Potholes Wildlife Area - Dunes RambleThe trail leads due south out of the turnaround area along the top of the dune on which you parked. As you begin your walk, you'll immediately enter a garden of wildflowers--wallflower (yellow), yellow bells, and fern-leaf desert parsley cover the ground and are especially lovely when seen beneath the willow trees along the water. At about 1.5 miles out, follow the trail down to the edge of the water. If you are an angler, bring a rod and reel and you might catch crappie, bluegill, bass, and/or perch in the murky waters. Indeed, you can often catch fish with your hands--the panfish love the sun-warmed shallows and frequently get trapped in isolated pools as the reservoir levels drop. During low water, you might see fish skeletons scattered across the sands--the local raptors and coyotes make quick work of the trapped fish. From this fishy area, head east for another mile or more and encounter dunes that roll on seemingly endlessly. Turn around after playing in the sand dunes for a while.
Driving Directions:
From Moses Lake, drive west on Interstate 90 and leave the freeway at exit 169/Hiawatha Road. Turn left at the overpass. On the south side of the freeway, turn left onto the freeway frontage road following signs pointing to "Sanitary Landfill." Drive 2.5 miles and turn right at the gravel road marked with a brown Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife "Public Fishing" sign. Drive 2.6 miles on this gravel road as it passes under some power lines. At the Y turn right. Drive this gravel road 1.1 miles, and at the next Y turn left. Drive this last gravel road a final 1.2 miles to the end of the road at a large turnaround and parking area. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife permit required. Recent Trip Reports
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What a great area. We will be brining our kayaks back here to go explore on the water. Great views,...
What a great area. We will be brining our kayaks back here to go explore on the water. Great views, and sunny out.
Day hike
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No water source
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The directions on finding the trailhead are a bit misleading. Do not head towards the water that you can...
The directions on finding the trailhead are a bit misleading. Do not head towards the water that you can see (the large trail that could fit a car), instead head about 15 degrees to your left and you'll see a small trail. You'll be travelling parallel to the water just about the entire time.
Not much to see today, it's late into summer so no more flowers. Saw evidence of wildlife (droppings, tracks) but nothing but bugs and birds (Heron). Not sure I'd want to fish out of the place the trail takes you too, it's an unnatural shade of pale green. Has a nice log their for sitting for a bit though. After that, the trail is hard to keep to, but the sand dune you're headed for is not far. ALOT of sand, so either bring something to sit on so you can empty your shoes periodically or wear non-breathable shoes to prevent it from getting in. |
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