The Kelso Dunes are a collection of sand deposits in the Mojave Desert, locked into place by the vegetation that lives there. From a distance, the dunes look like washed up beaches amongst rockier mountain ranges. Clouds of sand make the dunes look like the tops of waves as they crash into the beach. The dry vegetation constantly traces small patterns into the sand to be quickly blown away by the wind.

Hiking the largest dune is as difficult a feat as it appears to be from a distance. It’s a climb through pure, smooth, fine sand at a near vertical elevation. Your feet disappear into the sand with each step, as the sand scales down the dune around your ankles. It’s easiest to climb the most vertical elevation on all fours, like an animal. Half way, you may feel like turning around. But if you can carry on to the summit, you will be rewarded with the patterns of the sand, not visible from below.

If you do make it to the summit, run down the dunes and the sand will moan under your feet in such a way that you can both feel and hear (when the dunes are dry).

To get to the Kelso Dunes, take Amboy road east out of Twentynine Palms and through the town of Amboy. Turn right onto the historic Route 66, left onto Kelbaker Road, and left onto Kelso Dunes Road.