Bringing A 40,000 Gallon Water Tank To A Ghost Town (Ft. Heavy D Sparks) 

Hey everyone! Make sure you make it to the end of this one. Quite a twist at the last moment. Thank you all so so much for all the support over the years! If you're interested in some Cerro Gordo merchandise, you can find that here: store.cerrogordomines.com/

In a hundred years someone will be talking about how they got that water tank up the mountain, and the story will be told of the guy who revived Cerro Gordo and rode the tank into town.

26:26 EVERYONE please watch!! Brent put it at the end but it should’ve been at the beginning! He needs help rebuilding the road before ANYTHING els can happen this is a HUGE deal and anyone that can get there to help please do they need it!!

I am an 84 year young widow and this was one of the most exciting things I have ever seen...you made the impossible possible guys....I just love watching the video's of your restoration...bless, bless, bless you!!!

The Two Daves and their crew are amazing and a real godsend.

I was thoroughly STOKED for 26min 20sec- so happy to see everything that went into so epic an accomplishment. I did not see that last minute coming. Seeing the road like that, totally unrecognizable from the few times I've driven it and realizing how it'll affect things, is crushing. I'm so sorry. It's just one more thing to overcome, but I have all the faith in you, your people, and CG's extended community of supporters & volunteers.

Just imagine if Dave and his crew came out a day late to Cerro Gordo. The timing was perfect for the water tank trip but on flipside, they fixed one problem to only have another replace it. I hope Brent gets to one day overcome the major issues the town has once and for all.

Damn Brent, the extreme highs and lows of this project are something to behold. It seems to me that the crazy unpredictable stuff is in the very fabric of the town from the beginning and that legacy is just continuing. Such a testament to the whole team's hard work and perseverance that despite all the challenges, the American Hotel will be rebuilt, and more.

The sheer perseverance of this man is Outstanding! Been watching since the days before the hotel burned down! Now, after 2 years he is still going on this.

When it’s raining, put buckets out. Free water! Welcome to “The Land of Little Rain”, but when it rains, watch out. Even as a kid I watched and followed the weather, it’s so important and can change very quickly. I grew up in the Owens Valley, I’m 5th generation to do so. I’m so honored as I love every creek, river and hill to mountain peak, but it’s wild country and you have to be prepared for anything and everything. It’s a joy to watch all that you have done at Cerro Gordo.So many of my ancestors were miners, I loved the stories. You’re now writing yours.

One thing you can do with a firewater tank that has a specific code volume requirement is use the higher level as a buffer for everyday water use. The take off would need to be above the level for the required volume. That allows you to have some circulation in the big tank so it’s not stagnant.

This is the kind of collaboration we need to see more of on RU-vid. Not stupid videos that don’t create anything but entertainment. This video is rebuilding a town! A part of history relived. Congrats guys!!!!!

The best thing about the crew is you can picture them as children playing with Tonka trucks, diggers in the sandbox. Now as adults, they’re doing it for a living. It’s why I love people like this. They’re not muppets slaving in a horrible office but men building under the skies.

This was so amazing! Dave is definitely the friend everyone should have! Brent I couldn't be happier for you! EPIC moment when you rode the last mile up there👍

One step forward, two steps back? That sucks about the road. If there is one thing I have learned watching your videos. You, Cerro Gordo, and everyone that volunteers to help have a knack for stepping up, working hard, recovering, and making things even better than before! Prayers the road is back in commission soon!

Saw this first on Dave's channel but the vibe from this point of view is a feeling of celebration. A turning point for the future for evermore of this iconic town. One of my favorite videos. It makes you feel invincible! Luv ya, love your channel❣️ 🚒⛏️🌊🗄️🏚️🏞️

When a community comes together it is a strong moving beast. Love your videos and everyone involved.

