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GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is not as popular as many national parks, but very interesting! It is located in eastern Colorado, near the city of Alamos.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a nature reserve with large sand dunes in the state of Colorado, USA, which was designated a national park in 2004 (and was previously a national monument since 1932). It represents huge areas of wilderness, as well as a more civilized part, where tourists come to see with their own eyes the high dunes of the San Luis Valley and the snow-capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.
Information
Territorially, Great Sands Dunes National Park is located in the high-mountainous desert of Colorado, but from this it is not at all clear how the dunes were formed here.
It is believed that the sand was washed away by streams from the Sangre de Cristo mountains, and was also brought by the Medano stream at a time when there was a lake in the San Luis valley on the site of sand dunes. And with the rise of the Colorado Plateau and turning it into a desert, the lake dried up, leaving washed sand. And the merciless desert winds completed their business, driving sand for thousands of years along their routes back and forth and applying it to a corner formed by nature itself, closed on two sides by mountains.
This is how this epic picture turned out: two mountain ranges, the San Luis Valley and the highest dunes in North America, framed by the Medano Creek.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, located in Colorado, offers a unique landscape with towering dunes, alpine lakes, and diverse ecosystems. Here are some of the best hiking trails in the park:
High Dune Trail:
Distance: Variable (approximately 2.5 miles round trip to High Dune)
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail leads hikers to the top of High Dune, one of the tallest dunes in North America at about 700 feet high. It offers panoramic views of the dune field and surrounding mountains.
Star Dune Trail:
Distance: Variable (approximately 4 miles round trip to Star Dune)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: Star Dune is the tallest dune in the park and offers a more challenging hike compared to High Dune. The trail takes you through the dune field, and reaching the summit rewards you with expansive views.
Mosca Pass Trail:
Distance: 7 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail begins at the Montville Nature Trailhead and climbs through forests and meadows to Mosca Pass. It provides views of the dune field from a different perspective and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Medano Lake Trail:
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Description: This trail leads to Medano Lake, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains above the dunes. It offers a chance to experience alpine scenery and potentially spot wildlife.
Sand Ramp Trail:
Distance: 0.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Description: Located near the main dune field parking area, this short trail provides an easy walk onto the dunes, offering a taste of the sandy landscape without a strenuous climb.
Pinyon Flats Campground Nature Trail:
Distance: 0.5 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This short loop trail starts near the visitor center and campground, providing interpretive signs about the park's natural and cultural history.
Always prepare for hiking in the sand with appropriate footwear (such as closed-toe shoes or sandals with straps), sun protection, and plenty of water. Sand temperatures can be extremely hot, especially during midday, so plan hikes accordingly.
Official name - GREAT SAND DUNES National Park
Mailing Address: Visitor Center
11999 State Highway 150
Mosca, CO 81146
Area: 149,028 acres
Coordinates: 37°43′58″N 105°30′44″W
Established - September 24, 2004
Attendance - 527,546 people per year
