Climbing To The Mine That Changed Cars Forever

In this video, I take a beautiful trek to a mine that once produced a mineral that they called "more rare than gold!" It was a mineral that was only commercially mined in this location in the entire world, yet it was responsible for somethign that is part of our everyday lives.

I love going on hikes like this and hope you enjoy this trek!

Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545

THANK YOU!

[bobkidgib]

Hey neighbor, I'm Bob I have lived in Searles valley for the last 45 years and I have been following your videos ever since you bought Cero Gordo. I remember when it came up for sale and a friend said I should buy the mine. Needless to say it was a little outside my price range, and I am glad to see someone with vision like you end up with it. So much of our history in the area has been neglected, vandalized, or forgotten. I use to go all over exploring the mountains, mines and ghost towns but time has caught up with me and I no longer am capable of hiking like I use to. I am really impressed with this video, this is an area I have never explored and as with all of your videos I found it interesting and educational. I hope to some day to make it up to Cero Gordo some day to meet you soon. Thanks for posting this and all your videos I do in joy them. Good Health and keep up the great work.

[davidgekler]

Dang brother, you are reliving my childhood. I stayed in that Managers house around 1969, or 70. My dad, with the mining degree, called that mine the "Catacombs" and that's how I remember that mining system. Those Inyo mountains are full of minerals!

[tashav]

Thanks for taking us along, Brent! Beautiful place. Huge thanks to the volunteers keeping the museum and history alive.

[networkg]

The Mine changed History and Brent kept the story alive and shared it with the rest of us! Thank you so much.

[jeremiefaucher-goulet]

You know what truly struck me from that video? How good you've become at editing and producing them. I got caught up in details such as how we can hear you walk, even from afar from those magnificent drone shots. The music and atmosphere you create that is on point. Even the intro that was perfect to start this journey you took us along with.

It was magnficient.

[tylerblevins]

I love this place. I used to visite it once or twice a year 1999-2003. Every time we went up we would repair fix or paint things to keep it nice for every one to enjoy.

[sadie]

I'm an underground hard rock gold miner. The minerals we mine are in all the tech that people use today. People don't stop to think about the us working thousands of feet underground, to provide for our families, and to also provide the world with precious metals that make everything go. As technology advances, so does the demand. Breaking rock is one of the coolest jobs I've ever done. Been at it for almost 20 years now. We play with explosives and put our health and lives on the line every day just to get these minerals. Wouldn't have it any other way.

[wheels]

It's great that people leave the museum in tact so that others can enjoy. I was always taught to leave things for other's enjoyment with their families.

[donnybrookinhooligan]

We were there in 2009, my wife and her parents along with our 3 young sons. We stayed a week in absolute peace, the only thing we left were supplies and notes in the log books (and the beginnings of some outdoor art). Its a special place to our family, please appreciate the folks that have kept it alive for so many years.

[thomas-ioh]

Congrats to the people that are helping to preserve this little town !! They are doing a wonderful job !!!

[OldYellowCab]

Almost 100 years later, my old Model A Fords still have Champion spark plugs in them. Beautiful scenery and a fascinating story. Keep up the amazing work Brent!!

[caitlyanna]

Thank you for visiting that mine. In the article you showed at 2:16 my great-grandfather, George W. Clarkson is mentioned. He was the superintendent of the Champion Spark Plug Mine for the last 10 years of its operation. Sillimanite was also used for sanitary ware, like bowls used in hospitals or dentist's offices. I will never make it to the mine as I physically cannot do the hike so it was nice to see you walking where my great-grandfather once walked. If you want to see what Grandpa George looked like, he is the man on the right, in the black and white portrait, of the mural painted on the north side of Amigos in Bishop.

[noamincanda]

This reminds me so much of Hedley, BC! Mines on the cliffside, cavern like stopes. Legendary.

[desertdog]

After graduating from college my wife and I moved to the east side 40 years ago and we still live there. Prior to the fire at the upper level, there was a huge cook stove. I will look for some of our pictures. There as a out house on the edge of a cliff. There was nothing below. My wife would not sit on the throne because it was about 200' feet down. She refused to go until we got back to the lower camp. I sat on the throne looking down between my legs and yelled Bombs Away!

[ScottFerreira]

Wow! That lower camp looks amazing. So cool to see something like this. Glad it's a hike to get there as that probably protects it a bit. Just so impressed at how well maintained it is. Shoutout to anyone helping maintain things like this for future generations to enjoy!!

The art is hilarious.

Beautiful views! Thank you for taking us along on this adventure 🙏

[johnhughes]

Thanks Brent, as a young man 10 or 11 my dad worked for UCSB Geology Dept. We were able to drive just shy of the lower camp. We toured the mine with geology students for a quite a few years. I was surprised to see how the roads have deteriorated over the years. I was pleased to see that the lower camp is still in good shape. I follow you in your endeavors to rebuild Cerro Gordo mining district and hope to visit some day soon. Best wishes and be safe in your mine explorations.

[RK-fmfw]

I know you get thousands of comments but this old man from Michigan just wanted to thank you so very much and all involved for these videos. I may never get out that way so I appreciate more than you will ever know. So a million Thank You's to you and all and please stay safe out there and wish you all the best. Happy trails 👣

[CruizinWithTheCarsons]

Brent, man oh man, you leave me speechless sometimes. I have a small gold claim outside of Oatman, Arizona. I will never forget the first 2 years I spent studying the geology of the area, putting thousands of miles on my side by side exploring, digging deep into the mining documents and history of all that went into the mining era back then, and I discovered something that to me was bigger than gold itself. It is the romance of almost wishing we could step back into time for a day and live what they lived, to experience all of the sweat and blood and sacrifice that came with a very special time in history. It's a love story in and of itself. Your preservation, passion, love, craft and thirst for knowledge is such a refreshing thing to behold. Thank you for bringing us along all of your journey's. Simply outstanding, sir.

[MadTurt]

Brents knowledge and prior study to the areas makes these exploration videos that much better. Its not just watching someone wonder, its like having insights from a tour guide. Love these Brent!

[teepeeX]

@ 25.50 a perfect picture . Of you sitting in opening of the cave, definitely print worthy 😊 thx once again for taking us along 😊