Sidetrack Adventures
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Exploring the Ruins of Cathedral Canyon in Nevada
Located just a few miles outside of Pahrump and about an hour from Las Vegas lies the ruins of what was once Cathedral Canyon, a once awe-inspiring site in the Nevada desert. What was once a dream inspired by a near-death experience however, now lies in ruins.
Cathedral Canyon was created by a man named Roland Wiley, who built the large religious monument on his Hidden Hills Ranch outside of Pahrump. Wiley had once been the District Attorney for Clark County, and even had unsuccessfully run for governor of Nevada. It was after being hospitalized with rabbit fever in the 1960s that he was inspired to build Cathedral Canyon, a cathedral in the desert. The cathedral walls were built by mother nature and the roof was the sky above.
Opening in 1972, at one point Cathedral Canyon had electric lights, plumbing, a sound system for music, and even a 30 foot waterfall. It also featured over a hundred different religious items, from neon painted Virgin Mary statues to quotes by Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein.
After Wiley died in 1994, unfortunately the canyon wasn't well looked after, and was repeatedly vandalized. Now some 30 years later, little is left of what was once said to bring in over 4,000 visitors a year.
Also located at Cathedral Canyon is the grave of Queho. An early 1900s outlaw that terrorized residents near the Colorado River.
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Переглядів: 34 467

