The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Imagine a world that automatically fills out the emptiness in your heart by just being amazed as you see the ever-changing sand dune formations, having touched the firm and soft sandy soils…stepping on both the dry and moist details. And you may think, these golden sands appear strangely beautiful because of it dark colored patterns brought by ground containing deposits of crystalline black oxide of iron and magnetite.

One of the most strangely discovered deserts is finally discovered in the easternmost of Alamosa Country and Saguache Country in Colorado United States called the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Formerly designated as the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, it spans a distance of 85,000 acres or 340 square kilometers when it was also finally announced by an act from the United States Congress on the 13th of September in 2004. Interesting much on the unusual dune features, it continually change forms variety of figures as several streams carry the sands into the downstream where sands are also deposited the moment the waters disappear into the ground. As you may also observe, these streams do surround the edges of the dunes so if the streams are getting dry, the dunes can possibly disappear too but sands are then carried back by the wind due to the windiest areas, and when sands and stones are swept and brought away by the hikers. Dunes both create golden and dark deposits, carrying crystalline patterns.

The Majestic Sand Dunes Ever Formed

For its biggest breakthrough, the wonders of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve are considered to break the record of gaining the highest sand dunes in North America. It has overtaken the others by rising up to 750 feet above the valley bed. Actually, the dunes are products of wind and rain that also eroded Sangre de Cristo Mountains and San Juan that is circled by the Valley of San Luis. The sands are collected through the rushing winds coming across the valley and to opposite directions. As the winds blow day after day, different sand dunes area created and thus, making the sand moves, growing both less and more deposits, forming like different styles of sculptures but also maintaining stable forms because of its moist structure within because of the snow and rain that paved the desert throughout.

Gifts of the Wild

Being blessed with great habitats to wildlife and other species, the Park is surrounded by several peaks bushed with tundra and alpine lakes, pine forests, ancient spruce and large stands of cottonwood and aspen surrounded by grasslands and wetlands. Ranging with wide species of animal survivors, it has revived different animals of the wild living in those places as high as 13,000 feet or 3,940 meters. Also, one of the most unusual parts is that the Medano Creek, which is by the east side of the dunes, it is also the place where the Visitor Center is seen as well as the Bookstore, making it an unstable place for providing a steam bed. Though small underwater sand dunes also act like dams it may form but may break down so waders in the stream eventually create small waves for only a short time especially during low-water seasons.

The Medano Lake and Various Tributaries

However, getting to the dunes may also require muscle efforts while trying to cross the wide and shallow Medano Creek just beside the Great Sand Dunes National Park, which only flows during the seasons of early summer and spring. Though hiking is permitted, careful handling to the sands is also needed because it can heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius and ironically, much freezes also during winter. These sand collections are widely known to complete the majestic view of the Sangre de Cristo bringing all other features to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve located at the east range of Colorado State, all experienced by people in Saguache having the few population of 5,917 during the US census in the year 2000.

Below the Green Edges

The National Park is surrounded by its closest cities that require few hours’ drive including the Alamosa that is driven through ways to Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Denver, Albuquerque and New Mexico, all at great service to the Park. Moreover, this previous monument was then purchased around sections of the ranch that has bordered the Park on west and north sides plus 14,165 feet or 4,317 meters in the Kit Carson Mountain and at the subpeak Challenger Point with over 14,080 feet above the water drainages to the south edges. Presently, these sections are divided into three, that created parts in Sangre de Cristo Mountains then to the Rio Grande National Forest and another area that is good for hunting purposes, mostly done at the Rio Grande.

Good thing that the area has also been considered as an essential home for variety of residents, as of the year 2000, the census have recorded 578 people including 160 families and 262 households residing in the town, distributed in the areas of National Wilderness, La Garita Wilderness, Sangre de Cristo Wilderness and most especially, at the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness. Other survivors however are several types of species including the grasses, insects and kangaroo rats that are relatively compatible with the seasonal changes and the Park’s climatic patterns. Then to much higher elevations, plant communities are found to complete the alpine tundra plants bounded with wildflowers and remains of the Prehistoric Clovis complex that has been recovered, revealing the best of historic times together with the Ute people.

Great Touring Ideas

If you can’t resist what the Park would offer more, then take a closer look at the dunes, appearing to be more visible from a distance across the Valley by choosing either path from the country road 6N— the road going west from Mosca or coming from the south side crossing CO150, passing through the landscape of dusty areas along with scattered sediments all over the place. Take note of the Visitor Center, which has main road that leads to the campgrounds when continuing the 4WD route where this runs for a few mile due to pushing north bound between the hills and the dunes that climbs for up to 9,900 feet while crossing the mountain ranges and meeting the road 69 located at the small settlement in Bradford. Reaching this spot can be fine for camping ideas yet be careful with the edges of valley bed. Also, the valley becomes more sight captivating as it stretches the longest straight road in the country. It then includes 35 mile section of CO285, in a distance between Monte Vista and Saguache.

Views of Dry and Wet Lands

Hikes and tours offered in the Great Sand Dunes are driving through the majestic Medano Creek, the “Star Dunes”, having 360 view of inspirational sight reaching across another mile and a half across the summit. Then to the Eastern Dune Ridge, it can easily be travelled through high clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicles down the Castle Creek Picnic Areas or the Sand Pit as it offers impressively tall dune areas, accessed by water flow coming from the Medano Creek usually surrounding the fields during the autumn season. For the Alpine Trails, starting point is accessed from the Medano Pass 4WD road, beginning at 10,000 feet elevation. After climbing the 2,000 feet lush forests and meadows, the end point will be the alpine lake and timberline, all accessible for basic hikers. Getting into advanced hiking however, hikers can continue climbing the summit for another 13,297 feet in Mount Herard to catch greater view of the ever-changing sand dunes.

All packed with force and excitement, the tours are provided with programs regarding environmental management through the Park’s Natural Conservancy. Having it managed in over 1,000 bison, the Conservancy-owned grasslands are all within the National Park where Bison Tours are managed also to certain factors such as the weather patterns because of the careful preservation of the lands.

Peaceful Break after the Outdoors

After a long day’s travel and hike, a good rest completes the pleasure. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve offers the best lodges all worth the stay, accommodated with most of the customers’ needs, filling them in with the taste of wild and nature’s wonders. When you worry much of the travel, the first place guaranteed is the Pinyon Flats campground which is just 1 mile north from the Park’s Visitor Center…

The Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites provide good deals by having the sands firmer than the average due to often wetter conditions in the place. Though some vehicles may also drive through the sandy sections without losing the pressure of the tires having 25 campsites; the Great Sand Dunes Lodge definitely offers a wide span of astonishing views of nature seen in the San Luis Valley plus the variety of sand dune formations letting it appear as center of attraction because of its heightened details. 25 comfortable rooms are found at the 16-mile marker, Highway 150 at the Park entrance; you can also have to try the Zapata Ranch’s historical ranch rooms that are recently identified for great food accommodations and lodging; you can also look for the Oasis Campgrounds and San Luis State Park, surely giving you a break.

Keeping the Memories Alive

Pictures are worth a thousand words but videos can possibly work the souvenir travels the best. Grab your best tours, hikes, sand boarding and castle building especially in this astonishing National Park. Get the angles at their greatest just like these…

That’s all up! Now rev up yourself once more as you regain energy when you plan another unforgettable tour at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Speak for yourself and express the Park’s difference among the rest.

Great Hike Accomodations

Dipping all the way to the surrounding waters of the Medano Creek, it is found at the base of the dunes wherein “surge flows” of water are basically watched by visitors—kids and adults would all love the splash it brings coming from its natural stream. Though for aged lookouts, the Visitor Center provides wheelchairs to help them roam around the place. While avoiding the hot sand, visitors are recommended to enjoy hiking during morning and evening especially on plans of summer month vacations. Similar action of waves at a beach, the Medano Creek completes the sight of water experience when mounds of sand form and fall from the creek bed.

Hiking In Tallest Dunes

Another part of the hiking ideas offered at the Great Sand Dunes National Park are the tours to the tallest dunes. This feature, also known as the “Star Dune” is then recorded as the highest dune formation as it rises for a spectacular height of 750 feet crossing the flats and ridged lines of the valley plains. It has a 360 view of inspirational sight reaching across another mile and a half across the summit. Then to the Eastern Dune Ridge, it can easily be travelled through high clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicles down the Castle Creek Picnic Areas or the Sand Pit as it offers impressively tall dune areas, accessed by water flow coming from the Medano Creek usually surrounding the fields during the autumn season.

Talking about the seasons with ample amount of sunlight, what’s best for summer is still keeping an option to escape from too much heat of the dunes. In Montville Nature Trail for instance, it’s better to walk along the shady forested trails having the late 1800s settlement which also comprises its 20 houses. But aside from that, you’ll also find fantastic views of St. Herard and the Great Dunes where hunting activities is also permitted yet with regarded rules and regulations for safety purposes.

Encountering Challenging Trails

Moreover, when you follow the creek to the summit and passing the low edges of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, you can also encounter the Mosca Pass Trail, surrounded by aspen and evergreen forests. This passing through rich greens allows 2 to 3 hours of travel upon reaching the passage, covering a distance of 3 and a half miles or 5.7 kilometers of one-way drive to the valley. Also, when finding a view from the foothills of Sangre de Cristo, it begins by hiking Sand Ramp Trail in the second loop of Great Sand Dunes campground. There you can see bounty scenery that abounds all directions. Only covering two miles of the round trip, the trek can be extended continuing to 11 miles of total perimeter from the east and west dune areas.

Now for the Alpine Trails, starting point is accessed from the Medano Pass 4WD road, beginning at 10,000 feet elevation. After climbing the 2,000 feet lush forests and meadows, the end point will be the alpine lake and timberline, all accessible for basic hikers. Getting into advanced hiking however, hikers can continue climbing the summit for another 13,297 feet in Mount Herard to catch greater view of the ever-changing sand dunes. While longer enough, the drive for the next destination by seeing the alpine scenery would be a whole lot of sight worth the climb. Then pushing onwards, you can also have to check the ranger conditions out before getting any further. You may start driving through the Music Pass, which is east from the Highway 69 with a 4.5 mile range located south of Westclife. You’ll then come to encounter the “T” junction when turning left to reach South Colony Road. At the end of the passage on the right, another Music Pass sign is seen where 2WD drivers can find the Rainbow Trail across, walking a distance of 3.5 miles.

Well, that is unquestionably tough and wild hiking experience ever brought to you by http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/hiking.htm. Good luck and enjoy the challenge of hiking while envisioning a breathtaking sand dune experience at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Ranger programs are also known as interesting activities for tourists to not only enjoy exploring the place but also having the knowledge of taking good care to nature and endangered forms of wildlife. Most Ranger Programs are offered in the Baca Community, which is just located north of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve’s vicinity.

Tours and Conservation Programs Exposed

One example is the program offering K-12 Education Programs that are available in the whole year round though can only be experienced through early reservations for much special offers and freebies. This first education program include a hands-on unearthing of the sand dunes as well as the forest and wet lands, seasonably present plus the regular classroom visits, available during the winter season. However, in Bison tours, you can take a drink at the brilliant water of the Dollar Lake (consider also the name itself, as it equalizes its worth and grace), where these tours also include a glimpse to majestic animals of the wild, only offered by the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

The Environment Buddies

With couple of environmental partners, the Nature Conservancy helps the preservation of the National Park as it also protects its dune system and biodiversity. Having it managed in over 1,000 bison, the Conservancy-owned grasslands are all within the National Park where Bison Tours are managed also to certain factors such as the weather patterns because of the careful preservation of the lands. However, 4ED tours and Led hayride or during the warmer months, the bison managers are responsible for the touring ceremonies, but uniquely speaking, they are the ones to show hidden wonders of the Pak, which most visitors are unable to witness. So, it would be once in a lifetime chance due to filled schedules when you lack out of date. It’s then a need to reserve a tour for many getaways.

Contributions of Nature Conservancy

For the best out of the best ideas after the tiring yet challenging tours, good thing there’s Nature Conservancy Tours of the Zapata Ranch that offers the best ranch experience on its historical ranch rooms and other areas of lodging. You got to check your schedule right away to spare a day for these touring ideas especially during the spring and summer season in year 2010. Come and think of having a vacation and a tricky voyage plus an offer of nature-friendly deals.

