Road Trip to Barker Ranch: Manson's Last Hideout.

A road trip to Trona Pinnacles, Ballarat, and Barker Ranch on 3/29/08.

The Trona Pinnacles are located just south of the town of Trona. They are products of calcium carbonate that had bonded to algae in a prehistoric lake. As the lake evaporated the pinnacles formed. Because of their unique appearance the Trona Pinnacles have served as a backdrop for a number of sci-fi movies including Planet of the Apes, The Gate II, Lost in Space, and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

Ballarat is about 20-30 miles North of Trona. Ballarat is a ghost town that was occupied for only about 20 years. Only Rock Novak and his dog permanently reside there these days. Ballarat was victim to graffiti by the Manson Family as they passed through on their way to Barker Ranch. Charlie's power truck still resides in Ballarat along with it's stars painted on the inside of the roof courtesy of the family.

Barker Ranch is about 15-20 miles south of Ballarat nestled five miles into the Panamint Mountains. The only access is a dirt/rock road and to enter the mountains you must have a 4wd vehicle with a clearance of ~9 inches. Manson and the family were found in Barker Ranch shortly after their Tate / La Bianca killing spree. The police were actually looking for car thieves and were surprised to find a group of murderers. Manson was found hiding in the bathroom cabinet. While the cabinet is gone it's outline remains.

Music: Viens Avec Moi by Devotchka off their album How It Ends.
Buy it here: http://www.backstreet-merch.com/bands/devot/Default.asp?

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[shnozzel12]

I just checked, the Barker ranch didn't burn down that was the Spahn movie ranch up in Chats worth,the Santa Susanna Pass area,pretty close to where i live,yeah that place is gone,but the creek and caves are still there to explore

[nrvana82]

Spahn burnt down a long time ago. Barker Ranch was recently burnt down as well though a lot of the structure is stone so a good portion should still remain.

[nrvana82]

Harrisburg is an even better option for a starting point that Stove Pipe Wells come to think of it. It's significantly closer.

[brianlowdown]

love this song who is it what song

[nrvana82]

Read the details to the right of the video. It's "Viens Avec Moi" by Devotchka off their album "How It Ends".

[whiskybeauty2]

That's a real shame. It was a real piece of history, even if it was associated with Manson. I am gutted I won't be able to go!

[Methadone4Life]

From what I gather,the only items that are still on site that was used by Manson and the gang..is the homemade stove,the oven,toilet,curtain and an old table,sadly probably only one or two(if that)remain.

[twinja]

@Ambkn1 they believe that people where buryed under the pool. and at the first ranch they killed "shorty" and threw his body down a mind shaft.

[casey8408]

CHARLIES PLACE IS HIDDEN WELL MILES IN TO DEATH VALLEY BIN ALSO

[TheRavenEffect88]

@Ambkn1

Charlie and some of the family relocated here after they were picked up after the la bianca murders. It was at the barker ranch charlie was captured for the final time.

[Ambkn1]

@TheRavenEffect88 He still stayed at this place though, didn't he?

[TheRavenEffect88]

@Ambkn1

That was Spahn Ranch were a ranch hand was killed and dumped down a canyon.

[TheMarkc]

@Ambkn1 ive got the matress that was found @ barker ranch,it smells whiffy but its comfy .

[tuberez]

Nice vid! Did u see the face in the rock at 1:45?

[Ambkn1]

I dont think i'd want to go there knowing that charlie manson stayed there. And wasn't that one of the places he killed soneone and burried in the back? Toi creepy.

[ummamberrrrr]

i am, SOOOOOOOOOO jealous.

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

It is amazing that all that stuff from the Manson era stayed there all those years.

George Vreeland Hill