Sand Dunes - Pano Loop

Begin the hike from the F Street Bridge trailhead by crossing the railroad tracks to the bottom of Rise-n-Shine, then quickly picking up Lower Sand Dunes to head straight up the narrow valley that climbs into the Arkansas Hills. The climb up Sand Dunes is quite achievable, but there are plenty of rocks, ledges, and short, steep pitches along the way. Be sure to watch out for downhill mountain bike traffic, as this is a popular descent.Cross the four-way junction with Backbone to continue climbing Sand Dunes, past the dune itself and the aforementioned rock formations. At the top, take a right on FS 173 to climb a bit on the road, and then a left on Pano at the top.Enjoy the panoramic views from the top of Pano before beginning your descent on this hiking-only trail. The descent is steeper than Sand Dunes and filled with steps and ledges, thanks to its hiking-specific design. Backside in particular is home to a beautiful natural rock staircase. To transition from Pano to Backside, hike down FS 173 from the bottom of Pano, then find the Backside trail at the junction on the saddle where Little Rattler, Backbone, Rusty Lung, and Pano all meet. Backside is a bit up the hill and on the left from where Little Rattler ends.Backside crosses Little Rattler and Tenderfoot on the way down. At the bottom, you'll meet back up with Lower Sand Dunes--take a right to head back down to the trailhead.