Geology and history roaming alone in Oregon backcountry

Geology and history roaming alone in Oregon backcountry | Solo Desert Adventure Part 3

Рет қаралды 24,376

Ай бұрын

Third and final episode in the solo desert adventure series, pushing out into a new area of remote Oregon backcountry and seeing where the side roads take me.
Part 1: • Solo Desert Adventure ...
Part 2: • Looking for desert odd...
Part 2½: • Mysterious dead circle...
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Пікірлер: 135

@VideosOffRoad Ай бұрын

Thank you for NOT being yet-another-offroad-youtuber-who-became-an-OnX-Offroad-shill. Noted and appreciated.

@kevinnorwood7355 Ай бұрын

I second this. I hate watching those people who I feel like have a production crew following them around.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

I am probably going to try out OnX to see how it compares to Gaia GPS but I definitely won't be shilling, just in the interest of checking it out myself and providing informative feedback to viewers. 🙂

@samueljlarson Ай бұрын

Unfortunately it seems like the larger KZfaq platforms all become this. I am not interested in watching that and am committed to just being a guy out camping in his truck too.

@VideosOffRoad Ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest Very cool. It's always good to know the options.

@JBlinky67 Ай бұрын

I didn't want it to end. Nobody else captures the pure feeling of just being out exploring, leaving city stuff behind for a while. Always watching on the tv to be immersed as possible. Thanks, Don.

@jeffhildreth9244 Ай бұрын

In spades.... In complete agreement.

@andrewgagner2927 Ай бұрын

If you see Coyote Works out there, let him know we're looking forward to another upload. Thanks for the video, stay well and enjoy your summer.

@chuckrf1502 Ай бұрын

I miss his channel too. 😢

@johnwalker3263 Ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing too! I went to the high desert overland event last year and haven’t seen much from him since. Hope he’s doing okay!

@sagebrushbob2321 Ай бұрын

I think that light, soft rock is called "tuff". It isn't lava as such, like basalt, but more of a falling spray or rain of molten rock that was thrown into the air during a volcanic eruption and fell in little droplets that kind of welded themselves together as they cooled. The Leslie Gulch formations are a good example of this type of rock.

@jayjohnson7827 Ай бұрын

Reminds me of the slag from the smelting process.

@jeffhildreth9244 Ай бұрын

Commonly known as "tufa" by geologists.

@Critt75ih 22 күн бұрын

I was just thinking the same thing!

@jeffhildreth9244 22 күн бұрын

@@Critt75ih Levis Co. Uses tufa to age their "washed" Levis.

@mikeoldham Ай бұрын

Dead end roads are often the best part of exploring. Thanks for sharing another great adventure.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

👋 Hey Mike hope you're doing well these days!

@jaygomesphoto Ай бұрын

"It's really worth doing the exploring if you don't know what you're going to find" Well said!

@BrienWood7.3 Ай бұрын

Loving this desert series Donald!!! Nicely done!! I love how you just get out there and roam......

@duckfan7684 Ай бұрын

I'm Randy, and yes i scribed those dates every year!

@iamgeoffandthisismystory Ай бұрын

Such an enjoyable series again! Have been watching for years now and can appreciate how much effort you put in to bringing this quality content to us. Thank you Donald for being unique and for your dedication, it's much appreciated 🤝🏼

@jonathanrash7286 27 күн бұрын

Donald, your videos are like ASMR -- very soothing.

@The4x4WindowCleaner Ай бұрын

Thanks Donald, for another chilled and interesting adventure! I’ve been enjoying your channel for some years now. I run the “same” Frontier (Navara) truck as you, here in the UK. Have been encouraged watching you DIY your Frontier, to make my own mods to my truck! Thanks

@RVingwithG Ай бұрын

I sure do miss my frontier truck 🛻 I didn’t have the money to rebuild the motor after 509,600 miles😢 I offered the truck to Donald but he never got back to me😮

@marcericdavis Ай бұрын

Nice series. Thanks for sharing.

@arrowheadoverland Ай бұрын

I really enjoy your style of videos. You’re just being you which is why so many people look forward to your videos.

@johndej Ай бұрын

You had a great adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us!

@Baebon6259 Ай бұрын

"air down after confirming that trails will lead to places" is a good tip. Far too many times, I air down and have to air up after about a mile in to find out the big "nope" either from trail difficulty or straight up closed gates.

@louiskudlak2256 Ай бұрын

Spectacular scenery ❤

@denisgauthier3375 Ай бұрын

I truuly enjoy each and every one of your video but on this sunday morning, way up North in canada this one brought me peace and lots of joy. Thanks again for making my morning so enjoyable. Peace ✌️

@thedaywemakeoverland Ай бұрын

Fantastic video! Very nice content. We are looking forward to our return to Oregon in mid-June.

@suzannelegeza1292 Ай бұрын

Wow! What a beautiful video!! 😀 I have been to Oregon driving cross country from Ohio, and drove Oregon's east border to west coast, but was on a time restraint. I came across this by chance scrolling thru random KZfaq videos. I loved watching this, and cannot wait to watch your other vlogs! 🥰 I liked and subscribed immediately! Thank you for sharing! ❤

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

@NorthwestBronco Ай бұрын

Great little home site you found there! Enjoyed the adventure!

@AndrewKumler Ай бұрын

Your film making and editing just keep improving. Nice work and looks like a great adventure. Brewers Blackbird, confirmed.

@daneboro6847 Ай бұрын

Thats some beautiful country your exploring👍

@bro-n-co7810 Ай бұрын

Thats my favorite area so far in Oregon. I go at least once a year. I grew up helping my dad run trap line and hunt coyotes in eastern Oregon. We would stumble upon homesteads, dry lake beds, obsidian, and petroglyphs. My wife driving to burns..."there's nothing out here. Its just flat.." 😂😅

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

After a few days of the truly primitive unmaintained trails, I start getting annoyed by jostling around at 4 mph, but then a year goes by and I hear the desert calling me back out again. 😄

@FramedProductions Ай бұрын

Another great video. I've been off the trails for a bit getting my vehicle back in good order and I can't wait to get back out. Been wanting to get out and explore a lot more in the central and eastern parts of Oregon.

@24Alisonall Ай бұрын

Thanks again, Donald! Enjoyed all of it!!

@jaystewart9947 Ай бұрын

What? It’s already over?! Thanks for sharing sir

@clifford_overland Ай бұрын

Thanks for this Saturday morning video, something to do while I work on healing up.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Hope the recovery keeps going well!

@alanmohn4146 Ай бұрын

Your recent adventures seem a little like mine. There are great views, some wind and lets see what else. Oh yeah more wind.

@PrimalOutdoors Ай бұрын

That was a very interesting and compelling adventure👍 Jason

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Hope you're having a good time wherever you are out there!

@lowellpearson8782 Ай бұрын

I live out here and the wind is normal.

@dlansburg2673 Ай бұрын

Great ending,I need to get out on the trail more, thanks

@gringo3009 Ай бұрын

Great trip, thanks for taking us along.

@Venture2Roam Ай бұрын

Great vid, enjoyed it.

@JakeGoober Ай бұрын

That rock is super porous, it's crazy that just wind, temperature changes, and I am sure some rain iroded it that much!

@calilocal4134 Ай бұрын

Epic!!!

@jeffreyajello6046 Ай бұрын

Great series! I'm envious of the public land you can access and the presentation of your trips let's me feel like I'm there instead of sitting in my kitchen. Keep up the great work!

@mtnbound2764 Ай бұрын

wonderful trip!

@davec9244 Ай бұрын

Thank you for the ride along amazed how green the country is even for spring. Stay safe ALL

@YouTubeTyler Ай бұрын

Love the drone shot of the diagonal road with your truck unzipping it.

@aaronbrandes7456 Ай бұрын

Well done video

@guylandry1422 Ай бұрын

I realy like your video and you are the kind of Man that Everyone want in is life.

@thomasreilly4156 Ай бұрын

I love these old buildings and such. What a cool adventure.

@mikejohnson8822 Ай бұрын

Well done.

@TyMoore95503 Ай бұрын

Donald those "Goblin Rocks" I'm pretty sure those are a Welded Tuff...a massive pyroclastic flow deposit that is so hot...that when it stops moving...it settles and "welds" together. Great find!

@swidahooverlanding2867 Ай бұрын

Another cool day on the trails! Thanks for the video! George.

@AdventureJason_ Ай бұрын

Nice adventure. Enjoyed watching it!