Відео

Is This Art? - Visiting Double Negative in the Nevada Desert
Переглядів 42 тис.23 години тому
Outside of Moapa Valley, Nevada, about an hour and a half from Las Vegas, is a piece of land art known as Double Negative. This strange art piece sits atop Mormon Mesa and was created in 1969 by the artist Michael Heizer. Art is subjective, and Double Negative probably tests the limit of what is art. It consists of a trench dug into the earth, that is 30 feet wide, 50 feet deep, and 1500 feet l...
Visiting the Second Largest Meteor Crater in the Country - The Odessa Meteor Crater
Переглядів 153 тис.14 днів тому
The Odessa Meteor Crater gets its name as it is located right outside of Odessa, Texas. It is one of a number of craters in the area that were created due to impacts with a number of meteorites around 63,000 years ago. According to the National Park Service, the Odessa Meteor Crater is one of only two known meteor sites in the country, and the second largest impact crater in the United States. ...
A Trip to Turkey, Texas and Caprock Canyons State Park
Переглядів 42 тис.21 день тому
The town of Turkey sits on the edge of the Llano Estacado in the Texas Panhandle, where the expansive Texas plains end and the Caprock Canyons begin. This small town dates back to the 1890s, and was the home of the King of Western Swing Bob Wills and the site of the first Phillips 66 station in Texas. Walking around Turkey is like stepping back into the 1920s, with most of the town's most promi...
A Journey to Three Corners - Where New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma Meet
Переглядів 210 тис.28 днів тому
Four Corners, where New Mexico meets up with three other states, is a popular tourist destination that gets thousands of visitors a day. On the opposite of the state is the Three Corners Monument, where New Mexico meets up with one less state, and not quite as many tourists visit. In this video we travel to northeastern New Mexico to find where the state meets up with Texas and Oklahoma, stoppi...
The Tragic Tale of Budville and Deadman's Curve on Route 66 in New Mexico
Переглядів 214 тис.Місяць тому
The ghost town of Budville, New Mexico is like a lot of small towns that were bypassed by the interstate. The streets are empty and the businesses are long-closed. The town's real tragedy came in 1967 though. In November 1967, the founder of the town, Bud Rice, and an elderly employee of the Budville Trading Company were murdered in cold blood, just feet away from Route 66. Four years later, th...
The Massacre and War at the Yuma Crossing
Переглядів 68 тис.Місяць тому
The Yuma area was for centuries one of the only safe places to cross the Lower Colorado River. it was also home to the Quechan (Yumans), who were known as skilled and fierce warriors. When the Spanish arrived in the late 1700s, at first the Europeans and the Quechan had good relations. Eventually however, the Quechan tired of being mistreated by the Spanish and rebeled in what came to be known ...
Forgotten and Abandoned Highway 80 Through the California Desert
Переглядів 422 тис.Місяць тому
Historic Highway 80 once ran coast-to-coast, from Savanah, Georgia (later Tybee Island) to San Diego, California, but in California it was bypassed by Interstate 8 in the 1960s. With the coming of the interstate, traffic died on the highway over night. Most of Highway 80 from Holtville to Ocotillo is still drivable, and has been designated as county route S-80, but the towns along the road have...
A Trip to the Abandoned Dos Cabezas Station and The Horse & Rider Pictograph
Переглядів 100 тис.Місяць тому
From 1919 to 1958, Dos Cabezas was a stop on the San Diego and Arizona Railway, also known as the Impossible Railroad. Now, it sits abandoned and mostly forgotten in the Anza Borrego Desert, only accessible by dirt roads. Dos Cabezas was an important stop on the railroad, as it was a source of water before trains entered the desert, or attempted the trip through the mountains and the Carrizo Go...
Visiting the Last Titan II Nuclear Missile Silo
Переглядів 465 тис.2 місяці тому
Just south of Tucson, Arizona in Green Valley is the last remaining missile silo for the Titan II missile, the largest nuclear ICBM ever deployed by the United States. There were once 54 of these silos around the country, with the sole purpose of mutually assured destruction in the event the country was ever attacked by nuclear weapons. Now, this silo and it's command bunker have been turned in...
Exploring the Ruins of Courtland, Arizona
Переглядів 97 тис.2 місяці тому
Located near Tombstone, Courtland is the only ghost town on Arizona's Ghost Town Trail that has no people living it. The town does have plenty of ruins though (and at least on our visit, some cows). The town began in 1908 and quickly reached a population of about 2,000 people. The town would have two newspapers, an ice cream parlor, a movie theater, a Wells Fargo office, and even an auto dealer...
Hidden History Along Route 66's Steepest Section - Crossing Sitgreaves Pass
Переглядів 408 тис.2 місяці тому
Sitgreaves Pass through Arizona's Black Mountains is the steepest section of Route 66, with grades as much as 12%. Due to all of the hairpin curves through the area, it has long been considered one of the most treacherous sections of the road as well, striking fear in the hearts of many an early traveler. Located between Kingman and Oatman, the road predates Route 66 by decades. The first wagon...
Seeing Las Vegas from Arizona via the Lake Mead Mine Roads
Переглядів 89 тис.2 місяці тому
Las Vegas was once part of the Arizona Territory, but now it sits firmly in Nevada. Even though Arizona can no longer lay claim to Nevada's biggest city, there is still one place that you can drive to in Arizona where you can get a glimpse of the Las Vegas Strip, over 20 miles away. In this video we head to the Arizona portion of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and travel into the park's...
The Mystery of the Yuha Church of the Sun
Переглядів 67 тис.3 місяці тому
In the Yuha Desert about 20 miles west of Calexico is the mysterious Yuha Church of the Sun. Everyone who drives Highway 98 between Calexico and Interstate 8 sees it, but no one seems to know the story behind it. There are very few if any answers to be found online. The site has been around for decades, but questions are easier to come by than answers. Was it built by a cult? Is it a religious ...
Looking for the Ruins of La Paz, Arizona - Where the Civil War Came to the Colorado River
Переглядів 130 тис.3 місяці тому
For a short time La Paz was one of the biggest towns in Arizona and was in consideration to be the territorial capital. Now, the town has all but vanished from the face of the earth. All that is left are a few brick walls and mounds of mud. Established in 1862 after gold was found nearby, with an influx of Californians the town quickly grew, and so did the violence. By early 1863 there had been...
The Town That Fell Into the Sea - A Visit to Bayocean, Oregon
Переглядів 341 тис.3 місяці тому
The Town That Fell Into the Sea - A Visit to Bayocean, Oregon
Crossing the Mojave Desert on Cadiz Road - Ghost Towns, Sand Dunes, & Closed Route 66
Переглядів 522 тис.3 місяці тому
Crossing the Mojave Desert on Cadiz Road - Ghost Towns, Sand Dunes, & Closed Route 66
Finding the Pat Garrett Murder Site - The Man Who Killed Billy The Kid
Переглядів 378 тис.3 місяці тому
Finding the Pat Garrett Murder Site - The Man Who Killed Billy The Kid
Pancho Villa's Raid on The United States - Visiting Pancho Villa State Park and Columbus, NM
Переглядів 147 тис.4 місяці тому
Pancho Villa's Raid on The United States - Visiting Pancho Villa State Park and Columbus, NM
The Triangles Near Deming, New Mexico - An Intersection of Two Universes
Переглядів 142 тис.4 місяці тому
The Triangles Near Deming, New Mexico - An Intersection of Two Universes
Searching for The Lost Ship (and dog) of the Desert
Переглядів 201 тис.4 місяці тому
Searching for The Lost Ship (and dog) of the Desert
The Massacre & The Battle at Dragoon Springs Station
Переглядів 676 тис.4 місяці тому
The Massacre & The Battle at Dragoon Springs Station
The Remote Oatman Family Massacre Site and the Story of Olive Oatman
Переглядів 760 тис.5 місяців тому
The Remote Oatman Family Massacre Site and the Story of Olive Oatman
The Rapid Rise and Fall of the Historic Ghost Town of Rhyolite, Nevada
Переглядів 229 тис.5 місяців тому
The Rapid Rise and Fall of the Historic Ghost Town of Rhyolite, Nevada
The Mysterious Circle of Evelyn, California
Переглядів 305 тис.5 місяців тому
The Mysterious Circle of Evelyn, California
Exploring Abandoned Desert Center, California
Переглядів 238 тис.5 місяців тому
Exploring Abandoned Desert Center, California
The Century-old Campo Creek Viaduct on Historic Highway 94
Переглядів 65 тис.6 місяців тому
The Century-old Campo Creek Viaduct on Historic Highway 94
A Journey to the Colorado River Ghost Town of Picacho, California
Переглядів 170 тис.6 місяців тому
A Journey to the Colorado River Ghost Town of Picacho, California
Exploring The Appian Way - Ancient Rome's First Highway
Переглядів 397 тис.6 місяців тому
Exploring The Appian Way - Ancient Rome's First Highway
A Journey to Pumpkin Rock
Переглядів 29 тис.6 місяців тому
A Journey to Pumpkin Rock

