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Kelso Dunes Trail - 1 member in 6 triplogs has rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
6 triplogs
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6 Triplogs		 Jan
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2		 Mar
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Jan 01 2014
autumnstars
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 19
 Photos 562
 Triplogs 1,390

female
 Joined Jan 04 2011
 Las Vegas, NV
Kelso Dunes TrailInland, CA
Kelso Dunes Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Jan 01 2014
autumnstars
Hiking2.27 Miles 643 AEG
Hiking2.27 Miles
643 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice way to break in 2014!
There were a surprising number of people already set up when we arrived last night to camp. Everyone was fairly quiet, though, so we settled in to bring in the new year with the stars and some tasty port.

After sleeping in a bit this morning, we headed toward the Kelso Dunes high point. There was a lot of vegetation on the foothills. Far more grass than I can remember any year in the past. Also, quite a number of primrose and milk-vetch seedlings, so maybe a good bloom year if rains continue. The usual winding around the ridges reveled the easiest route to the top, which I used. My husband instead chose the steepest possible route for himself - boys! : rambo :

At the top, we enjoyed a snack and some reminiscence about the year past. Then, it was a quick bound down the steepest face to enjoy the singing of the dunes. We helped guide some confused-looking hikers to an easier route than they were on - they were just about to turn back when we came across them. Glad to have my one good dead for the year out of the way so soon :sl:

Beautiful day, good hike.
Happy 2014, all!!!
_____________________
"Let it ride / Let it roll / Let it go"
Feb 17 2013
rally_toad
avatar

 Guides 22
 Routes 4
 Photos 512
 Triplogs 444

30 male
 Joined May 17 2007
 CA
Kelso Dunes TrailInland, CA
Kelso Dunes Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Feb 17 2013
rally_toad
Hiking3.00 Miles 2,520 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles
2,520 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wow! This was an amazing hike but by far the most difficult 3 mile hike I've done. Loose sand everywhere made it incredibly hard to hike up these dunes. Still really cool.
_____________________
"Who are you guys??!!" -Farnsworth
Feb 17 2013
jesso23
avatar

 Photos 1
 Triplogs 17

32 female
 Joined Oct 28 2012
 Las Vegas, NV
Kelso Dunes TrailInland, CA
Kelso Dunes Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Feb 17 2013
jesso23
Hiking3.00 Miles 2,520 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles
2,520 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
rally_toad
As others have said, pretty tough for a 3-miler! These are some pretty steep, loose dunes. Nice views from the top!
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Oct 20 2012
autumnstars
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 19
 Photos 562
 Triplogs 1,390

female
 Joined Jan 04 2011
 Las Vegas, NV
Kelso Dunes TrailInland, CA
Kelso Dunes Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Oct 20 2012
autumnstars
Hiking2.57 Miles 592 AEG
Hiking2.57 Miles
592 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After a trip to Lucerne Valley for an organized mountain bike event, we decided to make the most of the drive and spend the night somewhere in between.
The Kelso Dunes beckoned, as they always do, and we got there in time to hike to the high point and back to set up camp before it was even dark. One of the few times we've done this hike during daylight, so the views came as a pleasant reminder.
Couldn't really get the sand singing, as it was pretty damp only ~2 inches down. :(
After sun down, a relaxed evening with some wine and meteors.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
"Let it ride / Let it roll / Let it go"
Mar 15 2012
Hansenaz
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 180
 Photos 6,938
 Triplogs 403

68 male
 Joined Apr 06 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Kelso Dunes TrailInland, CA
Kelso Dunes Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar Mar 15 2012
Hansenaz
Hiking3.00 Miles 900 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.00 mph
900 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After Amboy Crater we drove north into Mojave National Preserve without any expectations. After a while we saw some impressive large sand dunes and headed toward them. The sign called them the Kelso Dunes and there was a trailhead, so we just started walking not knowing how far we would go. As we got closer we saw a dot, a person that is, on top of the highest dune. It was a bit of a slow slog through the sand and we decided we'd ask the person coming down just how long it took to get on top. The report was favorable and we continued on...the top came surprisingly soon, about 55min from the start. Really nice on top, views in all directions, and very pleasant ridge walking. I ran down the big face of the dune...you can go pretty much anyway you want, particularly coming back where sinking in is less of a problem.

BTW, if you ever find yourself at Kelso Dunes, continue on to the little town of Kelso and see the restored train depot and have a nice lunch.
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May 29 2010
AndreyP
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 98
 Triplogs 284

40 male
 Joined Feb 17 2010
 Moscow, RU
Kelso Dunes TrailInland, CA
Kelso Dunes Trail
Inland, CA
Hiking avatar May 29 2010
AndreyP
Hiking2.80 Miles 560 AEG
Hiking2.80 Miles   1 Hour   20 Mns   2.10 mph
560 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
The first quarter mile there is a distinct trail in the high dry grass, after that there's just sand and you can go wherever you want, but most people follow the straight line to the dunes, so you can follow the footsteps. Walking the sand isn't easy. I reached the dune bottom at the side and started clambering up. Basically I was staying at the same spot just pushing the sand down. At that time I heard the famous booming 'rrrrmmmm' sound created by underlying sand layers moving one against the other. After that I started moving diagonally along the slope and slightly up reaching the dune ridge about 2/3 of it's total height. The lighting after sunset was beautiful, so I rested there a little and went back down.

I still got sand in my shoes.
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average hiking speed 2.05 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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