@freerider604 Ай бұрын

Excellent video Don! I could’ve watched another 15 mins - beautiful scenery!

@tomas5376 Ай бұрын

Great trip! There’s sooooooooo much beauty in Oregon!🌲🌲🌲🏔️🏕️🌅

@GunPilot3000 Ай бұрын

Just suggestion, some older aircraft used a piece of string off the nose as a wind and yaw indicator. Attaching some string to your antenna on hood would help knowing wind direction when parking to set up camp. Not sure if its a problem for you. If not disregard. Great series! Its my new Saturday morning cartoons.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

That's a good idea. I mean, usually, if there's enough wind to be a consideration, I can both feel where it's coming from and watch the vegetation, but it's true that in campsites especially, it can swirl around a bit randomly and be hard to judge precisely. I like the idea of having my own personal windsock!

@GunPilot3000 Ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest glad to help.

@campoutwestus Ай бұрын

Another terrific video, I'm amazed at all of the interesting things you found on this adventure. Thanks for sharing!

@pala4833 Ай бұрын

Nice adventure. Tasty haricots verts to round out a good day.

@scottminshall6420 Ай бұрын

Again Donald, great content! I really like the music you put to your videos, keep the great videos coming.

@subjectadventure Ай бұрын

Great story Donald! Your videos are always so inspiring. We'll be out in the high desert Mts next weekend and can't wait. Thank you for sharing!

@johnchedsey1306 Ай бұрын

Not sure why KZfaq recently recommended one of your videos but I'm glad it did. You're exploring parts of Oregon that I am sure I'll never quite venture into!

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Thanks for checking it out!

@DanitaReynolds Ай бұрын

What a wonderful adventure exploring. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed seeing that area and those rocks! You are right, they do look like they could be Utah's Goblin cousins. We spent 5 weeks in the southwest and one of my favorite places (there were many favorite places) to visit was Utah's Goblin Valley. Those rock formations were unbelievable. We wandered around there for a few hours. I felt like a little kid in a Dr. Seuss story.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Thanks Danita! Yeah, Goblin Valley was an absolute highlight of my Utah trip, so much fun.

@donsumpter3379 Ай бұрын

Howdy, from Gilchrist Oregon.

@Oregontrailblazin Ай бұрын

Wagon train roads !

@Scroll_Lock Ай бұрын

Think that probably was Randy coming back all those years and we're seeing arthritis setting into his hands.

@kingofbaja5b Ай бұрын

abi. harika bi adamsın ya vallahi.

@jeffhildreth9244 Ай бұрын

Questions and observations/opinions. Question: Are you concerned about overheated catalytic convertors torching up the landscape ? Observations:.. Have you ever stopped and hiked up one of the seemingly "game trails" ? Opinion: Seems that Oregon has much to offer yet, thankfully, not invaded. Second observation: Of the few expedition style youtube channels, a couple ( your buds) are from Oregon and superb. Yet, your style, your involvement, presentation, ease of transition, mellowocity ( that's my word and I think I'll copy right it) connection with the environment,. exploratory comfort, and conveying that to your viewers with your video skills is (my opinion ) heartfelt and genuine. Add to that educational and inspiring, rolling with the adversity as "normal" if not surprisingly welcomed and with ease, is extraordinary. Thanks for all the great videos. I now live (25 years) in So Oregon (Jacksonville) and previously spent considerable amount to time in remote Calif when I was a dweller/explorer, adventurer with the Monterey Peninsula as my base for 46 years.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

At this time of year, when everything is wet & green (I got literally rained on out here during this trip) there is very little danger of igniting anything. In dryer months, it *is* something I pay attention to...when I stop the truck, I do make sure I'm not sitting over tall dry grasses. My catalytic converter (and the rest of my engine) is all shielded by quarter-inch aluminum skid plates so there's not likely contact to happen there anyway, though the hot exhaust pipe further back could be a concern. I don't hike up game trails just for the sake of following them, but when I do want to hike up or down a steep slope to check something out, I frequently make use of the game trails, figuring those critters have already figured out the best route up/down the hill. 😄 Thanks for the kind words!