Next week on Ghost Town Living: Brent spends a weekend building a flood control reservoir that also provides the town with clean water via rain capture. And more goats

Dave Sparks & his Team are some really great humans! They may look like a bunch of crazies but they've got huge ❤'s and phenomenal work ethics! Happy to see a huge accomplishment for Cerro Gordo for long time future use & protection. 😁

Dave and his crew seem like solid dudes. Big respect to them for helping out so much.

I find you 3 months ago and now i'm finaly done watching EVERY video from the begining to now. WOW what a journey it's been. And for a person that has struggled with depression my entire life I can honestly say that your the first person that trully made me want to experience the future! What your doing with this ghost town is trully amazing! Big love from Sweden!

My heart sank when I heard that road to Cerro Gordo was closed. I feared for the worst possible scenario, but I’m sure you will figure something out. At least the tank made it and Dave and his crew were off the mountain in perfect time! Baby steps, but you’re making it happen! Proud of you and everyone who has helped make this and many other things happen!

Absolutely a feat of planning, engineering and friendship. So glad to see it all go well, although my heart was on its arse watching you guys standing underneath it just before it was lowered down!. So sorry to see the damage the flooding has caused, but if anyone can make that road passable again, it's you. X

What a massive feat easily overcome by people with a vision and goal. No doubt the Lord blessed this giant step towards bringing Cerro Gordo back to life! Keep up the great work Brent.

It's so exciting seeing a place like Cerro Gordo preserved for future generations. Such a fascinating place historically. I'd love to visit, see all those old artefacts and mining shafts and learn about how people lived.

Just finished Dave's video, so excited to watch this one as well. I've been following your journey since the first day you drove up there. It's insane it's been 2.5 years already, time really flies when you've got something fun to look forward to. That for me is every single video of yours, it takes a lot of effort to record, edit, create a thmbnail, b rolls, plan out what to say and so on. Your videos have always been super fasinating to me and have always gotten me gitty every time i see a new video of yours has been uploaded. Sending you the best wishes with the rebuild of the hotel!

I think that the greatest thing about this channel, and all it's videos, is that it is probably the most complete archive of such a thing in existence. This point in Cerro Gordo's history, it's restoration, is video documented on essentially a month to month basis. It has been extremely entertaining to watch and see it progress in the two years I've been watching. Probably one of the best recommendations youtube has ever given me.

I so admire your tenacity. The things your have had to organize to get the hotel rebuilt. So many people would have given up, and you just keep trucking along. It's incredibly inspiring, and I hope one day I can come and see it in person.

Sorry about the flood man. where I live I unfortunately know all too well about floods. But what I do no is where there are hard times. There are great triumphs! Keep on keeping on and I can't wait for the next video!

Heavy D is absolutely essential for Cerro Gordo American hotel!!!! Without the Daves it may have remained a dream only.....god bless them all and God bless Cerro Gordo!!!

Hello Brent, thank you for everything, watching your videos inspired me a couple of years back to start explore the history behind the gold mines on my family farm in which the biggest gold nugget in New Zealand was once found in the 1880's, The Arethusa Nugget. I have re discovered a lot of tunnels and shafts that have been lost over the years to logging and farming though a lot of it still remains in the thick bush of the gullies. every weekend I go out there and explore hoping to find something new as well as documenting what I find along the way so that when the tunnels and shafts are all collapsed and are re-taken by the forest the future generation will still have some idea as to what once existed in the Longwood forest. Sadly a lot of the existing tunnels have collapsed with few remaining, but there is still more to be discovered that is hiding under the thick vegetation, some of the shafts have become over grown and covered with a thin layer of sticks and leaves making it difficult and some what dangerous to explore with some shafts dropping straight down up to 120ft, but that is what makes life interesting and I wouldn't have it any other way. I some day hope to move out there so I can better document my findings and become more familiar with the land, there is not much online or in books about the Arethusa and its surrounding mines, such as the Pioneer, The El Dorado and the Invercargill, so most of my information has come from old archived News papers and local knowledge. The rest of my family doesn't have much of an interest in the history of it so I believe it is up to me to keep the memory alive well I wait for someone else with a similar interest as me take over. Thank you for everything you have done here on RU-vid, your videos have not only helped keep Cerro Gordo alive but I believe they have helped save many other Mines, such as my ones, that would have been left to disappear into time becoming only a rumor of what once was life for many hard working young men who traveled over land and sea to risked their life's deep under ground in hopes of striking it rich. Once again I thank you for everything and I wish you the best of luck.

