Kelso Dunes HP

"Having a nostalgic day in the desert. Been 24 years since my last visit to Kelso Dunes. I think what I forgot was how hard it is to climb a pile of sand. It is now fresh in my mind." — MikeTeeples • May 18, 2024

"This hike is my second hike to Kelso Dunes' summit. The first section was pretty boring but when the sand started it started becoming cool. We sledded down the sand hills and then saw the great views from the small dunes. Then it turns steep and gets more fun. Then we went up to the summit, which has insane views. Then someone sledded down the summit." — lc444 • Feb 28, 2023

"I summited this peak on the way home from Vegas on a trip meant for Amboy Crater. It was very easy but extremely sandy. I went skiing in the sand on the way down. Also, I rolled down a tarn that ended up with me getting my neck hurt after I played basketball 2 days later." — lcnguyen • Dec 1, 2021

"Went with Chris & Jim. We had a great day driving around the Mojave, checking out a bunch of places. We decided to end with sunset on the dune. After we got back to the parking area, we waited for dark & saw the Milky Way & some shooting stars. Great way to end the day!" — StudioHoodoo • Nov 6, 2018

"12.3.17. Well, I left my $95 Luna Sandals that I love at the trailhead last night and didn’t notice til I got home! Soooo, I did the math and $20 for gas round trip was a deal to go retrieve them. I took Olivia and Charlie Dog along for a hike and another summit! I love the Sand so it was worth a 2nd trip here. We had a blast. Charlie’s feet became irritated so I carried him back from the summit (Olivia helped too) so his paw pads were not damaged and he wasn’t in pain. No man, Beast or Shoe left behind in this family!" — paula.raimondi • Dec 3, 2017

"12.2.17. Today was one of the most Beautiful Days I have ever spent with my Husband. My Dad Babysat for us so we traveled alone to the Kelso Sand Dunes in the vast Mojave Desert to see the Sunset and the Super Cool Full Moon rise. We trekked to the highest summit, ran down its steep face and then traversed to a 2nd highpoint along a pristine and untouched ridge just in time to watch the show in the sky. The Dunes sang to us all along the way. We traveled back through the sand in the moonlight and listened to the sounds of the wind in Desert. " — paula.raimondi • Dec 2, 2017

"12.25.16. I was Dreaming of Sandy Christmas so we took a spontaneous trip to the Mohave Desert and Climbed the highest Dune. Charlie Dog too. The recent heavy rains and snow left the low Desert peaks covered with snow which made for a scenic Drive. The Dry Lake in Jean was completely filled with water. The Dunes were recently rained on so it was easier to trek on the semi packed sand. The temp was a cool 43 but we still went barefoot. Kids had a blast going down the giant summit slope. Summer as usual was a rogue wave and didn't heed our warning and went too fast and went head over heals eating sand. All was well and we had hot cocoa after. " — paula.raimondi • Dec 25, 2016

"4.2.16. Went with Jim and kids and did the summit while they played. Next level sublime experience descending the steep summit and hearing the singing dunes sound. Ran back in socks. Very cool animal tracks everywhere." — paula.raimondi • Apr 2, 2016

"I came across my old hiking journal, and got the date of the hike. I remember hiking to the summit of the dunes in the first sunrise of the year. It doesn’t seem that long ago!" — Mojavewanderer • Jan 1, 2003