Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, CO

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Hiking the sand dunes was a unique experience for me due to the landscape and having to hike over, up, and through sand the whole way.

View from the Trailhead

Morning Sun Creates Shadows

There is no set trail, so I was able to choose the route. As I hiked, I came across some sand that still retained water from rain two days prior. These sections were easy to navigate because the sand was packed and more solid. They also presented interesting designs.

Mother Nature's Artwork

However, the majority of the hike was through loose sand in which my feet sunk quite a bit. Because of this, I had read that it's best to follow the ridges of the dunes and not try to scale them straight up. For most of it, I did follow the tracks of those who had hiked before me. But I also deviated a couple of times and left the crest of the dunes to investigate. These deviations made the hike even more "interesting".

Crest of a Sand Dune

A Look Back at the Starting Point and Mountains Beyond

Once, I wanted a closer look at the flowers that were growing in several areas of the dunes. When I tried to scale the dune in front of me, it got so steep that steps were very difficult and the sand seemed to be right in front of my face. After only a few minutes, I gave up, retraced my steps, and continued along a better route.

Flowers and Grass Make a Home in the Dunes

Prairie Sunflower

In another spot, I was only looking at the area right in front of me and slid back significantly with every stride. As I was about to put my foot in the next indentation in the sand (the steps of someone who had preceded me), I realized a little mouse was crouching in the bottom of the depression. I didn't want to disturb it, so I made my way around his position through the loose, steep before continuing to the top of the dune.

Western Deer Mouse

A few times during a hike I am often presented with a little surprise and a nice photo op.

Crow Glides on the Wind Currents

Shadow of Jon on a Ridge

I finally made it to my destination, High Dune. Standing atop this second highest point among the dunes provided wonderful views of the surrounding area.

High Dune

Jon Stands on High Dune

You can't beat the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising above the sand.

Waves of Dunes and Rugged Mountains

I also found the colors and shapes of the dunes intriguing.

Swirls of Colors

Hikers Make Their Way Along the Contoured Dunes

Making it back to the parking lot was obviously much easier being mostly downhill. On the other hand, my feet seemed to sink deeper into the sand on the return trip. After arriving at my van, I probably dumped a half cup of sand out of each hiking boot.