Exploring the ABANDONED Mayhew Lodge Ruins (Sedona, AZ)

J-MASS INSTAGRAM: @jmassofficial
The official theme song for my channel, “City of Steam”, was originally composed by my friend, Jesse Walsh! Check out the full song here on his CZcams channel: • [J-MASS THEME] City of...
Just north of the city of Sedona, Arizona lies the rugged, pine-covered cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon, the scenic jewel of Coconino National Forest. This 12 mile (19 kilometer) long gorge is not only rich in natural beauty, but in historic significance. Back in the 1870s, a bear hunter by the name of Jesse Jefferson “Bear” Howard first settled in Oak Creek Canyon, establishing a small cabin and living a reclusive lifestyle, hunting the local grizzly bear population and selling their meat to the residents of Sedona. Following Bear Howard's death, the Thomas family would take over the property, expanding the cabin and adding on several other additions and structures. However, this scenic location would reach its full potential following Carl Mayhew's visit in 1923. Mayhew, a local photographer who was hired to work on production for the silent film "The Call of the Canyon", fell in love with the area and decided to settle there permanently. Thus, Mayhew Lodge was established shortly thereafter in 1926, becoming a locally-renowned bed and breakfast. Mayhew Lodge would host many notable celebrities, from film magnate Walt Disney, to Hollywood star Clark Gable, to former President of the United States, Herbert Hoover. After many decades of business, Mayhew Lodge would officially close down in 1968; sadly, just 12 years later, a fire would break out in 1980, destroying much of the building and only leaving behind miscellaneous remnants and ruins.
Today, when hiking through West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon, one can witness the abandoned ruins of both Mayhew Lodge and its predecessors' structures. Many remnants of the inn are still intact, including a fireplace and a full section of walls, as well as an archway and nearby bridge. Furthermore, the original cabin from the 1870s is still left behind, easily accessible from the trail. There is also a small dugout carved into a red sandstone cliff face, most likely used for refrigerating food.
This was my very first time in Arizona, and the American Southwest in general, and I absolutely adored my time spent hiking West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon. Not only did I enjoy exploring the old abandoned ruins of Mayhew Lodge, but viewing the scenic cliff faces and mountains that make up the canyon was well-worth the trip. Oak Creek Canyon (and the Sedona area in its entirety) is a gorgeous spot for nature-lovers to enjoy, and I could not recommend it enough. This hiking trail especially has it all, from scenic views to historical significance! If you guys liked this video, make sure to stay tuned for more exploration videos all across New England, and beyond!
www.atlasobscura.com/places/m...
00:00 J-MASS Intro
00:41 Introduction to the Mayhew Lodge Ruins
03:27 Mayhew Lodge Ruins
08:59 Abandoned Cabin
12:18 Bridge Ruins
13:11 Cliff Carving
15:57 Outro
16:40 Drone Shots

[@hello9ypsy]

Yes! I'm stoked that we still get our weekly Tuesday J-MASS fix. LOL I wasn't sure if you'd be posting this week since you were/are traveling. Love to see it. I'm also amped that you got to cover exciting new territory.

[@j-mass]

Haha of course, I wanted to try and upload on a Tuesday as I normally do… it was tough with the cell service out here, but I made it work! Thank you, I loved exploring some ruins out in Arizona! 🔥

[@NoahFaraday]

J IS LIVIN IT UP IN AZ! Bro I love that your favorite part of these ruins are the bear exterminator's house because same. Good work at 3k homie, I can see the numbers are going to launch into space super soon. Cheers!

[@j-mass]

Thanks bro! 🙌 I’m hyped to reach 3k! Also yeah, the bear exterminator story is WILD lol!

[@kennethsonier1766]

Good afternoon from Cape Cod ⛵ as you know I've been watching some of your past videos and this one just dropped. Absolutely gorgeous footage you got with your drone. I hope you're having a great trip in Arizona, looking forward to more of your Western explorations. ✌️🇺🇲

[@j-mass]

Thanks so much man! Being able to see Oak Creek Canyon from above with my drone was amazing; such a gorgeous and scenic location!

[@haywoodyoudome]

Look at a old photo of the lodge when it was still standing. Those stone arches are pillars of the front porch. Very cool location.

[@j-mass]

Comparing the ruins with old photographs of Mayhew Lodge is super interesting, you can almost make out which ruin corresponds to which part of the building!

[@Precide]

I was in arizona last November! Definitely a very beautiful state

[@j-mass]

Nice! I agree, it’s a gorgeous state!

[@goxplr_]

Super cool video dude! Awesome finds!

[@j-mass]

Thanks bro! 🙌

[@tash8496]

I was just in Sedona AZ a few weeks ago!!

[@j-mass]

That’s awesome! It’s such a beautiful place!

[@julianmalcolm]

Dope location!

[@j-mass]

Thanks man! I agree, this was a wicked cool spot to explore!

[@AustinT247]

Very quickly becoming my favorite CZcams channel… I checked out the I-95 bridge, metropolitan state hospital and Iron Horse! Would’ve never found them without your vids!

[@1provoid657]

American frontiersman were a bit crazy

[@j-mass]

Hahaha yep! “Yeah, I’m just gonna casually exterminate every single grizzly bear in Oak Creek Canyon” that dude Bear Howard was crazy 😂

[@hamirpathania3855]

Cool intro

[@j-mass]

Thanks, I really like how it came out!

[@emmanuelmcdaddie5165]

I watched one of you’re videos on the schools laptop a few weeks ago cause I got bored

[@j-mass]

That’s the way to go 🔥

[@Ghost_Of_FPV_1151]

J Mass Exploring lol.