You are correct. The rock walls were meant not only to contain the cattle but also make it easier to drive the cattle up and down the valleys to meet up with larger herds. That is why they are so long. If you look at where they all are they lead to the main cattle driving trails of the era.
You were on Stile ranch trail off Mckean rd.. I know of a few more offtrail in those hills. I was a botanist for a few Open space orgs, so I got to go all over those lands.
Good reminder that I need to get back into hiking. So many great trails all around the bay. You should check out new idria some time. I havent been for years so it might be more restricted now but was neat to walk around at the time.
I went out to New Idria in January '23, the road was closed, and locals told me the townsite is fenced off. It's a shame, I was there 30 years ago, and found it fascinating.
Ive been to Hadrian's Wall and Stonehenge (and Carhenge in Alliance NE, and Mini Henge in Rollo MO), so I'm fully onboard with looking at rock walls. Another banger, well done!
The walls are located all over the hills around the Bay, not just the East Bay but North above Vallejo. Lived in Fairfield for 30 years and hiked up to them a number of times. The damn things don't make much sense. If it was for livestock control they are very poorly designed. Another weird Bay Area mystery.
I like those vultures cruising around in the background. Sign of a healthy ecosystem. This place reminds me of Chino Hills State Park here in Southern California. An island of solitude and native vegetation and wildlife amid millions of humans. Bordered on all four sides by freeways. But far enough from all of them that you can hear big backs of coyotes that have roamed those hills for millennia. The wall looks recent. If it'd been there for long time, soil would have settled amid the rocks and plants would be growing out of the cracks.
The comments are correct. According to my late mother, who in her late teens and early 20s helped drive the Zumwalt (and other's) cattle from Altaville/Angels into the summer ranges of Folger Peak and Highland Lakes (late 19 teens to the middle of the '1920s), knew the Tryons, Raggios, and Carleys of Calaveras County. Former railroad workers, many of whom were Chinese, Irish and Slavic took to the fields to 1) Clear the field stones - not just for cattle but for the safety of the horses of the ranchers, 2) Demarkation lines for property boundaries, 3) Portions of cattle pens/holding areas, 4) Fire breaks. Very nice presentation!
I grew up in Milpitas, and hiked those hills for over 40 years. There are alot more miles of walls then this and some go through groves of trees. The older I got the further Ive explored specially on protected and private land. What you dont realise unless you go there alot is that when you are in the diablo range specificallyMonument Peak area, not only you will see more walls but you will see that you get on of the widest panoramic view of California. On a clear day you get the Bay behind you, and the entire Central Valley from Sacramento to Bakersfield. Great place for an Civilization to observe from.
There's a quite a few fairly lengthy sections of rock walls further down south between Paso Robles and Hearst Castle areas as I recall... visable on google earth... I've seen the website that you're referring to as well, it's pretty neat. Amazing how many of these structures that there are throughout California
I travel a couple of miles stretch of these walls everyday. I live in the Sierra Nevada foothills. In Tuolumne county, Jamestown, near Melones lake be exact. I have seen them in several parts of this area.They look like ancient ruins. Fascinating.
I haven't check out that location yet, but there are some good walls along Mission Peak and Ed Levin county park that I went to a few years back. They are right off hiking trails although a fair bit of climbing to get to: ua-cam.com/video/zQQPGqqqNEg/v-deo.html
Just a thought but... similar structures have been used to drive game. Before people had horses they would drive herds of game animals on foot and something similar could be used to direct them to traps/ambushes/obstacles.
Has anybody checked to see if these weren't boundary lines for land owners with Spanish Land Grants? There are rock walls in Nevada too. at the base of Mt. Rose right next to Hwy 395.
Okay. So as best as I can gather, without any directions to where you're video taping in the description, you're in S. San Jose foothills, near Calero Reservoir? If so, then you're in the small neck of the woods that I consider to be the narrow crossroads between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Mountains..a very unique and special vicinity.. not surprising you're there, or that IBM usurped the most important part of the neighborhood.. not an accident IMHO. Now if you stay along the western edge of said Diablo Mountains and travel south some 40 miles or so to the Lone Tree Rd. area, you can locate some rather long, straight, tall and ancient looking rock walls adorning the hillside adjacent to the northeast corner of Hollister/San Benito county. They're quite visible on Google maps. As to who made the walls in Hollister, Fremont, South San Jose or any others that I would imagine are hidden elsewhere in the recesses of the 150 mile long Diablos, or why the Spanish would name a mountain or a range after the Devil, your guess is as good as mine..but I'll bet there is a definite reason for it. Maybe Bigfoots makes rock walls when they play..lol. Greatly appreciate all your content. Thanks. Peace.
