Juniper Dunes Wilderness
Apr 18, 2010
by
coreyg
—
last modified
May 22, 2010 03:43 AM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Juniper Dunes Wilderness
- Region: Eastern Washington -- Tri-Cities
- Agency: Bureau of Land Management, Spokane
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Be Aware Of
- No water source
Yes, I came close to murdering my dogs on this hike, and I had visions of cool watery mirages while thinking I could easily suffer from dehydration and forever lose myself within the maze of dunes ad nauseum, but I still like this hike.
--I can't blame Juniper Dunes for MY being ill-prepared.
--I can't blame Juniper Dunes for a wonderful spring day (first 80+degF day of the year) which gave me a sunburn.
--I can't blame Juniper Dunes for my packing one measly bottle of water to be shared amongst the three of us animals (my two dogs & I).
--And I can't blame Juniper Dunes for being so cool as to make you want to keep hiking & hiking & hiking & hiking
Juniper Dunes Wilderness is such a cool desert-y treasure, and it's less than an hours drive from the Tri-Cities. I don't know the whole political backstory of the area, but I do know it's been a bit elusive. The land is a protected Federal wilderness area. However, it's virtually surrounded by private land--this makes access a bit touchy. All the trips I've made here have been via the northern trailhead. The best way to get here from the Tri-Cities is to take the Pasco-Kahlotus Highway east (check out the google map on here).
The drive out is through farmlands. During my recent drive I saw Asparagus was being harvested (mmm!), an old single-room school, and also several of the biggest mailboxes I've ever seen (musta been a farm thing--I should have snapped a photo of 'em).
You take a gravel road as your almost near the trailhead, and then approach a nice Welcome sign for the area (see attached). The trailhead is near paddock for cows, so the moo-moo's will definitely check you out as you approach. You will also see a nice sign with rules about the Wilderness (for those using this access point)---the main thing to note is that this entrance is only open from March - May.
Since this is a protected area (it's fenced all-around), a really good thing is that you won't see any of those pesky off-road vehicles in here--none of their scarring tracks or piercing howls.
Within about 5-10min of hiking one will quickly escape the drudgery of farmlands, cows and tractors and be enveloped by silent sandy beauty. There is quite a bit of vegetation, but the sand dunes are clearly evident. The sand workout you get will slap you upside the face quick. You will also begin to see your first Junipers (this area is known for having the northernmost grove of Juniper pines).
This is a rough hike, but it's so worth it. Now if you were more prepared, you'd have a really good time. For me, I spent half the time worrying about rationing our water pathetic single bottle of water. My furry friends were too furry and thirsty to make a trudge like this. I felt like such a bad poppa as they were struggling toward the end of the hike.
But yeah, it's a really cool hike. You are surrounded by farmland, but as you dip up and down sand dunes you quickly forget civilization in the silence. In April there were many types of wildflowers in bloom--think of pinks, bright purples, & golden yellows. There was also something which emitted the sweetest aroma---I wish I could bottle it!
All in all a great hike!
* BRING WATER
* PUT ON SUN TAN LOTION
* BE PREPARED FOR A SANDY WORKOUT
* MAYBE LEAVE DOGGIES HOME
* YOU ONLY HAVE FROM MARCH - MAY
**** And most importantly: HAVE FUN OUT THERE! ****
--I can't blame Juniper Dunes for MY being ill-prepared.
--I can't blame Juniper Dunes for a wonderful spring day (first 80+degF day of the year) which gave me a sunburn.
--I can't blame Juniper Dunes for my packing one measly bottle of water to be shared amongst the three of us animals (my two dogs & I).
--And I can't blame Juniper Dunes for being so cool as to make you want to keep hiking & hiking & hiking & hiking
Juniper Dunes Wilderness is such a cool desert-y treasure, and it's less than an hours drive from the Tri-Cities. I don't know the whole political backstory of the area, but I do know it's been a bit elusive. The land is a protected Federal wilderness area. However, it's virtually surrounded by private land--this makes access a bit touchy. All the trips I've made here have been via the northern trailhead. The best way to get here from the Tri-Cities is to take the Pasco-Kahlotus Highway east (check out the google map on here).
The drive out is through farmlands. During my recent drive I saw Asparagus was being harvested (mmm!), an old single-room school, and also several of the biggest mailboxes I've ever seen (musta been a farm thing--I should have snapped a photo of 'em).
You take a gravel road as your almost near the trailhead, and then approach a nice Welcome sign for the area (see attached). The trailhead is near paddock for cows, so the moo-moo's will definitely check you out as you approach. You will also see a nice sign with rules about the Wilderness (for those using this access point)---the main thing to note is that this entrance is only open from March - May.
Since this is a protected area (it's fenced all-around), a really good thing is that you won't see any of those pesky off-road vehicles in here--none of their scarring tracks or piercing howls.
Within about 5-10min of hiking one will quickly escape the drudgery of farmlands, cows and tractors and be enveloped by silent sandy beauty. There is quite a bit of vegetation, but the sand dunes are clearly evident. The sand workout you get will slap you upside the face quick. You will also begin to see your first Junipers (this area is known for having the northernmost grove of Juniper pines).
This is a rough hike, but it's so worth it. Now if you were more prepared, you'd have a really good time. For me, I spent half the time worrying about rationing our water pathetic single bottle of water. My furry friends were too furry and thirsty to make a trudge like this. I felt like such a bad poppa as they were struggling toward the end of the hike.
But yeah, it's a really cool hike. You are surrounded by farmland, but as you dip up and down sand dunes you quickly forget civilization in the silence. In April there were many types of wildflowers in bloom--think of pinks, bright purples, & golden yellows. There was also something which emitted the sweetest aroma---I wish I could bottle it!
All in all a great hike!
* BRING WATER
* PUT ON SUN TAN LOTION
* BE PREPARED FOR A SANDY WORKOUT
* MAYBE LEAVE DOGGIES HOME
* YOU ONLY HAVE FROM MARCH - MAY
**** And most importantly: HAVE FUN OUT THERE! ****
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