North Junipers

Hikes: D.
Total Distance, D: 5 miles.
Difficulty: Level I+.
Season: April 1-October 15.
USGS Map: Big Grassy Ridge.
BLM 100K Map: Ashton.
Dirt Road Miles: 4 1/2 gravel.
PLSS Location: Section 5, T8N R39E.
Other Source: Geologic Map of the Juniper Buttes Area, USGS I-1115.

Introduction: West of Saint Anthony several factors come together to create a wide assortment of sand dunes. First, there is an abundant source of sand: the flood plains of the Henrys Fork, Snake, and Teton Rivers. Second, there is a perpetual source of energy to move and shape that sand: wind that starts at the westernmost end of the Snake River Plain (somewhere near Ontario, Oregon!) and gains velocity all the way to St. Anthony. Third, there are two tall basalt-capped rhyolite dones that create eddies in the wind. And fourth, there is a dry environment that can't support enough vegetation to stabilize dunes.
  The sand dunes area has three of the four major types of dunes. First are parabolic dunes, free-standing crescents with tails pointing upwind. Second are transverse dunes, wide groups of asymmetrical dunes. These first two types lie perpendicular to the wind. In this area, they are usually active, moving towards Yellowstone in a constant struggle between wind, sand, and vegetation. They average about 15 feet tall, and in winter moose and mule deer like to feed on the chokecerry, bitterbrush, and grasses at their fringes.
  Third are longitudinal dunes, very long dunes that lie parallel to the wind. They are only about 10 feet tall, but they average 2 miles long. Most of the longitudinal dunes have been stabilized by Basin wild rye, sagebrush, and juniper. In winter, elk prefer the food on such dunes.
  Hikers who want to enjoy the area must carefully avoid both ORV use areas and private lands. Fortunately, there is a route that does this and takes you to the area's best views, from the North Junipers. The BLM eliminated the North Junipers from the larger Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Area, on the grounds that they have no wilderness characteristics. In turn, the Sand Mountain WSA was not recommended for wilderness. Take the hike and judge for yourself.
  The hike is fairly easy, except for a somewhat steep climb up the butte. If you visit this area on a windy day (and most are), store your camera in a plastic bag for protection from the sand.

The Hike: From the trailhead, you can see two sand dunes draped on this end of the North Junipers. One is smaller, creeping around the very west endge of the ridge. The other is much larger and has brushy sides. Your goal is to climb the larger dune to reach a sandy saddle with excellent views. The dune is a ramp of sand that has been blown over the saddle by the prevailing southwest winds, and then settled on the saddle's sheltered northeast side.
  Start your trek to the ramp by heading southwest along the jeep road. After about 3/4 mile, when you're good and ready, cut south towards the saddle.
  You'll have to pick your way over and along dunes as you head for the ramp. These dunes seem to be transitional between longitudinal and transverse. The best routes stay near the tops, where the vegetation is thicker, the sand firmer, and the views of the route ahead better.
From the ramp's lush base (W2), find a convenient place to trudge up its steep western side. The climb is only about 100 feet, but the sand is fairly loose. Once on top, stay to the right (west) side of the ramp, and climb on to the saddle. The view from there is stupendous. At your feet is a field of transverse dunes fed by sand that flows around the western end of the South Junipers.
  Ambitious hikers could continue climbing to right or left. The official goal is the summit of North Junipers, to the left.

Access: Start at US-20's North Rexburg exit, and drive north on the Red Road towards Parker. After 15 miles turn left on the Taylor Well Road, an excellent gravel road (W1). Drive 4 1/2 miles, until you have detoured around a group of dunes and the road has begun to turn right again. Watch for a very sandy jeep trail heading left. This is 5413, on the east edge of your USGS map. Park here.