WILDERNESS -- The Juniper Dunes Wilderness east of Pasco has the dubious distinction of being adjacent to an OHV riding area in the soft sands of the Columbia Basin.

The wilderness is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Dust clouds and whining of dirt bikes and ATVs are a part of the daytime wilderness experience in this area. At least a fence has been installed to make it clear where it's legal to have motorized vehicles and where it's not.

Nevertheless, certain renegades pretend the fence isn't there even if they have to break down and run over a section to continue their fantasy.

In filing a Washington Trails Association report on her three-day hike from last weekend, Holly Weiler of the Spokane Mountaineers noted recent abuses: