I thought of continuing on my travelogue. Here is a description about a place I visited.
Remember how you loved rolling in sand as a kid! Growing up seems to have robbed you of all such simple pleasures. Don’t you sometimes want to play with water, soar on swings, turn over on grass, or just make sand castles? While you cannot do most of these things today, there are still some fun activities that can make you feel like a kid again. An example can be “Rolling down the sand mounds”.
Go to the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve where you can feel like a kid again. It’s like a huge sandbox where you can run up the 700-ft-high dunes just to roll down. And if you have the adventure streak, try hiking these sand hills. Surprisingly, hiking at the top of the ridge lines is easier here than along the sides. Go a little further onto the dunes and you’ll be convinced that you are in the Sahara.
You don’t need to go far to experience all this, if you are in the “MILEHI” city of Denver. Within four hours drive from Denver, these dunes come up as a complete surprise on the plains of south-central Colorado, right at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo range. The view from the top of the dunes is simply dramatic. On one side of you are the high mountains (white in winters) and on the other, sand seems to stretch forever.
It is said the dunes started to form about 12, 000 years ago when the swollen Rio Grande spread sand across the San Luis Valley. For thousands of years, prevailing westerly winds have come over the Rockies and down over the river flood plain, picking up sand particles on the way. These are then deposited at the east edge of the valley before the wind rises to cross the “Sangre de Cristo” mountains. The process continues and the dunes are still being gradually enlarged by the wind. However, the winds do not carry sand from the dunes, mainly because of the moisture. It is only because of this moisture that the sand dunes look just the same every time you come here. Back home, people in Rajasthan say never use sand dunes to remember the directions as they keep changing their contours and height due to strong winds. But not here, the moisture here acts as a stabilizer and these sand dunes do not lose their shapes. Another advantage of the moisture is that you can make sand castles very easily, as on a beach.
You can find sand deserts in Arizona and California, too, but nothing quite like the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado. Nestled in southern Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes are America’s tallest dunes, rising over 700 feet high. In the backdrop of snow covered Rocky Mountains, they present a picture of sharp contrast. Shaped by wind and spread over an area of 30 sq miles, these dunes are generally referred to as geologic wonderland.
<b>Picture of Contrast </b>
You can approach the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve in two ways: west from Mosca or from the south along CO 150. After a dull landscape of flat dusty farmland with scattered settlements, the dunes become visible from some distance across the flat valley floor. Then you will come across the visitor center, after which a short spur road leads to the main access point to the park.
It is permitted to walk anywhere and one popular target is the top of the tallest dune, which conveniently is only half a mile from the edge. Still, the journey takes up to one hour and it is often a case of one step up, half a step down. The surface temperature of the sand can rise to over 140 F, much too hot for barefoot walking.(So, don’t go without your sneakers). It is also advisable to carry water.
Though the dunes are not known for their flora or fauna, you can find some 20 species of plants (pinon pine, juniper) and several more of animals (rabbits, mule deer) and birds (like the green-tailed towhee) in the natural trails.
<b>May I Recommend </b>
If possible, spend at least a few minutes hiking on the dunes. If you have more time, there are nature trails and longer trails and routes. In winter, its icy stillness is lovely! Photographing the dunes, especially in late afternoon when the shadows deepen, is rewarding. Wildlife sightings are common. Recent observations include mule deer, elk, coyotes, golden and bald eagles, ravens, magpies, and, just outside park boundaries, bison. Keep wildlife wild! Never feed wild animals--it’s dangerous for you and unhealthy for them!
<b>Operating Hours, Seasons </b>
The monument is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visitor center opens daily, except for the winter holidays.
<b>Weather & Climate </b>
In fall, winter, and spring, expect moderate daytime temperatures and freezing to sub-zero temperatures at night. Summer temperatures during the day average 70 to 80 degrees, lows may drop to 40 degrees. Sand temperatures can reach 140 degrees in summer.
<b>Entrance Fee </b>
$3 for 7 Days (per person 17 and older)
$10 for Annual Pass (good for the holder and everyone in the same car for one year from the month of purchase)
<b>Getting There </b>
By Car: 35 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado, reached by US Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 150 from the south.or from Colorado Highway 17 and County Six Mile Lane from the west.
By Bus: Greyhound Bus Lines serve Alamosa and Blanca, CO, but do not enter the park.
<b>For more Information </b>
Contact Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
11500 Highway 150
Mosca, CO 81146-9798
https://nps.gov/grsa/index.htm
Hope y’all liked it. Pour in your comments
Have a nice day & thanks for stopping by!
inquizitor