Point of No Return

A backcountry trailhead that's also the beginning of the 4WD portion of the Medano Pass Road.

Plan Around Point of No Return

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Point of No Return Details

Point of No Return is a junction and a trailhead, serving as the beginning (and the first-turn around point) of the Medano Pass Primitive Road as well as the trailhead for the Sand Pit Trail and the Castle Creek Picnic Area. To get to the Sand Pit from the Point of No Return, hike a quarter mile down the dunes on gentle slopes above Medano Creek. There is a vault toilet at the picnic area. You can also access the Sand Pit directly with a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle. To get to the Castle Creek Picnic Area from the Point of No Return, hike 1.5 miles along Medano Creek (follow the signs). The main attraction at Castle Creek is the massive and steep 400-foot dune face that rises from the creek. There are vault toilets at the picnic area. Like Sand Pit, you can also access Castle Creek directly with a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

N/A

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Point of No Return

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Nearby Points of Interest Around Point of No Return

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Point of No Return while the map context is still fresh.

0.0 mi away

Sand Pit Trail

A half-mile spur trail off the Point of No Return, with great views and picnic tables.

0.3 mi away

Dunes Overlook

Take a trail off Medano Pass Road for great views of the dune field.

0.3 mi away

Dunes Overlook Trail

A short hike with vast views of the dunes.

0.4 mi away

Sand Pit Picnic Area

A picnic area with restrooms located .75 miles from the Point of No Return.

0.4 mi away

Buck Creek

A backcountry campsite located a half-mile from Pinon Flats Campground.