What Are These Carved Steps Doing In The Desert?

What are these carved steps doing in the desert? What do you think?
Thank you for joining me on this adventure! I really appreciate you watching and subscribing to our small adventure KZbin channel!

[@briandick1248]

I’ve lived in southern Utah for a long time and have covered a lot of the same areas you have. These steps pre-date cattle being in the area and were actually made by ranchers to move their sheep to water. There were WAY more sheep in the area before ranchers switched to cattle for a variety of reasons.

[@CountryB4Party]

I think you are spot on, Brian.

[@markeverson5849]

Thanks for the comment because I wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight wondering about it I thought it was maybe some kind of a tourist attraction in the early days turn the century somebody trying to make some money showing a cave or something or a mine and it was used for carrying out or on foot or leading donkeys around the backs of Indian slaves:-) but you say sheep okay I'll go with it we know that the pressure treated lumber railroad ties or whatever it was isn't that old

[@missingutah]

Railroad ties are treated with creasote... a form of tar, started in the 1800's. Especially with square nails... these are old!

[@YsabetJustYsabet]

Thank you! I kept *wondering* about sheep while watching it, especially when he got to the faint trail; sheep make a much different pattern across the landscape than cattle do. They crowd together so that they bump each other and touch their lambs; lambs go inside the flock and are part of it. With cattle, calves go with their mothers and the animals move with more distance between them-- they make a wider path, much more diffuse, unless people on horseback deliberately herd them into a narrow line of cows.

[@michaeltaylor4984]

Cattle and sheep destroyed the ground. BBison were the best grazers.

[@rocktalk4stonedeaf]

The ranchers built a trail for the cattle like this to get the cows to the high country from the riverbottom ranches in Emery County Utah. It saved the cows several days of walking up the deep canyons to natural walk outs on the ledges.

[@melmcnichols6673]

Depending on this site's location and trails leading into the creek's watershed from below and the possibility of a destination or mineral resource beyond the top of the grade, this might be evidence of a Spanish burro trail route used by traders until the 1890's. Usually Explorers would not have spent time to carve steps and the ramp timbers would not likely survive from the 17th century. This location might reveal more secrets. Although you posted this a year ago, I discovered your channel about a month ago and I encourage you will continue your quiet hikes and scenery.

[@Swingin4Gold]

I agree with Mel McNichols. I think there is way more to this than cattle. Either a very old trade route or some mining in the area. I would love to see what is at the other end of this for sure.

[@grandpagrandmajustkeepgoin4560]

Yea it looks like wagon ruts of some kind, the kind of wagon a burro would pull, that’s the first thing that came to my mind when I saw them…I would go down further into the trees and see what’s down there, but only with another person cause that kind of looked spooky! LOL 👻👻

[@juaerez69]

Fascinating stuff! Keep up the great exploration work.

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice video. Thank you for sharing and wishing you a wonderful day

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you so much for watching! :-)

[@waderogers]

From what I can tell, square head nails were made and widely used until 1890, so that wood structure probably dates now later than that. Sure looks old, given the weathering of the wood!

[@zmb5126]

you deserve way more subscribers! love your videos

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Thank you so much! Your comment makes me feel more inspired to keep producing videos!!

[@Mountlougallops]

So cool. I could spend all day or several days in most of your adventures.

[@fernandochavez4312]

This is a great video. Ruins and evidence of peoples existence in a non hospitable place is always fascinating. Thanks

[@k.a.davison9897]

The only word that comes to mind is "weird." The work to carve out the steps, I just can't imagine the difficulty and time involved. Years? If I were you I would not be satisfied with just concluding this was for a herd of cattle. I would explore further. Is there a history of ranching in the area? Who owned the land? I think you've got a puzzle here, and even though it may not be anything of great consequence I would have to satisfy my own curiosity. Have you gone back? Do you have any more video? Now you've got me wanting to know more.

[@alenahawke475]

Weird is appropriate.

[@MLATX512]

I would have liked to see you go further down into the arroyo. I'm certainly no expert, but the parallel tracks in the rock made me think primitive mining cart. Would love to know what's at the bottom!

[@oldtrucker672]

Nice presentation. Thanks.

[@HepCatJack]

My first thought when I saw the "cattle ramp" was that it was a kind of sled to carry goods up the cliff. I don't know if they had snow fall in this area but if they did it would provide enough lubrication for it to slide on the hill.

[@farmerbill6855]

The first cow to poop on that slick rock would render that impassable. Next theory please.

[@Caddowolf]

Probably for horses, mules and humans, but cows don't like that kind of stuff. There is probably an old mine down there or something. There was a very good reason why this thing was made. You don't do that much work without a very good reason. I like your videos. I wish I could do what you do. I was an Archaeologist when I was young and not disabled. I did similar things then.

[@sevenirises]

I would say cattle trail too if not for the large circle carved in the rock. Leads me to believe it's something much older. I found your video fasciating!

[@summerolson6394]

So cool!