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @IEchuckie
    @IEchuckie 6 годин тому

    I worked with a guy last name Keyhoe. He was a piece of poop. Probably related.

  • @DebraWeite
    @DebraWeite 6 годин тому

    Used to go out there in the 80s when it was pretty. Sad people had to ruin it for no reason. Lame.

  • @tzadik36
    @tzadik36 6 годин тому

    Thank you for this video! The investment of time and effort might have helped the Divine in its many human manifestations with the setting up of a care home, soup kitchen etc. A different view, with the Self of all selves as the only Self.

  • @3338MAN
    @3338MAN 6 годин тому

    There are a lot of bodies buried in New Mexico and I am not referring to cemeteries and NA burial grounds. One of, if not THE, creepiest states in the nation. A very odd place.

  • @mikeflohr4043
    @mikeflohr4043 6 годин тому

    Most young humans today have no respect for property or historical items, and their values. Nor the religious items at this site. They will get there turn on their judgment day. Just like those idiots who destroyed ancient rock formations and dumping trash in the ocean. Our future is not bright. God bless everyone who agrees with me.

  • @jeffmyers7062
    @jeffmyers7062 7 годин тому

    Nice one!

  • @tommccandless916
    @tommccandless916 7 годин тому

    As a displaced native of the US deserts, I can still return to my homeland because of your travels that you share with us. Bless you and your family.

  • @SunnyWu
    @SunnyWu 7 годин тому

    Wow 115℉... I'm surprised anyone is even outside. 😂 I'm a nature photographer, and I wouldn't go out in heat like that.

  • @alphawoolf5981
    @alphawoolf5981 7 годин тому

    How sad. With minimal upkeep this could still work :/

  • @Miridafeo
    @Miridafeo 7 годин тому

    Another great adventure Steve. Thank you

  • @valeriegoode9762
    @valeriegoode9762 7 годин тому

    Thank you for sharing.

  • @japbikesrule
    @japbikesrule 7 годин тому

    Cool story bro 👍

  • @dezwilliamson8647
    @dezwilliamson8647 7 годин тому

    Is it possible that this guy was a corrupt DA and the dream was his conscience telling him to build this cathedral?

