PNW/E.WA Dunes

[don moore]

were is this ?

[Baxman]

At Sentinal Gap, where the Columbia R. cuts through the Saddle Mountains there are dunes that sweep up against Sentinal Mountain. This makes for some steep dunes that are a pretty good challenge to climb. We'll "play in the sand" there for a couple of hours, then take the trail from about 3/4 the way up the dunes to the top of 2300' Sentinal Mountain. The trail is rocky, but fairly mild until one very steep and loose gravelly section where the climb is about 700' in ~1/4 mile. The view at the top is amazing, especially on a clear day. The south slope of the mtn is gradual, but the north face is almost a cliff, 1,800 ft down to some other dunes at the bottom. If there's time we'll go to an area 3 miles down the road where there are a series of parallel ruts 1-3' deep that can be traversed *if* you take them at the right angle. Its a fun challenge and a good workout for the VX's amazingly supple suspension, given those wrist-sized sway (anti-roll) bars. I've been high-centered there more than once. We'll meet at the Schwana Store/Gas (about 11 miles S of I-90 on the river) on Hwy 243 at 10 am.

[rowhard]

Is this it?

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4E2R

[Baxman]

That would be the place! Somtimes when I'm standing at the precipice at the top of the mountain, I imagine what it would have been like standing at that spot 12,000 years ago during one of those colossal floods. Even though the top of the mountan is ~1800' above Crab Creek below, the water, rushing at 50 MPH would have been only a few hundred feet below.

Fun in the sand, good authentic Mexican food (Matawa on the south slope of the mountain), and a lesson in ancient geologic cataclysms... how can we go wrong

[Travelin2]

Sounds like fun! If I can get my rear end swap done in time count me in. I'll RSVP when I know for sure.

[Baxman]

Here's some pics from previous trips...

[JoFotoz]

Baxman..nice pics!

Ya need to submit a few of those for next years (family!)calendar.


jo