Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for checking out the video. If you’re ever in the area, there’s definitely an experience awaiting you at China Ranch. -Eric
Happy New Year. That coyote must have become used to visitors, i saw it at the same spot two weeks ago. I tried their giant date cookie, it hit the spot with coffee. Did not have time for the hike unfortunately. True hidden gem. Thanks for sharing.
@jimmyjones494 They're definitely habituated to human presence, though they seemed to know to keep their distance. I think we saw least 5 roaming through the date orchards. They must love the critters that are attracted to the dates, and the dates themselves. Ah, coffee and date pastries are enough to motivate a return.
There used to be a guy in Tecopa who had a couple of wolves that he would sometimes let out for a run near the ranch. Those would really freak out the visitors!
It's a pretty interesting hub of history, and to see the old rail bed, etc., was pretty mind-blowing. Not to mention the incredible dates / shakes. Do it!
Great find! thanks for the heads up! been decades since I dipped in the hot mineral springs of Tecopa, now I have China Date farm on my list and Tecopa Brewery as well...
Yum! Date shakes sound like the perfect refreshing treat after a hike in the desert. It's interesting that no one knows the real name of the man who started the ranch, and how he mysteriously disappeared. Goes to show the complicated history of Chinese laborers in California and how their contributions have been largely overlooked.
Agree, and definitely a reflection of how "history" gets written. I can't help but think it's a fishy story when the guy who owns the nicest property in that area suddenly "disappears". Hard not to be cynical about what might have happened to him given so much of the history of the settlers in these lands. On a positive note, yes-those date shakes are INCREDIBLE! (...and the dates are pretty darn good, too!) Thanks for the comments!
I live in Amargosa Valley, NV and drink the water from the Amargosa River daily from our 200' well. Lots of mineral content but it is not at all bitter. Our fencing actually uses many of the railroad ties from the old T&T RR. The ties sold cheaply at the local hardware store decades ago. p.s. Perhaps you should look and see how to pronounce "Tonopah" correctly. :P
Looks like you stopped short of the slot canyon trail. We haven't been there for several years so your video was a nice reminder that we need to go back soon.
It would be neat to have you visit the area east of the China Ranch date farm. There is a story in the book, "Loafing Along Death Valley Trails" about some men evading hostile Indians and hiding in a box canyon with a very narrow entrance. I wanted to visit it in 1995 but wasn't equipped properly. I think it is around 35 48 19 N 116 08 46 W on Google Earth. You could also check out the old hotel and opera house in Death Valley Junction. The spot was used in a David Mamet film's climax scene. Cemetery there too.
@@artistic-off-road Thanks. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. If you find an original copy with pictures, the account is the entry right before the picture section. The slot in the canyon is so narrow the riders dismount to get through.
As I recall (I used to work at China Ranch) water for the dates came out of cottonwood creek. There is a small reservoir for catchment of seasonal flow and from there it runs into a drip irregation system.
I’m 66 years old, 5’9, 150 pounds walking around. I take no medications for any thang. I eat 10 or twelve dates every day. They are a superfood. Created by the Lord God I Am.
I'm thinking.🤔 Maybe, just maybe when asked by visiting travelers how was the living out there the Chinese gent replied, ' What you think? It ah foo." 😄
When I was there, it was owned by a guy named Bryan Brown who was born in the area. I hope he's still there. The ranch was named after a Chinese man who worked the farm (no dates) back in the 19th century. Bryan's aunt brought the dates who grew them from some seeds she got and planted around her home.
Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for checking out the video. If you’re ever in the area, there’s definitely an experience awaiting you at China Ranch. -Eric
Spent the night in those caves by Twenty Mule Team / Borax area , it was a full moon and kinda earie really super cool !!!
Happy New Year. That coyote must have become used to visitors, i saw it at the same spot two weeks ago. I tried their giant date cookie, it hit the spot with coffee. Did not have time for the hike unfortunately. True hidden gem. Thanks for sharing.
I had the same experience with a coyote at the same spot at the same time every day!
@jimmyjones494 They're definitely habituated to human presence, though they seemed to know to keep their distance. I think we saw least 5 roaming through the date orchards. They must love the critters that are attracted to the dates, and the dates themselves. Ah, coffee and date pastries are enough to motivate a return.
@@artistic-off-road A welcomed and organic pest control !
There used to be a guy in Tecopa who had a couple of wolves that he would sometimes let out for a run near the ranch. Those would really freak out the visitors!