Yeah, he was on the Stile ranch trail off of Fortini rd. off Mckean. It's part of Santa Teresa county park in what's known as the Santa Teresa hills. The start of the trail is known as an easement from IBM. Calero is on the other side of McKean
In the ranchero period the Americans declared that if you did not have defined surveyed boundaries then you didnt own the land. Don Vallejo lost his land that way. The rancheros 🎉then built walls like this to keep out American squatters. I know that Francisco Sanchez who owned present day Pacifica, did this. Lookup who owned the land in the Mexican period. Then can you tell how long a rock has been in place by the difference in weathering on top and bottom ? I have always been curious about this but I am no longer able to go there.
@@jimh598 I first heard about the walls because of researching Spanish land grants. Property boundaries were vague. Often defined as like "...a tree 5 varas southwest from ancient rock wall" and that was it. It's no wonder they lost their property.
@@avnostlga I know this isn't ancient but I can spend hours looking at the old land map in the Santa Clara County government building lobby. If I remember correctly it dates back to the 1800's.
You are correct. The rock walls were meant not only to contain the cattle but also make it easier to drive the cattle up and down the valleys to meet up with larger herds. That is why they are so long. If you look at where they all are they lead to the main cattle driving trails of the era.
You were on Stile ranch trail off Mckean rd.. I know of a few more offtrail in those hills. I was a botanist for a few Open space orgs, so I got to go all over those lands.
Good reminder that I need to get back into hiking. So many great trails all around the bay.
You should check out new idria some time. I havent been for years so it might be more restricted now but was neat to walk around at the time.
I went out to New Idria in January '23, the road was closed, and locals told me the townsite is fenced off. It's a shame, I was there 30 years ago, and found it fascinating.
Ive been to Hadrian's Wall and Stonehenge (and Carhenge in Alliance NE, and Mini Henge in Rollo MO), so I'm fully onboard with looking at rock walls.
Another banger, well done!
The walls are located all over the hills around the Bay, not just the East Bay but North above Vallejo. Lived in Fairfield for 30 years and hiked up to them a number of times.
The damn things don't make much sense. If it was for livestock control they are very poorly designed. Another weird Bay Area mystery.
I first noticed near Monument Peak looking out to Calaveras Reservoir! I found them sooo strange. Thanks for the hypothesis!
I like those vultures cruising around in the background. Sign of a healthy ecosystem.
This place reminds me of Chino Hills State Park here in Southern California. An island of solitude and native vegetation and wildlife amid millions of humans. Bordered on all four sides by freeways. But far enough from all of them that you can hear big backs of coyotes that have roamed those hills for millennia.
The wall looks recent. If it'd been there for long time, soil would have settled amid the rocks and plants would be growing out of the cracks.
The comments are correct. According to my late mother, who in her late teens and early 20s helped drive the Zumwalt (and other's) cattle from Altaville/Angels into the summer ranges of Folger Peak and Highland Lakes (late 19 teens to the middle of the '1920s), knew the Tryons, Raggios, and Carleys of Calaveras County. Former railroad workers, many of whom were Chinese, Irish and Slavic took to the fields to 1) Clear the field stones - not just for cattle but for the safety of the horses of the ranchers, 2) Demarkation lines for property boundaries, 3) Portions of cattle pens/holding areas, 4) Fire breaks. Very nice presentation!
I grew up in Milpitas, and hiked those hills for over 40 years. There are alot more miles of walls then this and some go through groves of trees. The older I got the further Ive explored specially on protected and private land. What you dont realise unless you go there alot is that when you are in the diablo range specificallyMonument Peak area, not only you will see more walls but you will see that you get on of the widest panoramic view of California. On a clear day you get the Bay behind you, and the entire Central Valley from Sacramento to Bakersfield. Great place for an Civilization to observe from.
