Arthur T. Ryan, a hitchhiker, gets a ride from haughty, society girl Glenda Wynant and her fiance, wealthy J. F. Van Avery after he helps them to replace the top of their convertible when it begins to rain. As they approach a bridge, Art notices a few stalled cars, and when the storm worsens, the bridge washes away, leaving Art, Glenda, Van and several others stranded in a canyon. Art, Glenda and a black father and son decide to climb out and go to nearby ghost town, Helldorado, a relic of the California gold rush, while Van and the others take shelter in an old mine shaft. In Helldorado, the group seem to be alone, and Art finds a gold pan which bears the words "First Gold in Helldorado washed in this pan by John P. Ryan," who was Art's grandfather. Art and Glenda meet Abner Meadows, an old man who talks to ghosts and who believes that Art and Glenda are John Ryan and his wife, Molly, both of whom are dead.