Hello from the UK. I was heartbroken when the hotel and all of it's history got burnt down too. But I am so amazed by your determination to rebuild the American Hotel.

Glad you got the tank up before your road got washed away making me think how lucky you were to get it done always look 👀 on the brighter side Brent don’t let setbacks stop your dream of making your town a place we can come and see

what's really special is to see all the separate channels I enjoy, coming together to work together. What a delight to see Heavy D and the gang again after seeing them help with boat in lake mead with sin city adventures, even helping with Justin Rounds search. These are such feel good stories

Could have been worst, flash flood could have been before or during tank delivery. I got a feeling the Daves will be back soon to help

Congratulations on getting the water tank up there so smoothly, and right before the flash flood! I'm so glad to see Heavy D and Diesel Dave up there again to help. :) I'm so saddened to see the road was destroyed, but like someone else commented, this is just another challenge you will overcome. I think it is Cerro Gordo's destiny to have you there, and all of the things you've accomplished. May God keep you, and everyone contributing, safe and healthy.

Amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. I was not expecting the final moment or two. You've had so many roadblocks thrown in your way, Brent. And you come out on top every time. This time will be no different I'm sure. Thinking of you and hoping you get a quick solution.

27:20 You should commission a dozer with ripper , a reclaimer and a grader up there - that way you pre ripp the rock , crush it to gravel with the reclaimer and then grade it with the grader if you want to be fancy you could mix in soil cement - for that you would need to water the road , but you would have a concrete paved road for litlle money maybe JPaydirt could help you also id use this opportunity to have tight spots in the road eliminated, blast out tight turns eliminate tight spots and create a drainage ditch on the spots where the road became a creekbed so the road holds up better and longer than ever it would definately ease commercial travel a lot and increase the acessibility of the future hotel id ask construction companies if they have interest to demonstrate new equipment in these extreme conditions

Oh my gosh, that ending. I was just thinking with pride how Cerro Gordo is so incredibly lucky to have you. It's growth and future success is 100% a testimate of your determination, persistence, creativity and hope. I really think anyone else would have given up. Which is why we all know this washed out road won't be the last challenge this town will overcome. ❤️

Wow what a disaster at the end, looks like that storm finally arrived! Hope everything gets sorted for you, your channel is definitely a diamond in the rough of youtube, and you're an inspiration. I'm pretty sure you'll have the support to hopefully get that road sorted before winter sets in. Good luck!

Man what a journey following this channel to what it has become now has been! If I ever visit the US and go to the western parts, I'd love to visit this place! :D

Wow, Brent. Where's there's a will there's a way and you prove that time and again. The loss of the road with a freak flash flood is clearly devastating. The images and video at the end of this story are otherworldly and show just how fragile our world is. You will find a way through this one.

Thank you for keeping history alive for future generations

Amazing! Congratulations on another huge milestone for the town! Best luck in building the new roads!

That’s awesome. It truly is amazing what can be accomplished when people join together to accomplish the biggest challenges. I’m so glad you got the tank you needed and then some.

HeavyD and team, holy hell what a group of positive attitudes that can get ANYTHING done! What an effort and achievement for Cerro Gordo! Awesome, btw watch HeavyD’s video for another great vid on this colossal effort...damn didn’t see the end with the flash flood. :(

After seeing the news about the 1000 year flood in death valley, it occurred to me to check up on how it affected you. It's simply amazing that you got the tank up the hill less than 50 hours before the heavens opened! When I saw that wall of rain early on, I was super worried, but thankfully it held off.

