Great Sand Dunes National Park (Photo Gallery)
November 24, 2004
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Some photos of the mountains on the way to
the dunes from Colorado Springs!
TOP: Mount Maestas (alt. 11,569) on left.
MIDDLE: The Spanish Peaks (alt. 13,626 feet) on right
BOTTOM: Mount Blanca (alt. 14,345 feet) and surrounding peaks. |
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Approaching the dunes, with the mighty Sangre de Cristo range behind. |
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Compared to the
huge mountains in this area, the dunes
do not look very large. However, the dunes rise up to points
of 870 feet from the base ... all in sand!
Notice how small the people look in the top photo directly
below the highest point. In the bottom photo, a dog fetches a tennis ball
on a very steep slope! |
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The geological background of the Sand Dunes
is fascinating, including
Medano Creek which runs beside the visitor area.
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LEFT: Notice our footsteps
as we zig-zagged to the steep area in the foreground!
RIGHT:
From this spot, look how steep it was to the ridge! :O |
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I was so happy to be there!
My pictorials in the San Luis Valley:
2004 Bike Trip in SLV, San Luis Shrine,
Villa Grove
San Luis Valley Scenery & Mountains,
Bonanza
Century Bike Ride,
Great Sand Dunes Photos (2006)
Saguache, CO,
Zapata Falls
UFO Watchtower,
San Luis Valley Photos
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Hikers at a dune lookout with Mt. Herard behind.
Some of my notable mountain galleries: Mt. Princeton,
Mt. Democrat-Lincoln-Bross,
Pikes Peak
Lizard Head Pass,
Views From Buena Vista |
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Tara and I had our sights set on
reaching that top dune in the park, which is relatively close to the visitor area. |
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One look towards the visitor area to the east. |
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Note that you will likely get a ton
of sand in your shoes just like at the beach. |
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Almost there! |
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Wowwee! The views to the northwest,
north and northeast give you an idea of just how large this sand dune field is! |
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A hiker runs down into a valley in the dunes. |
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On the way down...
TOP: Notice the steepness of the edge and the
person below for perspective. Now if this were a regular mountain,
the steepness would surely lead to serious injury or death,
but because the sand is like soft & mushy beach sand...
BOTTOM: ...Tara and I ran down it!
Just look at our footsteps and the steepness of that hill! :-P |
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It was neat to look back and track our footsteps.
My concern is you won't quite grasp the magnamity
of the dunes from the pictures. You MUST visit yourself! |
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In the park's parking lot,
this beautiful bird landed on the side view mirror. Wow! |