  • @jonathanpasch6604
    @jonathanpasch6604 7 годин тому

    I think every town in America has a "Dead Man's Curve"

  • @DouglasRichardson-er4ky
    @DouglasRichardson-er4ky 7 годин тому

    ... NOT... art. Human flotsam made to look like jetsam

  • @mukfay
    @mukfay 7 годин тому

    When are you gonna do Area51 Steve? 🙂 Keep up the good work!

  • @andreajohnson1796
    @andreajohnson1796 7 годин тому

    Be nice if it was restored? Thanks for sharing

  • @MrSouthwestplumber
    @MrSouthwestplumber 7 годин тому

    went there in the 90s it was beautiful. and thats not his grave he and the sheriff of Vegas buried his bones in a unmarked grave

  • @travelingman21000
    @travelingman21000 7 годин тому

    This adventure is going on my bucket list, nice to know about these little known place, keep up the great work!

  • @seatedliberty
    @seatedliberty 8 годин тому

    I was going to try and come up with a more eloquent condemnation of the desecration of a once beautiful and interesting location, but I think what best sums it up is: far too many people aren't worth the contents of a 20 year old outhouse.

  • @ezlv9630
    @ezlv9630 8 годин тому

    Thank you, thank you. Thank you. This is a place. I have visited a few times in the last few years. Thank you for the back story on that. I wish I had visited that 25 years ago when I moved to the Vegas area.

  • @KelmutHool
    @KelmutHool 8 годин тому

    Cemetary is not spelled wrong. The sign is warning of a swedish death metal band ahead.

  • @AzPoolguy
    @AzPoolguy 8 годин тому

    Great video. 👍

  • @andriaduncan5032
    @andriaduncan5032 8 годин тому

    Not art. Road cuts are more artistic, because at least then you can see the "art" that the earth has created, in the layers of rock. This looks like someone wanted to lay pipes, but got de-funded in the middle of it.

  • @TnTMyers2010
    @TnTMyers2010 8 годин тому

    I had the honor of seeing Cathedral Canyon in all it's glory. Either day or night it was beautiful, soft music playing, gentle lights to help along the way and to light up all the statues/stained glass windows that he had in the out coves. He also had benches for people to sit and reflect from. The view from the bridge was pure amazement. I lived in Pahrump from the late 70's to the early 90's. The desert holds many such places. It's a real shame that people feel the need to destruct. I am glad that I got to enjoy it when it was in full glory.

  • @nomercyinc6783
    @nomercyinc6783 8 годин тому

    the most dangerous road on the highway. all highways are roads

  • @ourv9603
    @ourv9603 8 годин тому

    IN FACT, the deserts of the southwest are littered with the remnants of the dreams of many many many people. Dreams which blew away like chicklettes down the gutter. !

  • @jamesnackley5558
    @jamesnackley5558 8 годин тому

    Steve, I’m not sure if anyone’s mentioned it yet, but, the way that waterfall worked was a lot like a fish pond waterfall. There was a pump in the pool below, which pumped water up to the top and it would spill back into the pool from above.

  • @1a1u0g9t4s2u
    @1a1u0g9t4s2u 9 годин тому

    Nice episode. Would be nice for your next episode to be about the ghost town of Nelson. Apparently nearby is the location of Queho's Cave. Thanks for sharing.

  • @TheAsif5182
    @TheAsif5182 9 годин тому

    mmm to be honest ,this time i didnt like it .

  • @brownyes6211
    @brownyes6211 9 годин тому

    Quehoe was defiantly the Last Of The Breed!

  • @rolfmoren6682
    @rolfmoren6682 9 годин тому

    It amazes me there is so much history in around Las Vegas.

  • @ccscomments757
    @ccscomments757 9 годин тому

    Roland Wiley - How could a guy from Avoca, Iowa ever attend GWU? Odd that he was apparently successful. Oh, wait, Avoca was not a far drive away from Templeton, Iowa.. you know, the Rye Whisky maker to supply all of the gangland people in the 20s and 30s? NOW it makes sense that he did so well in Las Vegas. And his odd sensibilities continue in Avoca Iowa with the 'tourist attraction' titled the "Volkswagen Beetle Spider". Look it up.

