Exploring the Shoemaker Canyon Nuclear Escape Tunnels

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Deep in the San Gabriel Mountains sit two unfinished tunnels leading nowhere.
Written by: Bethany Guerrero
Cinematography and Visual Effects by: C. Drew Unser

CAMERA GEAR AND SETUP (AFFILIATE LINKS!!)

Special Thanks to: AdamTheWoo for the episode topic. Check out his video here:

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

All images and video clips utilized under Educational Fair Use:

Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive, UCLA Library.

Sources:

[RavenswoodProductions]

The tunnels were built using prefabricated parts from tunnels used to build the highway to Alaska during WW II. The numbers you see on the panels were from the "tunnel kit" (for lack of a better term). So the tunnels were built from parts that were sized to allow at least 2 large trucks to pass each other going in opposite directions. As you can see from the *very* sharp turn at the end of tunnel 1, trying to get civilian traffic up that road would be...challenging. And the roof sections were only used where the rock would not be self-supporting. In the tunnels you can also see the use of "shot-crete" to fill in the gaps.

[rocketman]

Thanks for giving us the history and background of the places you visit. It adds to the enjoyment.

[aavmarine]

2:48 right where the green trees are used to be a US Forest Service Fire Station and a 2 bedroom house for the Captain family. I lived in that house in 1977.

[dugroz]

BTW, thanks so much for keeping your videos family friendly and free from any profanity. It's nice to be able to show the kids without having to think about that.

[PaulJMaragni]

The actual third tunnel is once you cross the Bridge to Nowhere. Rock slides, on the north side of the bridge, block the tunnel. If you walk around the hilltop (requires you to descend towards the water and back up on the north side of the hilltop on north side of bridge, you may see a small crawl space in loose rock and this is the third automobile size [Shoemaker] tunnel entrance/exit. Caution: rock slides may close the entrance at any time and there is a known mountain lion that births her cubs in this tunnel in the recent past. Make sure someone knows you’re hiking here and to call rescue if you do not return in time. Please take plenty of water (-1- gallon min per person) as it is 10 miles round-trip, most of it in the sun. Dogs have a hard time getting to the Bridge to Nowhere due to sharp rocks cutting their feet during the hike in. The first 5 miles are uphill.

[mikedavis]

God, now I’m addicted to your so much history in and around L.A.

[kieranwhittemore]

Feels like I'm watching a top notch episode of a Discovery Channel production.

[Pabloworldwide]

I found you two today via recommendations.
How don't you have more subscribers?!
Your videos are so well done and informative.
So many explorer videos can be annoying from the editing to an annoying host, etc.
You two kill it with good Audio/Video quality, good editing, excellent history knowledge of each site and you both work so well together on screen.
I'll share to help get your subs climbing.
Cheers

[cfb]

You guys are awesome! Love your videos. Very professionally done and you make a great couple.

[DEEDEEGARRETT]

I hate when your videos are over. I could watch your channel for hours....Patiently waiting for the next one.Got my notification bell on !

[melissalevalley]

Thankyou for the vids... Im a new sub but after watching a few vids. I live by shoemaker tunnels. Went to explore them.... 🔥🔥🔥🔥 thankyou soo much ...

[scottjohnston]

Just started to watch your videos and I must say they are awesome. Being from Australia it is food to learn about LA landmarks. Keep up the good work and I hope there are more to come

[fargokid]

Wow. Am I missing something? These videos are so professional. Were they suppose to be part of a TV reality series? Maybe they were and I missed it. Good job, you two.

[DovieRuthAuthor]

I've lived in CA for decades but have never even heard of some of the cool places you visit. Thanks for filling us in on the history behind them. Many channels don't.

[enigmaone]

Great episode. Love the abandoned, obscure topics!

[clearwood]

Wow, as always well done and information I had no idea of. Thank you, you two are awesome.

[lwmc]

Thank you - you two for sharing, I will be hiking more this year. I will take my friends to this soon. Happy New Year.

[michaeldougfir]

My family were headquartered in Wrightwood for decades. We tend to feel that the San Gabriel Mountains are ours. We have also worked at the three ski areas near Wrightwood.

So I appreciate all the videos you produce in these mountains.

[yehman]

Like deja vu!!! I grew up hiking the San Gabriels!! Been to most of these spots, but just hadn't remembered. Until your vids!! Thank you. Cannot wait to revisit!

[brillblonde]

What a great episode, from the quotes to the awesome flowers! Love the music, too. It's a "time out" that I needed. Thanks, Oddity Odysseys!!!!