Last June, during a nice break in between jobs, I traveled to Colorado to check out the national park scene. After some deliberation, I decided a few weeks ahead of time to travel south from Denver and visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Honestly, I didn’t know much about it. This was going to be my first trip to Colorado, and I wanted to experience more than just the Rockies. I arrived late and set up camp in the dark and I had no idea what to expect the next morning as I drove down the road towards the park entrance.
In the distance you could see the sand just rising off the floor of the valley and behind the dunes, mountains rose as if to stop the dunes in their tracks. In fact, that is exactly what happened here. The wind has blown sand in for a long time, and as it climbs the elevation at the mountains feet, the sand that has been suspended drops out forming the dunes.
After checking out the visitor center, and studying some maps and tips, I decided to climb up to the top of one of the highest dunes and see what it is like to stand on top of a sandy world. That old addage: 2 steps forward, 1 step back is so true and applies to climbing in the sand.
A stream still flowed by at the foot of the dunes as it was June and the heat of the summer was still a month off. The highest dune straight ahead was my goal.
There is not really a trail, but you could make out a route by following the ridges and staying out of the soft sand. Others were hiking up with their “sand” boards to surf down the dunes. Every step was so much like hiking in soft snow but with the exact opposite environment. The farther I climbed the more the wind blew. I luckily came prepared with a bandana, wide rimmed hat, long sleeved shirt, protective boots, and sun glasses made for the snowy mountains but they work equally well in the desert sand.
You can see the footprints I followed heading up to the elbow of the ridge, where it would be a bit easier to trek and gain a footing. Each step forward was really only a quarter of a step in this steep terrain, and shifting sand.
You feel like you are in an alternate world just on the other side of reality. The sun burns down and the sand burns you as it shoots up and over the ridge as I made my way, up towards the dune peak.
I finally made it after a few hours of sweat inducing, wind splicing hiking. As with all hiking, you meet other adventurers and the gentleman on top offered to take my picture.
This was such a unique and unexpected landscape at the foot of the mountains. I so enjoyed the wildness of the park, and the reminder in the dunes that being prepared is a good idea. Sunscreen, my hat, sunglasses and a long sleeve shirt were very necessary on this hike. I also brought two quarts of water and drank the entire store. I think dehydration is a risk beyond even what you would expect in a desert: the wind and sun just suck the fluid right out of you.
This was a great day hike and adventure. I hope the pictures give you a sense of what it was like to meander up a sand dune, and experience the heat, wind and sweat. I think this park is a must see for a diverse Colorado experience.
For more information, visit the following website:
Myhealthadventure 
Leave a comment