my whole teenage/adult life so that’s a skill I never really learned.

[@marking-time-gardens]

@@davidbowman2001"Turn your waiting room into a classroom" and add some absolutely vital survival skills to the list as well. Even better, find someone very experienced and become their student.

[@mattkaustickomments]

12:22. That cylindrical thing looks like a brass piston-type valve to me, maybe for a water or hydraulic line.

[@rawdawgg_]

Don't tell anyone where this is at. People ruin everything

[@koolkat5217]

Unfortunately you are 100 % correct. ❤

[@penar4987]

Hiked there twice in 06, almost didn’t make it back the first time, well worth the visit.