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Welcome to GreatSandDunes.info Your
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Guidebook
The
ESSENTIAL Guide to
More Info
What's there to do at Great Sand Dunes? Images from Great Sand Dunes & surrounding area Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) News updated 5/28/07 Calendar updated 12/5/06
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GREAT SAND DUNES Can I walk out onto the Dunes?Can I take my dog onto the dunes?How tall are the Dunes? What is the elevation of the tallest dune? How long does it take to hike to the top of High Dune? Where did all that sand come from? Can I use a sled, boogie board, skis, snowboard, etc. to slide down the Dunes? What’s so special about this place, other than all that sand?
Q: Can I walk out onto the Dunes?A: Absolutely! When you drive into the Park, look for the first left turn after passing the Visitor Center. Turn toward the dunes, and drive to the Dunes Parking Lot. This is the quickest access point to hike out onto the Dunes. Q: Can I take my dog onto the dunes?A: Yes, but you must keep your dog on a leash at all times, and you’ll need to clean up after them if they “do their thing” while on the dunes. Remember that the sand can become extremely hot on a sunny day, so take care that your doggie’s feet don’t get burned out there. And don’t forget to bring along plenty of water for your pooch and for yourself. Q: How tall are the Dunes? What is the elevation of the tallest dune?A: The tallest dune visible from the Visitor Center is named High Dune, and rises about 650’ above the valley floor to an elevation of 8,691’ (this can vary slightly over time). Another prominent dune you may have noticed further West as you drove into the Park is called Star Dune, and it rises about 750’ above the valley floor. However, because the valley floor isn’t perfectly flat, Star Dune’s elevation is 8,617’ – a bit lower than High Dune. Q: How long does it take to hike to the top of High Dune?A: If you are an athlete “in training” and you’re trying to go as fast as possible, you can hike from the Dunes Parking Lot to the top of High Dune in under an hour. However, if you prefer to enjoy the views, or are not in tip-top aerobic shape, you should allow 2-3 hours round trip. Be sure to carry plenty of water and wear shoes that will protect your feet from hot sand. Q: Where did all that sand come from?A: It’s a long story, but glaciers, water, and wind have all contributed to breaking down rocks in the surrounding San Juan Mountains and Sangre de Cristo Mountains into sand particles. After that, a unique combination of prevailing winds blowing sand into an “elbow” of the Sangre de Cristos (where they become “trapped” by the high peaks), reverse-direction winds, and creeks cutting down the edges of the dunes but depositing sand downstream for recycling onto the dunes have created a remarkably stable mass of sand. Q: Can I camp out on the Dunes?A: What a great idea! You certainly may. Just stop by the Visitor Center and ask for a free backcountry camping permit. The staff person will let you know where you can leave your car overnight, and a few simple rules for choosing a spot to camp. Q: Can I use a sled, boogie board, skis, snowboard, etc. to slide down the Dunes?A: A great thing about sand dunes is that the ski tracks, footprints, paw prints, and other marks or grooves you make in the sand today will disappear as soon as the wind blows – and the wind often blows around here. You can run, jump, slide, cartwheel, or roll down the sand slopes to your heart’s content. Q: What’s so special about this place, other than all that sand?A: Diversity. Starry nights. Quiet. With a range in elevation from the floor of the San Luis Valley at around 8,000’ to the heights of the nearby “Fourteeners” (over 14,000’) in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the diversity in plants, animals, weather, geology, etc., plus the visual diversity, is hard to match anywhere in the world. The clean, crisp air and frequent clear skies offer views of a fantastic dome of stars that you’ll never see near a large town or city. And the physical distance from highways and towns will provide an opportunity to experience a natural silence – another pleasure often lost to city-dwellers. Thanks for visiting GreatSandDunes.info
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Last updated: 07/16/2007 |
