October 27, 2022

GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Colorado

“Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in southern Colorado. It’s known for huge dunes like the towering Star Dune, and for the seasonal Medano Creek and beach created at the base of the dunes. The backcountry Medano Pass Primitive Road winds through a canyon toward the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Trails lead to forests, wetlands and alpine lakes like Medano Lake, which is home to trout and tundra wildlife.” ― Google

Let me begin by saying that the drive from the Royal Gorge area, where I was camped, to the Great Sand Dunes was one of the most beautiful drives I can remember.  Yesterday’s snow combined with a sunny morning made the snow-capped mountains shine.  Unfortunately, driving an RV on the winding mountain roads did not allow me to stop to take any photos.

Driving into Great Sand Dunes National Park one can see the dunes on your left.  Initially, I was not very impressed, it simply looked like a pile of sand.  It wasn’t until I was at the Visitors Center looking at the dunes when someone pointed out that there were people on the dunes.  Looking closer the tiny black specks were indeed people, and I began to understand just how massive the dunes really were.  As another couple and I were chatting about the people standing at the top of one of the dunes, a park ranger happened by and told us it would take him about 1 hour and 15 minutes to climb to that point.

I then ventured out onto the dunes.  The first part of the journey was flat, and the sand was packed down, much like a river bottom.  When I got to the base of the dune walking became a little more difficult, imagine walking on a sandy beach with an incline.  I knew I wasn’t going all the way to the top of the dune, one, because of time, and two, because you’d have to be in much better shape than I am to accomplish that goal.  It is hard to describe the vastness of the area, when I climbed to the top of the first knoll, I was amazed to see valleys and other dunes that were hidden by the first dune.  I was awestruck and just stood there taking in the beauty.  I looked at all the footprints and marveled at how they would all disappear quickly if the wind blew.  Which also led me to think about the dune patterns that are ever-changing, and how if I returned in a week, month, or year, the scene would be completely different.  And then there’s the question, how did the sand dunes even get here?  There was supposed to be a film at the visitors’ center which I’m sure tries to explain the phenomenon, but the center was closed for remodeling, thus no film.

Even now, hours after my visit, I am still in awe.  I am so glad I put the Great Sand Dunes National Park on my list of things to see in Colorado.  You should too.