Pinto Basin Sand Dunes - 2.2 Miles Round-Trip

Pinto Basin formed as opposing fault lines stretched and pulled the earth's crust apart, forcing mountainous uplifts on either side while the expanding space in between sank. This depression once held a shallow lake that disappeared with a warming climate.

The Hexie Mountains (south) and Pinto Mountains (north) - once much taller than we see today - have since partially layered the basin's perimeter with sand and gravel eroded from its steep, sparsely vegetated slopes. Mountain erosion began at the end of the last ice age as rapid warming killed plants and grasses once prevalent along their hillsides.

No longer anchored by plants and grasses, soil and sediments were rapidly washed down natural drainages and deposited in the bajadas and alluvial fans at their base.

The finest sediments spread out into the basin, forming deep soils that can retain moisture for many months and support desert scrub communities.

These soils are the preferred burrowing habitat of desert tortoises, which excavate dens beneath the shade and obfuscation of creosote bushes and bunch grass. Sidewinder rattlesnake and jackrabbit also make this desert scrub community their home. The Mojave fringe-toed lizard lives nowhere but the dune and Pinto Wells vicinity.

The Pinto Basin Sand Dunes are not true dunes, but rather a modest layer of fine sand covering an elevated ridge along a fracture in the Earth.

There is no maintained trail leading to the dunes, however the ridge is visible from Turkey Flats and a fairly direct N-NE path can be taken to them. While the terrain is soft and flat, tortoise burrows pock the basin floor and pose an occasional pitfall.

En route you'll pass through a desert scrub community dotted with creosote and, in the spring, a brilliant wildflower display. Desert primrose, lily, marigold and purple lupine carpet the vast space between Turkey Flats and the dune ridge. Views from the elevated dune ridge lend perspective to the basin's true size and scale.

Though not very far from Pinto Basin Road, it's easy to lose sight of the parking lot once out in the basin's abyss. Use the trailhead's GPS coordinate (provided below) to ensure a safe return.