ExploreDesert
Member
Sometimes you just need to get away. This weekend was one of them.
Heading out of town on a holiday weekend wasn’t originally planned. Staying away from the crowds and keeping around the house was originally the idea, but that went out the window. I was tired of the mountains and the desert was the last place I wanted to be as it’s the peak of summer. Talking about jets boats with a buddy of mine sparked an idea, why not head to the lower Colorado River and revisit a gem of a place – Picacho.
Years back, we made a trip to Picacho on a giant loop through Ocotillo Wells, Bradshaw Trail, along the river, Glamis and back. Shortly after, we boated from Lake Martinez to the giant rock face in Picacho, just across from the 4-S campground. Not wanting to go up in elevation and being in the middle of the desert without water would be ridiculous… so why not go to the middle of the desert with water?
Left a little late on Friday and began the journey towards Yuma through 79 south and hwy 78 as if you we’re heading to Ocotillo Wells from Temecula. Just past the Banner grade tiredness started to take hold after not being able to sleep the last few nights. Instead of jamming all the way out I decided to split the trip and stay in Anza Borrego.
Surprisingly, there was nobody out there… Maybe something to do with the 100+ degree weather and hair-drier like fast moving air. Found a good spot that acted like a slight wind block and got the camper all setup. Beer, dinner and a little time under the stars before calling it a night.
Got up a decent time and started the 2 hour drive through Imperial Valley to Yuma for a final pit stop on fuel, ice and some random supplies.
Restocked and refueled in Yuma, Picacho is roughly straight ahead.
Once on Picacho Rd, the first few miles are paved, then it’s solid 27 mile mixture of washboard, jagged rocks, sand and amazing scenery.
Picacho Mines
Opened by placer miners after 1852, the gold mines expanded into hard rock quarrying by 1872. Picacho employed 700 miners at it’s peak from 1895 to 1900. Mill accidents, low ore quality and the loss of cheap river transport with the building of Laguna Dam led to numerous periods of inactivity. With ores far from worked out, the Picacho Mines, using modern techniques, again resumed operations in 1984.
Heading out of town on a holiday weekend wasn’t originally planned. Staying away from the crowds and keeping around the house was originally the idea, but that went out the window. I was tired of the mountains and the desert was the last place I wanted to be as it’s the peak of summer. Talking about jets boats with a buddy of mine sparked an idea, why not head to the lower Colorado River and revisit a gem of a place – Picacho.
Years back, we made a trip to Picacho on a giant loop through Ocotillo Wells, Bradshaw Trail, along the river, Glamis and back. Shortly after, we boated from Lake Martinez to the giant rock face in Picacho, just across from the 4-S campground. Not wanting to go up in elevation and being in the middle of the desert without water would be ridiculous… so why not go to the middle of the desert with water?
Left a little late on Friday and began the journey towards Yuma through 79 south and hwy 78 as if you we’re heading to Ocotillo Wells from Temecula. Just past the Banner grade tiredness started to take hold after not being able to sleep the last few nights. Instead of jamming all the way out I decided to split the trip and stay in Anza Borrego.
Surprisingly, there was nobody out there… Maybe something to do with the 100+ degree weather and hair-drier like fast moving air. Found a good spot that acted like a slight wind block and got the camper all setup. Beer, dinner and a little time under the stars before calling it a night.
Got up a decent time and started the 2 hour drive through Imperial Valley to Yuma for a final pit stop on fuel, ice and some random supplies.
Restocked and refueled in Yuma, Picacho is roughly straight ahead.
Once on Picacho Rd, the first few miles are paved, then it’s solid 27 mile mixture of washboard, jagged rocks, sand and amazing scenery.
Picacho Mines
Opened by placer miners after 1852, the gold mines expanded into hard rock quarrying by 1872. Picacho employed 700 miners at it’s peak from 1895 to 1900. Mill accidents, low ore quality and the loss of cheap river transport with the building of Laguna Dam led to numerous periods of inactivity. With ores far from worked out, the Picacho Mines, using modern techniques, again resumed operations in 1984.