  • @johnkaper1129
    @johnkaper1129 9 годин тому

    Thank you Steve, another interesting video. I have been around that area off roading and camping and was not aware of Cathedral Canyon and its history. I was aware of the story of the Indian and his life along the Colorado River, it's a nice tribute by Wiley to respectively honor him by providing beautiful resting area. The desert has its own beauty; which is what attracted Wiley to this location. Your video provided another interesting place to visit, it is a shame and criminal that people have to destroy one Man's or Woman's home or dreams. All of the work that he put into his place of peace and comfort destroyed by vandals. Some how we have lost that respect for other people's property.... Thank you Steve, very enjoyable video!

  • @crash9632
    @crash9632 9 годин тому

    Fist I want to say thank you for sharing your videos. I have followed for awhile and love your content. This place looks amazing. And it's so sad people would destroy things like this. The next time I'm in pahrump I will look this up. I was watching one of your videos last night with my brother and I told him you should get a distinct laugh like RVer tv 😅 would be AWESOME. Thanks again.

  • @scottstoddard4996
    @scottstoddard4996 9 годин тому

    Your videos are steadily getting better. Good job!!

  • @davidkulczyk678
    @davidkulczyk678 9 годин тому

    I thought it was a gravel pit

  • @doctorwu1303
    @doctorwu1303 9 годин тому

    Seems like everywhere the Spanish went they caused nothing but trouble, disease, and their heavy handed religious beliefs they rammed down the lives of the natives..

  • @Steve-ow4jt
    @Steve-ow4jt 9 годин тому

    Such an absolutely beautiful place. I can only dare to imagine what it was like in its time. It is just an absolutely disgrace how some, entitled hoodlums, feel the need to destroy a memorial to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Whether you believe or not, doesn't give anyone the privilege of desecrating a cathedral representing the blessed Son of God who gave his life on Calvary for each and every one of us. Thank you Steve for the wonderful tour and the respect you have for such magnificent pieces of history. Will be waiting for next week's amazing adventure. Until then stay safe and God bless. Steve in Oklahoma

  • @mk-jf1ux
    @mk-jf1ux 9 годин тому

    i like concept art, its time to probably let it disolve back into the dessert tho. would much prefer to look at an old rr trestle site. I am Super happySteve did the filming for us down into it and thanks for your great wirks.

  • @garzaalex17
    @garzaalex17 9 годин тому

    I live in the area, Idk if you've covered it in your many years but the International Car Forrest a bit north is alot of fun! would make a great video

  • @richardmcgrew2167
    @richardmcgrew2167 9 годин тому

    It must have looked pretty interesting back in its day.

  • @atribecalledcookies4
    @atribecalledcookies4 9 годин тому

    I remember one night back in the 90's around midnight some friends and I decided we'd drive out to Cathedral Canyon, we drove down the road to place at night and it's desolate, nobody out there, we get out of the car and walk over to a power pole that was set up out there and had a breaker box you tripped and boom, the whole canyon lit up, and at night it was truly something awe inspiring and I was amazed. The suspension bridge lit up, all of the relics and spiritual statues which lined the bottom of the canyon were illuminated. It was so interesting. I'm glad I got to see it when it was pristine.

  • @marionmcintyre4621
    @marionmcintyre4621 10 годин тому

    Very nice, thank you!

  • @Colorado68
    @Colorado68 10 годин тому

    Thank you for this story! No matter the desecration to this site, Jesus still lives and shines through. God prevails.

  • @truebalsamhogs
    @truebalsamhogs 10 годин тому

    Thanks. As always, well done.

  • @VickieHisBeloved
    @VickieHisBeloved 10 годин тому

    Actually y my sister and her husband were the caretakers of cathedral canyon in rhe 1980s. People were destroying its beauty even then . 🥲…..❤️

  • @Jon.......
    @Jon....... 10 годин тому

    02:51 | Wow! I didn't believe your statement, but Google maps shows the distance from the North end of the bridge to the city limits is ~ 900'. Those are some strange city boundaries!

  • @cdd4248
    @cdd4248 10 годин тому

    How many times do you think you have said, "out in the middle of no where"! LOL!

  • @SagresSagres
    @SagresSagres 10 годин тому

    I'm from Brazil and I love your stories. Come visit us one day. Discover Rio de Janeiro, Teresópolis, Ouro Preto, Belo Horizonte, Vitória and Bahia. Thanks for the videos and stories

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures 6 годин тому

      I'd love to. Maybe next year. I have never been to South America and want to go.