I haven’t taken my daughter to the ocean yet this year, but this weekend we did play in the sand. We explored the amazing Kelso Dunes, at Mojave National Preserve (CA.) I had been to the dunes before, but it was the first time my daughter visited this part of the park.
Kelso Dunes is a 1hour 45min drive from the Las Vegas Strip. It’s a beautiful drive through Mojave National Preserve, passing the visitor center. If you haven’t been to the visitor center it’s a great idea to stop there on the way. It is a very nice visitor center, with lots of interesting books downstairs, and a small museum at the upper floor.
It requires some endurance to hike in the sand at Kelso Dunes. The sand at Kelso Dunes covers 45 square miles, and rises in numerous peaks, the highest 650 ft (200m) over the desert floor. It’s a 3 mile round trip from the trail head at the parking lot (trailhead coordinates: 34.89235, -115.69906) to the top of the highest dune and back.
The dunes are composed mainly of light-colored quarts and feldspar, most likely eroded from the San Bernardino Mountains to the southwest. At the beginning of the trail head there is a well visible trail, but the closer you get to the dunes you’ll have to make your own way to the top, as the wind moved the sand around. It is wonderful to step on the “untouched” sand. Sometimes the sand makes noises as the warm sand on top moves, and the cool sand underneath comes up to the surface. We made many stops in the beginning as we got used to walking in the sand. There’s so many layers in this landscape, moving sand, and vegetation that desperately clings to the sand. Not to mention the ever changing light in the desert. The light changed numerous times during the 6 hours we spend at the dunes Saturday afternoon/evening.
This post is part of Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #67: Layered.
If you have a Mac computer using the MacOS Mojave maybe you recognize the view in the first photo? I dare to say that it’s taken right here at Kelso Dunes. I took that first photo one hour before sunset, 3/4 way up on the dunes, a little to the right of the highest dune. I don’t know for sure if MacOS Mojave default background picture is taken here, but my gut tells me it is. We had a fabulous time at Kelso Dunes, and we are planning to go again. The only thing my daughter was upset about was that we didn’t have more time, arriving so late in the day. I promised her that she would get to spend more time at the top next time.
Mojave National Preserve is a 1.6 million acre park between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. When I moved to Vegas it quickly became one of my favorite go-to-places for a day trip, or weekend getaway. (Less crowded than Red Rock, and Mt.Charleston.) It offers amazing solitude, sand dunes, rock formations, Joshua Trees, mountains, canyons, and cactus gardens. There is no fee to get into Mojave National Preserve.
This photo of the very last light this fabulous day is entered in Tuesday Photo Challenge -Sunset.
If you are visiting Las Vegas and are looking for a fun day trip, I can highly recommend renting a car and driving out to Kelso Dunes. There is even cellphone reception here, which is not the case with most of Mojave National Preserve. I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of the dunes, I sure enjoyed taking you!
Love,
Maria
… and now I am inspired to go to Las Vegas. I really like your first photo – clean and razor sharp!
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Thank you so much! The first photo is my favorite too 😉 I moved to Las Vegas a little more than a year ago, and I immediately started to explore the desert around Las Vegas. That’s the only thing that’s kept this country girl sane this past year. LOL.
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Such BEAUTIFUL photos and I agree, the first photo is super cool!! ♥️ The country girl is doing a wonderful job getting to know her country side and I’m so thankful we all get to share with you through your photos! ♥️♥️♥️
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Awe ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you 🙏
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Love the dunes! And your captures too!
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So happy to hear that Nancy! Thank you!
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These are spectacular Maria – you’ve really captured the adventure perfectly. There’s a similar feature, believe it or not in Michigan called Sleeping Bear. So difficult to climb! Thanks for joining the challenge – looking forward to seeing more of you
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Thank you so much! I was so happy when I discovered this challenge last week, better late than never, right? It was a perfect day by the dunes. Thanks for commenting!
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Very glad to have you with us! Welcome 🙂
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Thank you!
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Beautiful photos, Maria! The light was exquisite. ❤
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Thank you Eliza! I was thrilled that the light turned out to be like this when we happened to visit! ❤
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That is truly spectacular. Awesome even.
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Thank you so much! So happy you liked it! It was a fabulous day! 🙂
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❤
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Beautiful beautiful.
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Thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed my post!
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Your dog looks tired out!
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Nah, no chance 😉
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Excellent desert landscapes.
I really like them.
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Thank you so much! So happy you do 🙂
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Beautiful
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Thank you so much 🙏
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You’re welcome 😇
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Beautiful 🧡
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Thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed the visit ❤
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WOW – gorgeous photos! I enjoyed the virtual tour, thank you for sharing it!!
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Thank you! That makes me so happy!
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Awesome is the word!
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Thank you so much!
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Wonderful photos. I love how colorful the desert is – most people don’t realize that. 🙂
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Thank you! It truly has a million colors. I am still fascinated by how the light changes so often in the desert, and with that the colors. Have a wonderful weekend.
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This sounds like a great winter trip, Maria! Gorgeous images, you all look happy and satisfied!
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Thank you 🙏 Yes it was a little warm still, I can only imagine how perfect it will be a month or two from now.
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Beautiful images, especially the one with your daughter. ❤ Happy autumn to the desert!
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Thank you so much!!
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Beautiful photography 😀
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Thank you so much 🙏
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