Kelso Dunes & Kelso Train Station

As you approach the 45 square mile Kelso Dunes, the view of this confection-whipped egg whites on a chocolate plain-will pull you onto the 4 mile access road. A spectacular panorama can be seen from the top of the dunes making this stop a worthwhile day trip in itself. Ascent to the ridge can take 2-3 hours-it's one step up, two steps back, with 400 feet of elevation gain-but what the heck, you're playing in the sandbox of childhood dreams. If you don't have time for the ridge, reading the road signs left by the night active wildlife on the lower slopes will reward your efforts.

These vegetation stabilized dunes fringe the active part of a larger dune system-the Devil's Playground-to the north and west. If our climate continues to warm with diminishing rainfall, these dunes could loose their vegetation and become active again. The Kelso Dunes are known for their rumbling "booming" quality caused when the upper rounded rose-quartz sand grains slide over the underlying surface. These dunes have been protected from motor vehicles since 1973 and will provide you with both solitude and quiet while hiking. All visits to sand dunes provide magical memories.

Ancient Life

The Ancient Life field trip stop suggests a short walk to search some really old lime mud rocks for burrows of ancient worms and other burrowing animals (also see Mojave Desert Geologic timeline).

Cinder Cones

Not nearly so ancient are the multiple cinder cones stretching across the landscape to the east. This view is the western edge of a triangle which includes the Cima Dome, seen gently rising in the background. The oldest cinder cone erupted 7.6 million years and the youngest a mere 10,000 years ago as the most recent ice age was ending.

Kelso Depot at the Junction of Kelbaker Road and Kelso-Cima Road

Midway to Baker, in all its isolated grandeur, is the Kelso Depot-a spectacular example of mission revival architecture reminding us of the value once placed on this remote outpost. This depot was constructed in 1924 at a stop that had already proved its worth as a secure water source for the steam powered locomotives traveling between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. At this site, in addition to water, a train could pick up a helper locomotive to assist with the assent over Cima Hill. The grade gained 2,000 feet of elevation over the 18 mile climb. Trains still make the run across the desert but they've graduated from steam to diesel power leaving the once useful community of Kelso looking for a new identity. The National Park Service has restored the depot to it's former grandeur to be used as a museum and information center.  The depot reopened in 2006 and it is definitely worth the time it takes to stop in and take a look!

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