Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Kelso Dunes

So on Sunday morning we headed southwest to Kelso Depot and the Kelso Dunes located in the eastern part of the Mojave Desert National Preserve.  The dunes cover about 45 sq. mi. and the tallest dune is about 650' above the surrounding area.
It took us about 2-3 hours to hike up to the top of the dune and back.  Adam, LeAnna  and Oscar made it to the top while Karen and I bogged down about 3/4 of the way up.  The temps were in the high 70's, a bit unseasonable for this time of year.  It reminded me of scrambling through the dunes at the Outer Banks on a mega scale.
 

Ready, set..........
 


go!
 

 
Rest stop.

 
Wind swept ripple marks

 
Made it!!!

 
Down we go.......
 


the quick way!
 



 
I believe this to be a Mojave Fringe-toed lizard.

 
Gimme shade!


Happy guy.
 


Bringing it home..
 



5 comments:

  1. the shots of adam and leanna are just stunning. i am reminded of when we hiked the great sand dunes in colorado. leanna can tell you about that story.

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  2. Wow!!!
    Amazing photos! That's a real dessert scene! All of you look very beautifull and the pictures are so vivid!
    I am jealous - scary of this huge sand downhill.
    So, after all tese days of hicking will you spent the rest of your trip in the casinos?? At least to their swimming pools?

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  3. These pics are so awesome! It looks like you visited another planet!

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  4. I missed this set, originally. These are fantastic family pictures! As Eleftheria said, you all look beautiful and happy! Really inspiring.

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  5. I think I am in love with Oscar! The pictures and commentary are wonderful. I am glad your trip was such a delight!

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