Travel to exotic places would pay you a lifetime of memorable sights, all preserved by the Nature Conservancy. Journeys may highlight the works that are part of the best “last places” on earth, allowing people to connect with nature and learn about the basic local conservation efforts plus their love to the escape in outdoors. The latest journeys may cover travels by cars or other vehicles just right for climatic changes, omitting the dirt-emitting ones to avoid damaging of the ozone. Get into more exciting trips and adventure plans on your next travel only at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Tours! Be updated on tours regarding people and nature by having a review on http://www.nature.org/aboutus/travel/. Have a safe trip!

There can be no other satisfying travel without the perfect rest done after plus convenient areas and smooth access complying with customer needs. That is also the reason why Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve stay in good recommendations because of it various lodging offers, all worth the stay and price. Here are the best lodging ideas found only at the park:

1. Worrying to travel much distance, the first place guaranteed is the Pinyon Flats Campground which is just 1 mile north from the Park’s Visitor Center. It is all set to comply with lavatory needs having sinks, flush toilets and dishwashing sinks too. Each campsite has picnic tables and fire grates, perfect for bonding and toasting while some also are surrounded by conifer trees and cottonwood for providing ample shade. The campground has 44 sites for each of the two camp loops; all open for one-year round where each can have a six-people capacity and can also comply with space to 2 additional tents and 2 vehicles. Its campsites cost 144 per site/per night plus an offered 50% discount to visitors with Golden Age and Golden Access pass holders but with a first come, first serve basis through the jam-packed reservations before noon on Thursdays to Saturdays between months of May to September.

2. Having a road in good shape, the Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites provide good deals by having the sands firmer than the average due to often wetter conditions in the place. Though some vehicles may also drive through the sandy sections without losing the pressure of the tires. It has 25 campsites within the national preserve along the road and it is all-made accessible without the creek crossings. Taking a picture of its most attractive times, the autumn season gets the most of reservations but beware of the hunters.

3. Enjoying much peaceful environment, the Great Sand Dunes Lodge definitely offers a wide span of astonishing views of nature seen in the San Luis Valley plus the variety of sand dune formations letting it appear as center of attraction because of its heightened details. Aside from that, comfortable rooms are featured with private patios, telephone, wireless Internet and satellite television plus a reward for the stomachs by walking a short distance to the nearby restaurant. Now only that, activities at the lodge would include hiking and exploring the fabulous dunes at the Zapata Falls, exploring hiking trails and soaking in hot springs. The Great Sand Dunes Lodge would be found at the 16-mile marker travelling Highway 150 at the Park entrance.

4. Now on the Fourth spot, you can also have to try the Zapata Ranch’s historical ranch rooms that are recently identified for great food accommodations and lodging near the area of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve all offered to inclusive guests planning to stay overnight. Included in the lodging are chances of variety of food specialties prepared by the staff chef, wireless internet, guest computer sets, private rooms with complete baths and other useful facilities. Room rates range from $200 to $300 per night with double occupancy, price assured as worth the stay.

5. The Oasis campground and Hotel is another place perfect for foreseeing the spectacular view of Great Sand Dunes and the San Luis Valley plus horseback riding and 30-minute golfing activities all in a package in the 4 camper cabins, 2 motel rooms, most units with king and queen size beds at lodging rates with up to $89 on-season offers and tent sites $18 per night accessible for two.

6. Then finally, travelling only 15 minutes west from the Park, you can instantly reach the modern campground at San Luis State Park having 51 campsites present with electrical hookups, fire grills and nearby water hydrants plus available dump stations. Having a panoramic view of San Luis Valley and the surrounding Mountain Ranges of Sangre de Cristo and the Great Sand Dunes.

What are you waiting for? Try these lodging offers all available and best-experienced in seasons! For more of updated details, you can also try to visit http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/lodging.htm.

This map represents a natural area of 150,000 acres alongside regions of San Luis Valley and Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve covers 60,700 hectare desert surroundings including plenty of habitats to wildlife and other plant species. With the tallest and longest stretch of sand rising up to 750 feet above the valley bed, it was then established as a National Park in 2004 having best-ever formations of sand dunes as a visitor attraction. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve plus the bleak ghost forest make it the strangest of all discoveries.