Wow so excited for you and what you accomplished! I watched right to the end of the video and than what a switch. The weather really did some damage and my heart sank for all you were doing. I’m hoping Dave Sparks and his crew come back out to help with the road. They’re amazing at what they do. Fingers crossed 🤞 🙏

What an undertaking! I so love what you are doing. Glad you are getting help from so many.

I’ve been following this channel since you 1st got stuck up there at the beginning of the pandemic 2 years ago. Keep doing what your doing, I would love to travel out west one day and visit. Much love from VA.

I'm so sorry about the flash flood, but I'm thrilled that everyone is alright!

This was the most beautiful scenery shots in this series so far. Amazing. Literally paintings except real life. Perfect late-evening light illuminating the backgrounds.

I started following Dave Sparks maybe like 2 months ago and I really just started getting into RU-vid channels and I absolutely love everything that got put together... From your water crisis and then you got sparks motors that comes in and does all the logistics and Jack's the trucker from wild West posted some other videos listen y'all I've had a really tough weekend at work and my plan was just to chill out this weekend and watching all three of these stories that have come together have just been amazing! I really want to give a blessing to y'all! You guys definitely made my weekend and I've seen in a couple videos somebody has a cattle dog way cool! My litter mates sister from Southern Illinois went to Belleville Idaho that's the main spot they're at but her and her husband they travel around because they're in the logging industry so they go to site to site. I hope they're maybe more collaborations between you three! You guys made my weekend thank you so much keep up the great work! From the old mining town that is trying to get restored and the crew of heavy equipment coming in to help him out when the logistics for it were not looking that good just a brain scramble of how do I get concrete up here guess what you guys figured it out you made some amazing videos

Heavy D is a Saint!! Everyone could use a friend like him. Glad you are safe Brent, 🤞 on road being fixed soon.

Now a rain roof catchment system running into that tank could make the tank more usable rather than just storage. You definately get enough rain over a year to proably fill that 40k gallon tank depending on the size of a rain roof catchment system....worth looking into. That would take care of the water on Cerro Gordo. Since 2012 all you have to do is get a permit in California to collect rain water…catchment system.

Love the channel. Enjoy following your progress there. Would love to be able to experience that. As a fire sprinkler technician out here in New Hampshire, I was happy to see you'll be adding a system to the new hotel. Best of luck. I'll be watching every episode. You're doing an amazing job!!

Can i just say, I don't come here often but I was here the day you uploaded the video of the American Hotel burning down. And its got to be said, from an outside perspective in some ways it seems like a blessing. The effort you are going to to rebuild it into something bigger and better and putting your own large stamp on the town is amazing and you deserve all the respect you get for undertaking it. I wish you all the best of luck with the project and everything that follows. Mad props! Look forward to see what it becomes.

Such a massive undertaking! Dave and his crew are SUCH a priceless asset! Amazing work guys!

The weather unfortunately is the boss and it saddened me to see the road after everyone’s tremendous efforts to get the tank up to Cerro Gordo and the smiles on all your faces when that humongous feat was achieved. It is going to be a slow, costly process to fix the road but I have faith, hopefully sooner rather than later. Take care, be safe. ❤️ Dorset, UK

🇨🇦This was so awesome to watch! It all was like a ballet, so perfectly choreographed to get from the truck to the army vehicle then slowly going up the mountain road, very impressive. foolhardy of you two to stand on top as it was being moved!🤦‍♀️ But amazing fun too, what a feeling that must have been❣️

I Love when everyone gets together!! Great video and massive step up. Inferences on the word massive. Haha glad to see it coming together!!

I am so happy you have your tank, but my heart breaks for the flash flood. I hope nothing else was damaged beyond the road - which is enough trauma on its own! Thankful you have the SANY to begin repairs. And filling 40,000 gallons of water! The water from the mine is limited - perhaps through the winter you could somehow harvest rain & snow melt? At any rate, we are all here pulling for you, Brent.

