A Brutal 4 Day Hike Into California’s Lost Mining Towns

I'm 80 and live in a rest home but when I was younger I would explore the California desert and woods and it made me just feel good when I was there. Now that I can no longer do that you feel the void for me. I have been watching you from day one and can't wait for your new videos. I had a bad stroke five years ago and it hit hard and my coordination and memory is not what it used to be so I save your videos and they are almost new to me five months from now. This video was totally awesome! I will probably watch it again tomorrow! Thanks so much for sharing your videos with us, Dave

You're not just a youtuber. You're a great videographer and storyteller Brent. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

This is better than a lot of stuff on TV. The geographical location, the history brought to life, the enthusiasm for his subject, great documentary making. Deserves some kind of award. 👍

Brent, I am also 81 years and am still in good shape compared to many others. You chose wisely when you purchased Cerro Gordo and although I picked up on a little uncertainty, a little regret I watched it slowly disappear. You have become one with Cerro Gordo. You have spread the peace and joy you have gained with so many of your viewers. Really loved your trip that ended in that great cabin in Beveridge. Much Love lil bro!!!!

I'm almost lost for words. The content, the cinematography, the narration and the emotion, are just spell binding. No one else delivers this with such enthusiasm, such passion and authenticity. That one person can bring this directly to us without having his story edited and changed by executives and marketing staff, is truly the power of YouTube. Incredible that an individual can tell his story directly to us.

THANKS BRENT. I HIKED INTO BEVERIDGE DECADES AGO. YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB PRODUCING THIS VIDEO. I WISH I COULD STILL DO THESE TYPE OF HIKES….BUT AT AGE 83 IT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. MAKE FULL USE OF TIME….WE’RE ONLY HERE ONCE. GREAT JOB!!!!!

Brent, I am a blind individual just want to say you’re awesome and thank you for taking us that cannot see, and be able to visualize through your eyes things that we would not be able to experience, so you are making a big difference in what you’re doing to a lot of people man love it

One of the nice things about the difficulty of the location, is that it means that less people would be crawling all over those ghost towns taking "souvenirs". Which helps to preserve the locations for future hikers.

Dear Brent - Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this magnificent voyage with us. My age and health would not allow me to make these kind of trips, so my opportunity has passed, but you have given us your spirit of exploration and opened our eyes to these wonderful and exciting places and times in history. This was a hike of a lifetime and I am beyond being able to find the words to express what I felt as you shared each one of these mines, homes, stories, structures and lives with us. Stay Safe. Kindest Regards, Randy in Oro Valley, AZ

My mom would so love your work. She explored the Great Salt Lake, especially the dumps and rail road sites. She wrote a book called The Diggers. She too felt it was important to document the history of the region. Kuddos to your wonderful spirit.

I wish this video went on for 10 more hours. Each of these small spots were so nice to see. The beekeeper's cave, and the minecart still sitting and moving on the tracks. I loved all of it. This seems like the hiking/camping trip of a lifetime.

Pat's set up and the bee keeper's was amazing and got us all imagining what it would be like to be him and to live there among the mountains.

This is one of your best episodes you've made so far. I love the history of California mining, specially in the desert area. Keep it up Brent.

Hey Brent, I spent 40 years in the television industry and I would put your story telling up at the top, and more so because you dream it, then let the story reveal itself while capturing it on the go. The freedom you have simply can't be replicated in a studio system today. On a more personal note, I spent my youth in-between projects in the Sierra, and your visuals bring back very strong emotions that I humbly thank you for.

I'm always amazed at the perseverance and determination of the people who built the mines and the mills back in the day. The labour it would've taken to get all the material into these areas really speaks to the drive and conviction it took to get things done.

I have a 90 yr old father in law living with me, and I'm going to introduce him to your videos. I think he would really enjoy them! This was an excellent episode! Thank you for taking us along with you. I dream of visiting there, but I'm not in the best of health, and my wife isn't into the same kinds of adventures. And... we have 90 yr old inlaws to take care of - one a recent stroke victim.

I understand your ambivalence about sharing these wild places with the internet, but with my physical limitations, this is the only way I could ever experience a place like Beverage. Thank you so much.

I can't express how thankful I am to be able to see these places. 2 back surgeries 13 stomach surgeries and 3 knee surgeries I can say I'd never be able to see these places otherwise. Thank you so much. You are such an amazing author, storyteller, and YouTuber. True hard work and dedication just to share these videos. THANK YOU SO MUCH BRENT.

I always find the equipment left behind as mesmerizing as the view and nature. In fact I’d venture to guess that some of that heavy equipment left behind like that dozer would fire up with some fuel, batteries, and a little tinkering. What a sweet trip though, thanks for taking us along.

Can we take a moment to appreciate how Brent lined up the music perfectly when he had the shimmer on the elevation levels?