Looking for the Ruins of Mountain Springs Station & the Old Wagon Roads

"And by discovered, I mean Native Americans who were long aware of the trail told him about it," delivered in a tone as dry as the landscape here. LOL, this is one of the reasons I love your videos Steve.

Knowing a bit about sheep, I’m fairly certain that the rock walls were built to keep the livestock from wandering away at night. They would have guardian dogs in there with them to run off the coyotes.

You have one of the best YouTube channels regarding history and old ruins. Keep up the great work!

My great, great grandfather, joseph Swycaffer, drove the mule mail stagechoach between San Deigo and Yuma, AZ. He most likely stopped at the springs to water the mules. He homesteaded in Ballena, 9 miles out of Ramona towards Julian on the Old Julian Highway.

I feel for those horses. 30% grade is no joke when you're towing a stagecoach. I used to live in the mountains up in Northern California and there was a stage road over the pass with the same setup; a ranch in a meadow on each side of the pass where they would hook up some helper horses, or perhaps oxen. Thanks for sharing your little adventure, and drink a toast to the pioneers.

As a long-time San Diego native, this was so neat to see. I've studied a bit about transportation through that area, and out east toward Yuma. Even driving down that 6% grade with semi-trucks behind me is nerve-wracking...there is a reason for that runaway truck ramp. The old stagecoach routes were crazy, though most travel back then was a major challenge. I've been out to the Carizzo Stage station near Ocotillo many years ago. I love learning more about our local history, and really enjoy your 'boots on the ground' videos so I can explore these places secondhand.

Pretty much lived here my whole life and didn't realise how much history is in the mountains

You always find the coolest places and describe the history so well. Yet another place on my bucket list to visit - but not in the summer.

Moved from the SD area in '79 (my family moved from LA to SD in '54 when I was 2 years old) and used to ride our motorcycles out I-80 past Desert Tower. Can't say how many times I climbed the tower for the desert view but enjoyed it every time. I never knew about the 'wagon trail' but can see why it was called impossible! Great video.... like always!!

Loving your background music rather than the older videos. Calming with a bring ya back mindset music kinda in keeping with your videos history theme.

Back in the bad old days before the ridge route was built the only way to travel from the southland north into the Great Central Valley one had to transverse dozens of canyons to work your way into the valley. Once there, every traveler headed for the Kern river. At the river was a ranch with a kind owner. He always welcomed travelers to stop and pitch a tent. Graze their animals across the road in his field. Bathe in the river & replenish all their water barrels. It didnt take long for this mans kindness was known far & wide. Everyone made a point to stop at his camping field & recoop for the journey ahead. This ranchers name was Baker. And his camping field was known as Bakers Field. !

Loved this video as I own some property at Mountain Springs exit. My grandfather used to run the rock shop at the old water station and saloon. I would love to know more about that area. The spring was grandfathered for us to use. Not the one you showed but there is a smaller one just down the hillside there. It has huge palms but it is now just a seep. We also put in for a historical marker but the rock tower won. They cannot have two historical markers so close to each other so the water filling station and saloon arent mentioned. Knowing that stretch of road there is at least someone that goes over the guardrails about once a month.

That’s pretty cool. Thank you Steve for the videos. I share them with my 91 year old uncle. I think his favorite is Mrs Orcuts driveway.

A terrific video. I did a little research on the Army Officer that "discovered" the trail. Nathaniel Lyon was stationed near San Diego after the Mexican War. Later, in 1861 he led the Union forces at the Battle of Wilsons Creek, Mo. where he was killed.

I really enjoyed the drone footage and how it worked so well to illustrate the history. Great video, thanks Steve!

Nice! Stumbled on this beautiful story of American history. We stood at the exact same spot near the lookout tower when we were passing through on our 2017 holiday in the US. Can't wait for the next visit.

Thank you for the video. Living west of Stockholm we have a "Roadmuseum" where you can see the road built in the late 1900 the 1800 road and the 1700 road built by russian prisoners of war. I can even take a walk on the 1600 road where everything and everyone coming in from the West of sweden had to use. History is facinating.

I driven up that grade on I8 a hundred times and never knew about this. I have seen the signs for Desert Spring but never thought much about it. Good stuff!

excellent tour guide, great equipment, great speaking voice, good knowledge and research, thanks again!

Just found your channel! I'm really enjoying your videos. When I was living in Santee back in the mid 80s I loved taking drives up into the mountains and the deserts. Watching your vids are bringing back memories! Now that I'm retired and in Vegas I have time to come down and explore!