Ok, so when you think Colorado most people think of skiing, snow boarding, hiking, camping, etc...I have never run across someone who says "Oh, I think of sand dunes when I think of Colorado!" That's because in many circles, the tallest sand dunes in the U.S. are a well kept secret!
The Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO
My husband and I had the privilege of accidentally coming across the sand dunes on our way to Durango, Colorado. A sign read as we were driving.."Great Sand Dunes National Park, turn right." What? Really? In Colorado!!...Ok...well we took that right, winded the next 10+ miles around to what we found out were the tallest sand dunes, 750 feet in some places, in the United States.
I remember that it was slightly cool when we were there. Snow still on the ground in places...me in a sweat shirt and flip flops and hubby in a winter jacket. However, as we begin to hike up those dunes...it started to get hot...its a lot harder than it looks, hiking those dunes! I took off my flip flops and walked up bare foot. The sand on my toes felt great...our little detour was ending up to be a fabulous adventure!
After our climb we headed to the
museum/information center/gift shop to see what else we could learn. Turns out the dunes are surrounded by two streams that continuously bring the sand back down the mountain. The wind beats up against the mountains, bringing with it the sand and dust from the desert floor that the dunes reside in. That constant pounding against the mountain side acts like sand blasting to grind down the dirt to a fine sand. The water run off from the snow bring the fine sand down to the mountain floor with the streams each spring. During the spring the streams flood the area, attracting wildlife from all over, flowers bloom and a coolness sets over the area. As spring gives way to summer. The water dries up leaving cracks along the ground and the dust begins to blow again.
If you are ever in Colorado, check out this amazing section of our beautiful planet.
Great Sand Dunes National Park: http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm
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