[@The_Lost_Alaskan78]

Old miners, cattle, carts and steps for the animals to get traction on the slick rock

[@causewaykayak]

In north wales these sort of long shallow stair treads are pack horse routes over difficult steep bouldery ground.

[@jayluber5971]

No way someone carved those steps for cattle. I bet there is something of interest at the bottom. A mine maybe?????

[@TheTrekPlanner]

Yeah, I'm not 100% sold on the cattle steps idea, but it's just so random that I don't know what else it would be for. Maybe there is a mine at the bottom! The trees and brush looked way too thick and I didn't really have too much time, but I'd love to go explore more down there and see!

[@robertodebeers2551]

I'd guess water. A spring, probably.

[@hendriklubbe]

I get the impression the track was made to give more traction to a person pushing a wheelbarrow or pulling a trolley. I concur with a mine or perhaps somebody found something and removed it years ago??!!

[@stanstenson8168]

Has to be, I think that round thing at the top is an arrastra.

[@taylorgall9516]

For sheep pre cattle

[@jameyairmail]

Very cool.

[@ThomasSmith-os4zc]

Cows ain't going up that latter.

[@karendavis7988]

Thank you!!❤

[@wmcbarker4155]

thumbs up!!!

[@user-xs2mw5nz9k]

AW SNAP ! A MINI MACHU PICHU WOW ! TRIPLE WOW ! ! !

[@Emy53]

I agree, those steps were not carved for cattle or any animals. They were carved for the people to be able to carry supplies into that area or there just might be hidden caves used for shelter and safety.

[@MLATX512]

Also, all these comments on a year old video is a good sign your channel is taking off! WTG!

[@nosillalaluna7078]

Damn ! You found our fire ring we dance around naked on the full moon in ....better not say more ,don't need any looky loos ,crashing the party ! Heeheehahahoho

[@gordonmitchell729]

Fascinating! That’s a lot of work for someone?

[@mm5478]

Great video. Thanks for the efforts.

[@markberryhill2715]

What would you have done if the creature from the black lagoon would have jumped out of the pond when you threw the rock in there?

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Brown trouser time 😜

[@crboy54]

I was there the other day. And then we ran into one of the old Cowboys that runs that range. He explained who it was and when it was done. Cowboys providing a drink for their cows down in the draw. Chase down an old cowboy and ask him and you will know too!

[@hendriklubbe]

I get the impression the track was made to give more traction to a person pushing a wheelbarrow or pulling a trolley. I concur with a mine or perhaps somebody found something and removed it years ago??!! Cattle, no, I don't think so.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Me too, Jeff needs to return to this site and do a thorough survey of the area. For safety, he should go with a companion.

[@MorganBrown]

Mining is my guess. Tracks and steps for mule trains.

[@Nvalleyguy47]

I have no idea where you were at, but if you were south of Capitol reef toward Lake Powell, it could be the old Mormon trail. Maybe Hole in the Rock???

[@bobross4237]

It looks to me like the round rocks inside the round recess would be water worn, was there a source close by where these came from or were they packed in from some distance away?

[@MLATX512]

Agree, and the circle around it would be to route rainwater from pooling under the fire I would guess. Those would be the perfect rocks to put in the bottom of a sleeping back on a cold winter night.

[@iguanaamphibioustruck7352]

Imagine a world where there is a lot of water that changes level often. Maybe not every year but every 10 years or even every 50 years. It is fresh water and along with the environment on earth it is the major factor for life on our planet. Steps to a higher elevation may be the route to survival.

[@elizabethannekeith]

I wanted to see where the water was coming from, down below? a spring?

[@Gregknows-uj8gg]

Odd stuff. I am curious about the ring of rocks with a well worn trail around it.

[@nick-un9pk]

I'm not going to say anything... But I will put it in the description.

[@tomevans4402]

Interesting

[@ericclark3996]

The discoloration in the circle could be from fire, and the indentation around it could have been made from generations of dancing arond it. Maybe.

[@grandpagrandmajustkeepgoin4560]

That’s what I thought when I saw it…

[@michaeltaylor4984]

Or from the blood of their captured enemies, spilled in a sacrifice.

[@briansouthworth737]

I'm really querious. Without precisely where this is located. Can you tell me the general area, I'd like to research what you found. Or perhaps another viewer might know. ?

[@baddogma]

Those are wire nails around the turn of the last century. Square nails are hand forged. Cool

[@davepowell7168]

Not always ,l have square nails which were mass produced by machine made around 1950 l guess

[@matt4sure364]

Dont quote me on this, but i think the steps are for walking up and down on.😅

[@braddeal6445]

I bet the steps were built to a water source that was used frequently by the Ancient Indians. Carrying water up that grade would be hard work that would justify the investment in those steps. Later they were reused by the ranchers

[@lars277]

The Nephites lived in that area years ago.

[@tttyuhbbb9823]

Reminds me of Petra, JORDAN...

[@richardcallihan9746]

That was strange. Looks like a processing site for something, food, or ore?