Always exciting when big things are happening, and that was huge! That rain and flash flood are probably a blessing in disguise. Now you know you have periodic water events. Make a map of where all the water came from and the flows while it's fresh. You can mitigate some of that damage in the future with some diversion channels into catch basins. Once the sediments separate, you could pump that water into your 40K gallon tank, or use it for irrigation around the hotel. Any retained water is good water in a place like Cero Gordo, even if it's only every few years.

Your channel is riveting. Love your energy. My mind is racing with "what would I do" ideas but the one that keeps popping up is about the water/drought situation. The tanker is a band aid to bigger challenge. "I would" look into water catchments, permaculture and regreening the surrounding land. I know your plate is overflowing with projects and priorities but just needed to put it out there since I saw no other comment about this. Can't wait to see more!

Love your vlog. Love history too. Learning so much and there is always a sense of mystery. Keep it up.

I really hope you guys are okay up there. The internet keeps showing the devastation at Death Valley National Park. It's really heartbreaking to see such great progress and then, another set back. Stay strong! We're all rooting for you. 🙂

I watched Dave's first video a couple of days ago, and then the news hit regarding the flash floods in Death Valley. I wondered if you had been affected. I'm glad you got that tank in the ground before the storm hit. I'm sending the best of luck that the road gets repaired quickly. Thank you for sharing your journey.

Im a retired nurse living on the other side of Death Valley. I can't wait until your ghost town is open for visitors. 50 uears ago, my friends and I woukd sneak into some of the shafts near Calico to go exploring. I love going through Ghost towns like Rhiolyte, and old towns like Eureks, Austin, and Tonopah. Best of luck with this project!

Wow! What a great update Brent.. Please stay safe out there.

I'm so excited for you, Brent! Your whole demeanor has changed DRASTICALLY over the past year. You practically GLOW now. You seem to have re-discovered the joy you had. Keep it up! Your fans have your back!

omg...That last bit hit so hard. Really shows how hard it is to keep an operation going. Constant setbacks. Stay strong brother! Sending positive vibes from Texas!

I can't wait to visit this town someday in the future definitely looking forward to it it will be fix and that town will revive again !don't give up so far the heart have been planted there the water tank very good start!

Brent. I hope this comment finds you. I've been watching for a good while now and love seeing how much you've learned and your passion for this town. One thing I've learned in my 30 times around the sun is that the universe notices things like what you are doing. One day you will get your reward for all of your hard work, dedication, blood sweat and tears. You are a great guy and hope I can visit one day. I hope you have a great day and keep your head up.

I don’t know why, but I suddenly got very emotional watching the moment where you all successfully moved the tank from the semi to the military truck. Something about a group of passionate people doing exactly what they’re so good at doing, and loving it.

If you get a flash flood like that and the tank is buried without being full of water first, it will blast out of the ground like a giant cork. That tank needs to be filled before it's in any way covered over. It will float even if the ground is just wet.

Across the pacific. It's really exciting just watching the camaraderie u enjoy the interest of others who share and want to bring history to life. Happy for u and all who share your dreams. Jaw-dropping seeing both of u standing on that tank. Thanks to all the heroes who put in the effort, and displayed true American values. Cheers.

We will be stopping by this year! Cant Wait! Coming up to Big Pine for dove season and convinced my brother to take me over to check out the property. Cant Wait!

Wow. The logistics...amazing! The timing getting the tank up and in before the flood! Who knew! I know you and your guys/crews/volunteers will have your road up and running soon. Don't let this get you down, Brent. Did any of your volunteers get trapped on the mountain?!?!

Omg!! Watching your project evolve Its amazing setting up the tank for your water sprinkler system was AMEZEING!! MR. Sparks and all his crew and your crew work so well everyone is AWSOM!! I wish my son could be here with me watching this he would have enjoyed it soo mush 😢 I got him hooked on your videos and we both would watch them together ,I lost him in January 23th this year he was only 41 yo. I miss him everyday, I'm 66yo. and I now live for him and hope to God he let's me live so I can se your town rebuild it would be soo awsom to se your Dream come true, God bless you and all that vaulterks in helping to make it all possible, take care and keep on👍👵🤗

I very much appreciate the effort you take into telling this story. Excellent camera work and editing!

