A Journey to the Colorado River Ghost Town of Picacho, California

Picacho . One of my favorite places to go. Friends and family have been going there since the 70's. It can get real hot in the summer but the river gives some relief. The trails and the dock for the boats are a great place to hang out. I assume you didn't camp there, Steve. Nighttime is another adventure to enjoy.

Again … thank you Steve for taking us along . i love to see the warm desert and these remote places. take care 👍🏼

Thanks for bringing the history of this unknown area to us! I can only imagine how beautiful it must’ve been to ride a steamboat up that river!

Thank you Steve! As a So. Cal. native, I have enjoyed local and away travel videos. Some places are new to me, some I have been to, and some that I have driven right past but didn't even know about. I enjoy the history that you include with all of your productions. Keep up the great work!

Tumco is a historic gold Ghost town that’s very close by to Picacho state park off Ogilby Road in Winterhaven. It’s worth a visit and has hiking trails around the ruins. I have enjoyed and explored the south east corner of California for many years, and still make several trips from San Diego every year. Thanks for the great videos!

Of all the travel channels, this is my favorite. Not only are the topics historical and interesting, Steve’s presentations are very easy to understand. His voice is not rushed and he dos not have an accent to filter through.

Best Opening Ever Steve! Your wife chiming in on cue about "Yuma being called The Rome Of The Desert" 🤣 You nailed it Steve when you showed that first view of The Colorado River @ 7:10 and it really did up the value of the scenery! I'm one of those morbid Souls who enjoy a good Cemetery up close whether it is a Huge Spread of a simple resting place! The Drone shots really showcase the vastness of that area! The Jail Cell was crazy to see and was surprised no names were carved into the walls from jailed visitors! And in keeping with Murphey's Law, it's no surprise that you and your wife saw all those Burros as you were leaving! They wanted their Own Premier on The Sidetrack Adventure Reel! Thanks & Cheers From COW-lumbus, Ohio MOO

I lived about 20 years in Southern California, and I used to visit many of the places you go!! THANKS FOR SHARING your trips with us!! It makes me miss the desert SO MUCH!!

"Nobody calls it that." 🤣Great video, as always.

Great adventure / showing the history of this area. You always have fascinating and interesting content to watch ! Thanks !

Steve, my dad and I spent about ten years visiting this site. We fished the Colorado in our tri hull boat every July. We learned the hard way to camp downstream and head upstream in our boat to fish. Pacacho became that camping spot for about ten summers. When we fished, it was for perch or bluegill during the day. Then, at night, these fish became our bait for 10 plus pound channel catfish, using a rock cod pole and rig. Often, blue catfish. The stories I could tell about Pacacho. I saw the Mine Grave site. Not so many fences, then. The laborers were Chinese, and the Graves were 4 foot long or shorter. It was an adventure getting our boat on a trailer to this campground. There used to be a small store near the launch ramp.

Thank you. It was fun visiting PSRA with you. I camped there with friends during a couple of Easter Breaks from SDSU, probably '69 and '70. We were the only folks there. The campground was right by the river. It was quite pleasant, even magic. There were no fences, chain link or picket. Keep on exploring.

Oh my goodness! I've been curious about this place for a number of years, since I researched it (online) as a setting for the opening scenes of a (as yet, unfinished) historical novel! Not sure of how to pronounce the name at the time, it was Peak-a-Cho in my head, lol. Thank you so much for the great info, and some leads where I can find out more about what was going on in the area in 1861. I'm also fascinated by the Chocolate Mountains nearby (now a Military range, off limits), and curious about early trails, perhaps Indian Pass, that would lead to the area now occupied by the Salton Sea. Strange I never found anything about the mining town, though now the name Paymaster Landing makes more sense. I've driven through the general area on the 78, through Glamis to Palo Verde. Your channel is so great for us locals who have passed by these places with no idea what was there. Also love your choice of music. I'm sure I'll be viewing this one again. :)

Very cool. I was there 30 years ago and the campground was full and there was a lot of boating activity. Beautiful area and the canoeing is sublime.

Fascinating as ever and a total contrast to the Roman road! Extremely remote location now but of course the steamboats would have made it seem much less out of the way. We used rivers for transport a lot more back then. Seems as though the mine is still economically viable if it is still in operation. What really struck me was the contrast between the dry and dusty desert scenery and the lush green ribbon of land by the river, very noticeable. Thanks for another excellent bit of old west history Steve.

Found this on my friends Facebook page. My mom and dad lived in Winterhaven CA, but not actually in the town (about a mile north of I8, off of Sidewinder Rd). As soon as you said the name "Jose Mendevall" i ran into the house to tell my mom, and asked her if he was related to an old friend of hers, named Ernie Mendevall, and she said yes, that Jose was Ernie's grandfather. Ernie is still alive and kicking, and has some land out by my mom's old property, where his friends, and family have camping gatherings. I also own land in the same area. Was going to be my retirement home for me and my mom. Unfortunately couldn't find contractors, or a well driller, so ended up buying a home in the Yuma Foothills. Anyway...loved the video. I didn't even know about the ghost town, despite having been to Picacho. Have sub'd to your channel, and looking forward to more of your travels. ❤️🌵☀️⛈️🌈🐕🐎

I grew up in the far west, back in the 50s and 60s. I miss the terrain and history so much - thanks for allowing me to revisit and/or discover new facets of this amazing region from home my young friend.

awesome my friend

Your adventures fill my lunch breaks with views of nearby history. To see the stories being told for future generations brings me joy. Thank you steve.

When I was a kid my boy scout troop did an annual 2 day canoe trip down the Colorado River. The campground at Picacho is where we would spend our first night. It's been over 30 years since I've been out there. Thanks for the video!