White Bluffs Trail
Hike Rating: Easy
Hike Length: 6.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 350’
Trailhead Elevation: 410’
Best Season: April-June and September
Driving Access: Any vehicle
Plus
Points
• A unique and scenic ramble
along picturesque bluffs above the Columbia River
• The last free-flowing and undammed reach of the Columbia
River (non-estuarine)
• Ice Age flood remnants include granite bergmounds and
layered clay deposits
• Of geological interest are the giant sand dunes, bluff
landslides and slough ponds
• Sand-adapted wildflowers, including Cusack's sunflower
and sand dune penstemon
• Some of the most expansive and striking views in SE
Washington on this hike
Minus Points
• Bluff edges are very unstable
and dangerous, so stay clear and don't tempt fate
• Very little shade or cover on this hike, so plan to start
in the early AM on hot days
• Rattlesnakes are a possibility throughout the summer, so
be aware
Download
(PDF, 611 KB): Photos of White Bluffs
Trail
Download
(PDF, 682 KB): Topo Map for White Bluffs
Trail
Download
(PDF, 674 KB): Road Map for White Bluffs
Trail
Trail
Notes
From the
trailhead parking area, an unsigned path leads north across
a cheat grass plain and soon begins a gradual ascent of the
riverside bluffs. After a steady climb and a switchback
through an open canyon, the trail emerges on top of the
bluffs at 0.5 miles, with the first sweeping overviews of
the Columbia River. The trail then levels out and follows
the top of the bluff north, through sage steppe. In Spring,
look for evening primrose, Cusack's sunflower, sand dune
penstemon and other sand-adapted wildflowers.
At 1.0 miles, the trail crosses the first wide expanse of
sand. Look for scattered piles of ice-rafted granite rocks
(bergmounds) dropped by the Ice Age floods. From here
north, there are multiple trails on several levels above
the bluffs. As the bluff edges are unstable and dangerous,
it's wise to always seek the highest trail farthest from
the edge. The views are just as good and the walking is
just as easy along the higher, safer routes.
On a high
point at 1.7 miles, the trail leaves the sage steppe and
enters the second extensive patch of sand dunes, with views
of the landslides and sloughs on the bluffs ahead. The
trail then traverses the west face of a giant dune along a
faint but discernible track. Past these dunes, the trail
peters out at about 2.0 miles in a stabilized section of
sage steppe — however, the cross-country walking is still
easy along cheat grass benches. Look for yarrow, phlox and
yellow balsamroot here in Spring.
At 2.4 miles, one rounds a corner to a dramatic overlook
atop some hard claystone outcrops, with views over the
river and two cattail slough ponds below. This can make a
good lunch spot,
as the hiking
route beyond is entirely over loose sand dunes. For the
next half mile, one can explore the high ridge of the giant
dunes, all the way to the "summit" of the dunes at 2.9
miles. The walking is fairly easy across the firm sand and
the views are spectacular in all directions. The dune walk
north is limited only by one's curiosity and stamina.
NOTE:
This trail remains
open to the public only by the good graces of the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service. However, it may close in the future
due to safety concerns posed by the unstable bluffs. Please
keep away from the bluff edges and don't be part of the
problem!
Road
to Trailhead
On State Hwy 24, 17 driving
miles southwest of Othello, WA, and 53 miles northwest of
Richland, turn south on an unmarked gravel road just east
of Milepost 63. Drive through a sliding steel gate and go
3.9 miles south on a good gravel road. At a 4-way junction,
just
beneath the power transmission lines, turn right (west)
onto a paved road.
Follow the paved road west for 1.2 miles down the hill onto
the river flats, then turn right (west) onto a dirt road
leading to a small grove of locust trees. The unmarked
trailhead is just east of this grove. Be aware this is a
day-use site only. The entire area is closed to the public
between two hours after sunset and two hours before
sunrise.
Camping
Options
The nearest
public campground is Potholes State Park, about 40 driving
miles north of the trailhead. This is a large campground
with 126 sites, 60 with full hookups for travel trailers
and RVs, and 66 more primitive sites for tent and car
camping. It features drinking water, flush toilets,
coin-operated showers and boat ramps into Potholes
Reservoir. Reservations are available April 15 through
September 15 and are highly recommended for the summer
months. Visit the WA State Parks website or call (888) 226-7688.
Camping fees are based on the type of campsite selected.
Another full-service campground is Ginkgo-Wanapum State
Park on the west bank of Wanapum Lake on the Columbia
River, 3 miles south of the Vantage I-90 Bridge and about
55 driving miles northwest of the trailhead. This
campground has 50 sites with full hookups, plus drinking
water, flush toilets, showers and a boat ramp into Wanapum
Lake. The campground is open from April through October and
reservations are recommended during the summer months.
Visit the WA State Parks website or call (888) 226-7688.
Camping fees are based on the campsite selected.
Agency Contact: Hanford Reach National
Monument, (509) 546-8300
DISCLAIMER:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this
information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is
either current or correct. The reader assumes full
responsibility for any use of this information, and is
encouraged to contact local public land agencies to inquire
about current conditions before
traveling.
Page
last updated: 12/8/14