@rays3288 Ай бұрын

Have you thought about taking a metal detector with you? Another great video, thank you.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

I think about it each time a viewer suggests it in a comment. 😆 It does seem like it could be interesting, but I haven't found myself quite motivated enough to invest in one. Filming these trips is super time-consuming already...I cover maybe a third of the ground per day a normal person out exploring would be able to cover. Adding an extra activity (and filming that to boot) would slow me down even more...I do think it would be fun but I suspect I wouldn't do it very often, so I struggle to justify the expense. 😄

@jeffhildreth9244 Ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest Start a go fund me.. I'll be there.

@jeepersdelight Ай бұрын

Jase from MD here... Will the real Randy and Robin please stand up?! Would love to know some story this.. A heartbroken guy coming back to a special place... The two of them keeping a tradition alive until something happened in '05?? Aching to know some history on this...would be fascinating Cheers 🍻

@thewiredfox2691 Ай бұрын

Never heard of a Brewers Blackbird, but it might be that or a Grackle. They look similar. Grackles puff up before they call, which that bird seemed to do. Not sure if the BBB does that.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

A few other viewers have confirmed Brewers Blackbird. It's one of the few Oregon birds I remember from my high school biology unit - I used to be able to identify at least 50 of the most common Oregon birds, but I've lost most of that. 😆 Brewers Blackbird is one of the handful that still comes to mind.

@sodaspringskennel Ай бұрын

The dates in October are hunting season. That was probably near their 🏕 camp

@johnpagejr.7628 Ай бұрын

Yes those where Brewers black birds.

@metaglypto Ай бұрын

Agreed. Sometimes those wanderings lead to great discoveries, even when you are 10,000th person to discover it. I discovered Virgin Valley Campground (with a hotspring) wandering lost and looking for a campground. BTW, that strange rock you found, I believe is some sort of botryoidal mineral. Crystal growth patterns create botryoidal crystals, which resemble grapes or bubbles. This sort of thing is sometimes found in agate, and a variety of other minerals. It is formed when crystals collect around a grain of sand or dust, and continue to build up, much like other cracks and holes get filled in with mineral deposits and form crystals, except this grows outward instead of inward.....if that makes sense.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Very interesting. Now that you mention it, that bulbous texture reminds me of the huge agates I used to find in the river behind my house when I was a kid. I never would have connected those with something embedded in igneous rock in the high desert. 😄

@metaglypto Ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest I may be wrong, but I think the botryoidal mineral is deposited through water long after the rock was deposited by volcanic activity. I live in Umatilla, Oregon, and I know a place here that has hollow agates. These agates form in what used to be the gas bubbles in the volcanic rock, coating the interior of the 'bubble' with agate mineral. I suspect this might be a similar process, but take it with a grain of salt.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

@@metaglypto That makes sense. This rock was pretty porous, and I did not find this deposit consistently throughout. I just assumed it must've been molten originally because it looks so much like bubbles. 😄 A few other viewers have made the same assessment as you, I'm sure you're right.

@rudolfyakich6653 Ай бұрын

Better ask Myron Cook how those rocks formed first. Only air down when on sand dunes.

@applegateoutdoorsadventures Ай бұрын

Those bulbous rocks are botryoidal formations. This happens with silicates like chalcedony and a few other minerals like malachite and diopside. You should clean it up by soaking in vinegar or iron out. Maybe you get lucky and there might be something gemmy just under the surface like fire agate or precious opal. Nephrite jade can also be botryoidal.

@jeffhildreth9244 Ай бұрын

Correctamundo... botryoidal... which is also found in the rarest of jades.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Very interesting. I did bring a piece home, I'll take a closer look at it!

@zackdemundo Ай бұрын

Geography-Geology-Anthropolgy

@kelsey809 Ай бұрын

Epic! 🤠👍 🔥🪓

@nickbraun2488 Ай бұрын

That bubbly formation of rock/minerals is called botryoidal. I would be curious to know if the formation is an agate layer or just more of the local rock?

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

Some other viewers have had the same commentary, and mentioned finding similar deposits in the hollows of igneous rock, with the theory that the botryoidal would have formed long after the lava itself. Very interesting. It's so liquid-y looking that I just assumed it must have been molten at one time. 😄

@WATCHMENONTHEWALL00 Ай бұрын

You should take a medal detector with you

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

It does seem like it could be interesting, but I haven't found myself quite motivated enough to invest in one. Filming these trips is super time-consuming already...I cover maybe a third of the ground per day a normal person out exploring would be able to cover. Adding an extra activity (and filming that to boot) would slow me down even more...I _do_ think it would be fun, but I suspect I wouldn't do it very often, so I struggle to justify the expense. 😏

@scottymac5174 Ай бұрын

You need to hook up with George. SW Idaho Overlanding. He has more trails in his memory bank than any living entity who roams out there.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

I know George. 🙂 I watched his channel when he had more subscribers than me. We met up a few years ago ( kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p5ZjfcWgqrOYn2Q.html ) and currently planning to cross paths with him again later this year.