[@franzwaltenspuhl8892]

The circle lined with rocks looks like a turtle to me. There are many Native American turtle clans.

[@jazzrat2000]

I have my doubts as to whether you could get a cow to walk up that.

[@benbaggen2375]

A ramp for cattle....the ramp that starts a foot of the ground?😂

[@godsmonster224]

Well my guess it is very ancient. Water is worth more than gold in the desert so i think thats why they put stairs in!!??

[@alienallen2983]

👍🙏>>>💚

[@IndridCool54]

Wow, the labor involved to run cattle where cattle have no place.

[@mrhale007]

It's probably a mine, and the circle was an arrastras

[@mercedithcompala8148]

Strange, maybe for mules😮

[@samanthab1923]

What do they lead to?

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Good question.

[@edwardclark3980]

I think catle would of made a more noticable trail.

[@snowmiaow]

Is there nothing you can wear so you don't have to hold the phone the entire time?

[@godsmonster224]

I think the stone stairs are ancient the wood ones 100 to 200 years

[@KayInMaine]

that's my thought too. It was for humans to get to the top where that round stone structure is located.

[@Dextergone]

Indians walked in straight line, heal to toe. It’s much more economical very small steps in a line.

[@josephmankins2869]

Looks like road Mormons made to get wagons over comb ridge

[@Mr05Chuck]

There was a road you should drive

[@stankygeorge]

The carved steps were more than 100 years old, and they were not made for cows, the wood ramp was probably made for cows.

[@rchristie5401]

Doesnt look like a place anyone would raise cattle in!

[@jimnorthland2903]

Round depression may be an arrastra?

[@WisGuy4]

Agreed- that’s very likely what it was. This was a mining operation.

[@stanstenson8168]

@@WisGuy4 Same thing I thought, there has to be a mine down in that bottom somewhere.

[@MLATX512]

I thought so too until I noticed there's no hole in the middle for a post.

[@jimnorthland2903]

@@MLATX512 Yes, That's why I put a question mark in my comment. How would you drag the weights with no center post?

[@MLATX512]

@@jimnorthland2903 it is tough to say how big that circle is. I don't remember if he has any reference points in the shot. Someone else pointed out that the rounded rocks are a completely different kind of rock and would have come from a riverbed. The arrastra idea jibes with what looks like parallel cart tracks in some areas of the hike. I don't know, but it is an intriguing idea.

[@candice7594]

Those rock steps, seem to be, thousands of years old, maybe from the indidginous peoples ?

[@wadeadams4263]

A cladder cattle ladder

[@mikeg.5233]

Simple, to get up the hill easier. No?

[@ianwilkinson4602]

To what in mind though? whatever it is, it must have been important enough to have put so much energy and time into the "steps" and other features.

[@robertmcmanus636]

No need for the disclaimer. I thought this was pretty cool!

[@williehayes1729]

Nope, Apache Smoke signalling pit with stairs going to the place where they stayed. Leave it.

[@lrdnalrd]

aliens. Americans😂

[@gregjohnson6398]

Interesting I’ve tracked modern satellite photos to rediscover the past that many have forgotten but also research old text that few know about or how to find that give insight into things right in front of everyone yet few see. Three things in your video that jump out. 1 the first image is a ceremonial site and the circular grove was worn over time by thousands of feet stepping on it. 2 the steps, these seem old but 3 the modern planking? Doesn’t fit and maybe two cultures overlapped as the ring is definitely much older than modern nails. Research should be done into the first written records of the area. These often predate what most think and these old miners and prospectors cover areas than many today would think no one ever set foot on. I’m in Alaska so most think untouched but shocking to see in these records that modern people covered areas few if any go to this day so lower 48 I’m will to bet many many more have covered these areas and left records behind. I can put you on great resources and try to explain how to navigate them for these old records if you like.

[@RiverBanks38]

Yep! Cattle and horse trail. Depressions of sand so they could get traction, and not wear down their hooves.

[@overdbus]

Almost looks like a gold sluice for washing gravels

[@MonkeeSage]

That's what I was thinking

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Or part of a "trackway?

[@box4859]

Don't ask me, I didn't do it.

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Not hand forged nails

[@phillipbray7494]

I’ve got to ask that in the majority of your videos why are there tracks and tyre marks and you walk. 🤷‍♂️

[@rustydog1236]

Nothing to see here, move along, anything shiny is just fools gold, far as you know, dont bother digging more...

[@tooge47]

sure wish you KIDS would FIRST start with a MAP (do you even know what that IS?) showing WHERE you are ?

[@leonacollins1785]

I think he doesn't want people to know where he goes so that no one will go and damage the ruins that he finds.

[@tooge47]

@@leonacollins1785 then don't show me this, if you think I would damage anything, SMH

[@ericharris197]

Cedar Mesa?

[@enrobhcit]

they lead to the gates of hell or in other words they lead to the democrats head quarters

[@johnmaccallum7935]

I'm late on this one but you were wrong as this episode was very interesting as it showed a piece of history there that doesn't exist anymore.