Three Dunes Trail

Overview

Details

Drive about 7 miles south of town on Hwy 95 to a rest area on the west side of the road (lake-side of the highway) near milepost 170 (elev 975 ft). Park at the south end of the parking lot.

• From the south side of the rest area, follow a sporadic trail atop the bank, bearing left, until it meets the powerline road.  Go left on the road which shortly drops down into a wash.
• Follow the wash downstream. It soon narrows as it enters a canyon heading for the lake.
• The canyon opens up into a wider wash, which joins other washes, and just before you reach the blocking greenery, a short trail goes up the right bank at its lowest point.
• Turn left at the top of the bank. In about 30 feet, a trail to the right goes down and over to the north dune. Continue straight ahead for the south dune. It is 3.2 miles from the rest area to the top of the north dune (elev 520 ft).
• Be sure to walk back over to the right side of the wash when you leave the dunes or you might end up in a different wash and back on the highway somewhat north of your vehicle. This situation also occurs when you exit the canyon on the way back. Keep left in the wash so you can find the powerline road you came down on. If you miss it, you will end up back on the highway somewhat south of your vehicle.
• Note: Another route to the dunes is the slightly less scenic wash on the north side of the rest area. Walk downstream in the wash, across the powerline road and down through a canyon. When it widens, bear left to the join the main wash. On your way back, be sure not to take the wash on the far left. Its the next one on the left that you came down on.
• State park fees apply once you enter the state parks land.