Wow, I didn't know about the T&T. I go to DV often but never have made it to the date ranch or Tacoma. It's still on my bucket list.
It's a pretty interesting hub of history, and to see the old rail bed, etc., was pretty mind-blowing. Not to mention the incredible dates / shakes. Do it!
Haven't had a date shake in over fifty years but I remember them as delicious even though I'm not terribly fond of plain dates.
Great find! thanks for the heads up! been decades since I dipped in the hot mineral springs of Tecopa, now I have China Date farm on my list and Tecopa Brewery as well...
So worth it. My pleasure!
Yum! Date shakes sound like the perfect refreshing treat after a hike in the desert. It's interesting that no one knows the real name of the man who started the ranch, and how he mysteriously disappeared. Goes to show the complicated history of Chinese laborers in California and how their contributions have been largely overlooked.
Agree, and definitely a reflection of how "history" gets written. I can't help but think it's a fishy story when the guy who owns the nicest property in that area suddenly "disappears". Hard not to be cynical about what might have happened to him given so much of the history of the settlers in these lands. On a positive note, yes-those date shakes are INCREDIBLE! (...and the dates are pretty darn good, too!) Thanks for the comments!
I live in Amargosa Valley, NV and drink the water from the Amargosa River daily from our 200' well. Lots of mineral content but it is not at all bitter.
Our fencing actually uses many of the railroad ties from the old T&T RR. The ties sold cheaply at the local hardware store decades ago.
p.s. Perhaps you should look and see how to pronounce "Tonopah" correctly. :P
Beatty as well.
Up in Veyo Utah the Spanish Trail was run right up HWY 18
Looks like you stopped short of the slot canyon trail. We haven't been there for several years so your video was a nice reminder that we need to go back soon.
I think that trail does an even bigger loop along the river which would be nice to do given more time. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Wonderful video❗Thank You for sharing, I find abandoned ruins interesting. Delighted to know about the China Date Ranch. HAPPY NEW YEAR‼
I have been there twice......Love this place
It would be neat to have you visit the area east of the China Ranch date farm.
There is a story in the book, "Loafing Along Death Valley Trails" about some
men evading hostile Indians and hiding in a box canyon with a very narrow
entrance. I wanted to visit it in 1995 but wasn't equipped properly. I think
it is around 35 48 19 N 116 08 46 W on Google Earth.
You could also check out the old hotel and opera house in Death Valley Junction.
The spot was used in a David Mamet film's climax scene. Cemetery there too.
That sounds like a great adventure, and something I'll look into. Always appreciate getting book suggestions!
@@artistic-off-road Thanks. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. If you find an original copy with pictures, the account is the entry right before the picture section. The slot in the canyon is so narrow the riders dismount to get through.
Nice video. Been there several times. Good dates
Go watch Raiders Of The Lost Ark again. You will recognize China Ranch in the movie.
If it was a saloon, you have to wonder how many coins were dropped and filled between those wooden slats on the floor
Hi Lenae!
Are they pumping groundwater? date palms are surprisingly water intensive
As I recall (I used to work at China Ranch) water for the dates came out of cottonwood creek. There is a small reservoir for catchment of seasonal flow and from there it runs into a drip irregation system.
I’m 66 years old, 5’9, 150 pounds walking around. I take no medications for any thang. I eat 10 or twelve dates every day. They are a superfood. Created by the Lord God I Am.
Amazing and agree. Food is medicine. Keep doing what you're doing!
Misleading title, it's not in DV. I hate when people do this with full knowledge that it's not based in reality simply for engagement.
Great video! BTW it is pronounced Tone ah paw.
I love dates
It's pronounced 'TOE-na-paw'.
Thanks! I used to live in Tecopa and it always drove me nuts when somebody pronounced this wrong.
I'm thinking.🤔 Maybe, just maybe when asked by visiting travelers how was the living out there the Chinese gent replied, ' What you think? It ah foo." 😄
Don't go there in the summer
Is it owned by china? I hope not.
When I was there, it was owned by a guy named Bryan Brown who was born in the area. I hope he's still there. The ranch was named after a Chinese man who worked the farm (no dates) back in the 19th century. Bryan's aunt brought the dates who grew them from some seeds she got and planted around her home.
Bad name
Well, it's better than what they called it for over a hundred years when it was known as The Chinaman's Ranch.