Juniper Dunes Wilderness Overnighter

Like I said in a previous post, I was looking forward to the opportunity to strap on my backpack for a journey further into the Juniper Dunes Wilderness area and I got to do it!

Click here for directions, maps and more details on this hike

Fortunately, the road in was fairly packed with recent moisture so I didn’t get my truck stuck!  I headed east from the parking area and went to the fence surrounding the wilderness area.  I was able to crawl under the fence to head out, cross-country into the back country.  My goal was to get to the area with a high concentration of Juniper trees I’d seen on Google Earth.

It was fascinating hiking through the wilderness area.  I saw many fresh deer and coyote tracks in the sand and on the trails.  There weren’t many wildlife sightings though but plenty of signs that they were around.I was a little concerned about camping out because of the high wind warning for 50+ mph gusts but I didn’t get blown away.  The winds were strong and constant but made for some beautiful sights of the moving sand dunes with rippled patterns

It was so enjoyable just hiking through the wilderness.  I recognized areas where Nate and I had hiked last time we were here.  Then, I just kept going and going.  I had a general idea of where I wanted to go to find the heavier forest.  It was so awesome to see the rolling terrain of sand with brush over the top.

The Rolling Terrain of the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area

I could see, in the distance, clumps of trees the looked like the area I was seeking.  I headed across ridges and bowls seeing huge sand dunes in the distance being whipped in the wind.  I was head toward them and get an up close look at the dunes.I continued on and came to the forest.  Yes, a forest of Juniper Trees just on the edge of the Tri-Cities, that barren, desert community.  I also saw several man-made watering holes for wildlife.

Juniper Forest

I continued on, across sand dunes and forested areas.  There were fabulous sights of wind shaped sand along the way.As the sun was getting lower on the horizon, I spotted what looked like a bowl in the distance which might provide some protection from the wind.  I called my wife to check in from the high ground as I figured cell phone service would be gone in the valleys.  As I hiked on, I got a glimpse of movement to the left.  I watched as 3 white-tailed deer scampered across the terrain.  They moved to quick to get a picture but that was one thing I was hoping to see!  I continued on and there was more movement off to the right as 4 more deer climbed up out of a bowl and out of sight.  I was happy for that.  The area I spotted worked out great.  Just a gentle breeze in the bowl, well protected.

My Tent Protected in the Small Valley

I relaxed, set-up my tent and made some dinner.  I climbed back up on the ridge to see the sun setting.I expected to hear coyotes yelping at night but they must have been hunkered down in the wind.  It was an okay nights sleep.  Got up for some breakfast then packed up and headed out.  I hiked back across the rolling terrain, sand dunes and through the Juniper trees.  Total hike distance was about 10 miles and I was gone from home about 24 hours.  I wonderful adventure with some peace, solitude and some Hiking University along the way!