Awesome footage. I've just discovered your channel and loving the content.

I'm From Fresno! Thats funny. I love these old mining towns and even vis Bodie every year! I even emailed Brent to do some Decorative oldschool Shower Tilework (cement mud Floated walls) in the new hotel. The type of work that can/will last hundreds of years of use. I meant what I said. I love what I do and it would be amazing to know my custom work was somewhere it could be seen for hundreds of years...

Awesome video, Oh, Mountain dirt road surfer of water tanks!!!! Thanks for your vision, your drive, and your persistence, Brent! Have followed since you started, and SO want to come up and help out! Cheers to Diesel Brothers and crew, who never see problems, just solutions! CERRO GORDO LIVES! - Through you all, and all who love it! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Keeping you all in prayers there from all of my family to everyone in Cerro Gordo. Know that you are doing a great thing and we all love seeing it happen.

This is freakin AWESOME!! The smile on you guy’s faces is everything!!! Can’t wait to see what happens next for y’all!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Look at how far you’ve come Brent! I know this road thing won’t stop you and the amazing crew you have, my prayers are with you all for your continued success!

I just love the look of excitement and awe on your face. When heavyD is involved you know great things are going to happen.

Good God!! Great timing putting the tank down the ground, in perfect weather...then BOOM! rain that destroyed the road you were surfing on top of a tank two days prior. Great job done!! incredible human power you have on your side! And all you need is patience. No town was built in a year or two or ten!! Your progress is amazing and enjoy the ride, and you do, but you face drops when we you get some bumps on the road...literally!😂😂 Love from Israel✨🌼

all of you guys are just so damn cool and inspiring. Don't stop being you bc we need it

The logistics of that job was amazing to see. I know there was so much behind the scene and the rigging that went on had to be so much fun. I’ve have been involved with moving extremely large things and it was always so much fun and dangerous. Knowledge is key and they definitely have that!!!

You and your friends are amazing, Brent! To get that mammoth tank to where you needed it to be is a daunting task itself. You are literally rebuilding the town of Cerro Gordo and I am confident that you will succeed. I know that the flash flood has presented a major challenge but you and your crew will overcome the difficulty. Thank you for allowing us to witness history being made!

I grew up in Mammoth and am now going to college, your videos cure my homesickness. Thank you so much for doing such beautiful work in Cerro Gordo, and creating such great videos!

I can't wait until your hotel is finished. It will be on my bucket list of the places to visit. Love watching the evolution of Cerro Gordo - keep the videos coming!

Dave has a heart of gold and much more ❤️

As a former Army HEMTT driver from 33 years ago, I am very impressed. These trucks have always been top heavy to begin with and you all did not use some sort of counter ballast system once the tank being hoisted on top. High probably odds for rollover but you got the job done.

I LOVE this channel and watching your progress! I wish I could be apart of something fun, monumental and exciting as this, I'd love to be a resident haha. This is a bucket list item officially, I hope to get out and even see this place!

Hi Brent, Good luck with the road buddy! I love watching your videos . I used to be a tour guide in a mine in south east England ( a few miles from where i live) this mine was was used as England's largest underground shelter during WW2. They actually created an underground town with shop, cinema, canteen, toilets, and even a church. I left there many years ago now. I am totally absorbed watching your efforts. I cant wait to see the Hotel completed too. Kind regards Mark.

Love seeing these crossovers. Shows how this country should be all about helping your neighbors no matter how far. Thanks for sharing such amazing content with us!! That was a crazy ending!! Need an update and Heavy D can’t wait to see you guys back. Might be sooner than I thought haha. So sorry about the road!!

Always am amazed at how much you organize and get done. You are very special

When I was small my grandma owned a gold mine. I have memories of digging around and finding all sorts of old stuff. I really connect to this town just because of my own small efforts as a child.