@scottymac5174 Ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest I remember that vid. You, George and Casy. You still had the Subaru. I love George's simple, basic approach to overlanding.

@scanfan Ай бұрын

Nice music editing. Driving shot around 1:30, where was your camera mounted (doesn’t look like through the windshield)? If outside, what kind of mount did you use?

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

I have a cheap spring-clamp GoPro mount, which in that shot I probably clamped onto my bumper somewhere or might've been towards the bottom of my GMRS antenna, I don't quite remember exactly.

@wanderantics2898 Ай бұрын

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT bring the weird bubbly looking rock home with You! We've all seen movies that tell us what would follow 👽🧟☠😱

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

🤣

@SteveB2601 Ай бұрын

You think a 2011 stock F150 5.0 truck could do an adventure like this video?

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

For sure. My Subaru could easily have done everything in this entire trip series. There was nothing terribly gnarly. I would want to have 4WD. I didn't need it most of the time, but you never know what you might stumble on; and if rain hits some of this mud can get pretty treacherous. Also, all-terrain tires. There are a LOT of sharp rocks that stick out of the roadbeds out on the primitive, unmaintained desert trails.

@SteveB2601 Ай бұрын

Thank you for the help. Where I live it’s a little more mud than rocks. But will definitely look into a little more all terrain tire for doing something like what you are doing. Good video

@nathanbailey1593 Ай бұрын

How do you estimate how far you can go with your gas supply?

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

I make rough estimates of how many miles I expect I'll need to drive between access to gas stations, and I calculate worst-case-scenario average gas mileage, and do the math with the amount of fuel I have (21 gallons in the tank when full plus 10 extra gallons in the jerry cans). I try to engineer my routing so I can always get to a gas station without touching the jerry cans. I don't carry them to be able to go further, they are a safety net in case something goes awry...e.g. I get ¾ of the way through a trip leg and there's an unexpected routing issue that means I have to backtrack to the previous gas station, or I get unexpectedly stranded in a snowstorm or some other event that forces me to be out longer or drive further than planned. I've used the extra fuel a few times, but it's rare. The biggest value they provide to me is peace of mind when I see my gas gauge hit the ¼ mark and I'm still a long ways from a gas station. 😄

@tyleryarbrough8975 Ай бұрын

Just what I was going to ask. That looked like a long drive!

@misskc94 Ай бұрын

You think that little barn could have been a place to cut meat up with that table and sink?

@jeffhildreth9244 Ай бұрын

BINGO, my thoughts exactly. We found similar back in the 50s in remote camps in north central Nevada. Tin on a table.. means meat tonight.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

I bet you're right. I imagine that cabin was originally lodging for cowboys to overnight on the range, but has probably since been used by hunters.

@tjernst6488 Ай бұрын

What app do you use to find the roads and trails?

@gilvietor1918 Ай бұрын

Pretty sure he is using Gaia GPS, it works pretty well now.

@garykieser8160 Ай бұрын

I was quite awhile ago but he did a video on his methods for scouting trips from home using a combination of Google maps, Gaia and paper maps.

@softroadingthewest Ай бұрын

I do a lot of scouting on Google maps satellite view, cross referencing with Gaia GPS to confirm public land & motor vehicle route status, but then also just randomly explore when I'm out there if something catches my eye and looks intriguing. The video I made is more about finding campsites specifically, but it's all inter-related: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kLCFlslps7-dfXU.html

@cliffmorgan31 Ай бұрын

Great adventure. Thx bunches for both your time and effort!

@chuckrf1502 Ай бұрын

Bulbous, undulating…I’m gonna need a minute. 😅

@OverlandUnderground Ай бұрын

Have you considered hiring a geologist to work as your full time manservant so he can tell you all about the places you find? Preferably someone with a Morgan Freeman-like narrative voice.