There's a quite a few fairly lengthy sections of rock walls further down south between Paso Robles and Hearst Castle areas as I recall... visable on google earth... I've seen the website that you're referring to as well, it's pretty neat. Amazing how many of these structures that there are throughout California
I travel a couple of miles stretch of these walls everyday. I live in the Sierra Nevada foothills. In Tuolumne county, Jamestown, near Melones lake be exact. I have seen them in several parts of this area.They look like ancient ruins. Fascinating.
nice job. how many miles of wall are in California?
I'm finding these walls in the Napa Highlands.
I haven't check out that location yet, but there are some good walls along Mission Peak and Ed Levin county park that I went to a few years back. They are right off hiking trails although a fair bit of climbing to get to:
ua-cam.com/video/zQQPGqqqNEg/v-deo.html
That's the section that I know best. A local suggested (tongue in cheek) that the Indians had the kids do it to keep them busy.
Just a thought but... similar structures have been used to drive game. Before people had horses they would drive herds of game animals on foot and something similar could be used to direct them to traps/ambushes/obstacles.
These rock walls are in Butte County and Jackson, Ca, too.
Great video as always 😊
Has anybody checked to see if these weren't boundary lines for land owners with Spanish Land Grants? There are rock walls in Nevada too. at the base of Mt. Rose right next to Hwy 395.
Okay. So as best as I can gather, without any directions to where you're video taping in the description, you're in S. San Jose foothills, near Calero Reservoir? If so, then you're in the small neck of the woods that I consider to be the narrow crossroads between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Mountains..a very unique and special vicinity.. not surprising you're there, or that IBM usurped the most important part of the neighborhood.. not an accident IMHO. Now if you stay along the western edge of said Diablo Mountains and travel south some 40 miles or so to the Lone Tree Rd. area, you can locate some rather long, straight, tall and ancient looking rock walls adorning the hillside adjacent to the northeast corner of Hollister/San Benito county. They're quite visible on Google maps. As to who made the walls in Hollister, Fremont, South San Jose or any others that I would imagine are hidden elsewhere in the recesses of the 150 mile long Diablos, or why the Spanish would name a mountain or a range after the Devil, your guess is as good as mine..but I'll bet there is a definite reason for it. Maybe Bigfoots makes rock walls when they play..lol. Greatly appreciate all your content. Thanks. Peace.
Yeah, he was on the Stile ranch trail off of Fortini rd. off Mckean. It's part of Santa Teresa county park in what's known as the Santa Teresa hills. The start of the trail is known as an easement from IBM. Calero is on the other side of McKean
so is this rock wall in the east bay or in the south bay morgan hill area? or are there 2 rock walls in both locations.
This one is in the South Bay!
What Difference Doe's It Make Now??
In the ranchero period the Americans declared that if you did not have defined surveyed boundaries then you didnt own the land. Don Vallejo lost his land that way. The rancheros 🎉then built walls like this to keep out American squatters. I know that Francisco Sanchez who owned present day Pacifica, did this. Lookup who owned the land in the Mexican period. Then can you tell how long a rock has been in place by the difference in weathering on top and bottom ? I have always been curious about this but I am no longer able to go there.
The Chinese would have built very different better walls. Look at their earliest Chin dynasty walls.
I wonder if extraterrestrials made their spaceships out of rock, too.
all metal is 'rock'
Except when it's disco.@@I_am_Kairos
noted... @@SuperShecky
Mexican rancheros.
I live in the area of these walls. They predate the rancheros. Local indigenous population has them in their oral history; but not of creating them.
@@avnostlga Thanks for the info. I live in the area too but really have never researched them.
@@jimh598 I first heard about the walls because of researching Spanish land grants. Property boundaries were vague. Often defined as like "...a tree 5 varas southwest from ancient rock wall" and that was it. It's no wonder they lost their property.
@@avnostlga I know this isn't ancient but I can spend hours looking at the old land map in the Santa Clara County government building lobby. If I remember correctly it dates back to the 1800's.
@@jimh598 maps are cool. Maps where we live, even cooler.
That rock wall is 50 miles long I don’t think it was used for cattle