Thursday, May 26, 2022
We departed for Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in time to make a 10:30 park ranger presentation outside the front of the Visitor Center. We were treated to an educational and fun multi-media presentation about the geologic history of the area. The ranger used pictures, dance moves and sang a song accompanied by his 11-string guitar (he broke a string tuning).
 |
| Welcome |
In geologic times, a huge lake the size of Connecticut occupied the San Luis Valley and was gradually filled with sediment from the surrounding mountain ranges. With warming climate, the lake receded and the exposed sand was blown by the predominant southwest winds toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains which served as a dam to form the dunefield. Opposing winds through several passes of the Sangre de Cristos help to sculpt the dunes into interesting patterns.
The national park contains the largest dune in the U.S. Today, the 440,000-year-old dunefield occupies about 30 square miles and contains 1.2 cubic miles of sand. The dunes rise to 750 ft about the valley floor, well above 8,500 ft asl.
 |
| Park Ranger with Dance Moves wielding his 11-String Guitar |
After the ranger entertainment, we walked through the Visitor Center then drove around the paved park roads. We especially enjoyed checking out the park’s campground (tent and primitive RV sites). We then parked in the crowded parking area to begin our dune expedition.
As we had discovered in the dark last night, hikers must wade across the shallow but wide Medano Creek to reach the dunefield. Today, visitors were using this area similar to an ocean beach with canopies and chairs spread out and children splashing around in the water. The incongruous sight of the huge dunes with running water at their base juxtaposed with snow-capped mountains was surreal.
 |
| Medano Creek Beach |
With this inspiring scenery and cool dry weather (72 F), we crossed the creek and commenced climbing the dunes. Along the way, we were entertained by many youngsters sand-sledding and sand-boarding down the dune slopes, some successful and some catastrophically.
 |
| Lots of Sand |
 |
| Sand-Boarding at Great Sand Dunes |
 |
| John’s Excruciating Challenge |
With no trails, individuals and groups of hikers pursued their own paths. The first two-thirds of the hike was pleasant but the final portion steepened. We came to a fork in the sand where Jane and I took separate routes; Jane opted for the longer more gradual grade while I bravely (foolishly) decided to take the steeper more challenging route. For every three steps forward I was sliding backwards one step. Soon my lungs were burning as I gasped for ever more of the thin air while my heart pounded harder and harder. After many stops, I reach the summit (without a heart attack) and lay down on my back with my hat over my face until my breathing and heart rate slowed down. Meanwhile, Jane had proceeded to a ridge above my position so I slowly rose and trudged the more gradual ascent up to her and together we reached the summit of the dune. We sat there for a long while drinking water and enjoying the terrific view and sense of accomplishment (not to mention procrastinating the descent). The descent went very easily and quickly. We drove the car back to the Visitor Center to refill our water bottles before departing the park.
 |
| King of the Hill! |
 |
| Barefooting a Ridge |
On the route back to the campground, we had recovered enough from our dune hike to stop at Zapata Falls. We slowly drove a gravelly route that was under maintenance up to the trail head. The hike up to Zapata Creek was steep and rocky. We then followed the creek and forded it on rocks three times to reach the falls. The falls were around a bend in the creek and it was necessary to wait our turn in the chilled air before getting a proper view. The falls descended through a gap in the overhead boulders cascading down rocks into a clear pool below. Beside the waterfall was a block of ice flow. After enjoying the view and refreshingly cool air, we retraced our route back to the trailhead parking area and took in excellent views of the San Luis Valley with the Great Sand Dunes packed against the Sangre de Cristos.
 |
| Zapata Falls with and a Block of Ice Flow |
 |
| Fording the Creek on the Zapata Falls Return Trip |
 |
| Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Great Sand Dunes from the Zapata Falls Trailhead |
We briefly stopped by the RV to dump buckets of sand from our shoes and socks and clean up before
 |
| Delicious Beer Here |
proceeding back into Alamosa. In town, Jane found a drive-though car wash and we watched a local sheriff car get cleaned while awaiting our turn. After the carwash, we sampled two flights of beer at SquarePeg Brewerks, one of light and one of dark beers, for Jane and me, respectively. They were all excellent and the atmosphere was casual with a friendly dog lounging around on the floor.
We walked from SquarePeg to Thai Hut and had appetizers with two types of curry. We were happy to find Thai food in the midst of Mexican restaurants but the owner told us she may need to close soon because she could not find good local workers.
Back at the campground, new neighbors had moved in although this campground is spacious and by no means crowded. We read awhile but were exhausted from our hikes so retired early to rest up for tomorrow’s travels.
 |
| Dinner at Thai Hut |
 |
| Our Scenic Alamosa KOA Campsite |
