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Fri |
Pueblo, CO to Great Sand Dunes NP Camp at NP |
Stop at Lathrop State Park to check out the well-manicured state park system and to buy a Colorado fishing license and a State Park permit. Then on to the Dunes, dude. Once at Sand Dunes, hike to overlook from the campsite. It is rather bizarre to see 750 foot piles of sand at the foot of 13,000 foot solid stone mountains. The dunes exist because of the unusual wind patterns that trap the sand blown in from the valley floor. Probably the best feature and one the rangers rave about is that the stars are so bright here that they almost leave shadows – positively amazing that you could wear sunglasses at night and still see the stars. |
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Sat |
Stay at NP |
Climb the dune to the second highest peak. Have you ever flown a kite on a 750 foot dune? I had to try. It wasn't easy or pretty, but it was done. The wind up there is very choppy, very strong, and ground hugging so flying was all but impossible. The dunes are forever changing shape but they are not moving or even changing volume. At least for now they are in a strange steady-state. I believe the volume calculation is enough to pave a fifth of the state of Colorado in 6 inches of the sand. Later in the day hike to Zapata Falls, not that great but tucked into a very tight canyon/cave. Rain showers in afternoon. |