Tom's National Park Adventure

I left Cuba, MO Tuesday heading for Colorado. I spent the evening in Ford County State Park, just outside of Dodge City, Kansas.

I was up early and drove to The Great Sand Dunes National Park in southeastern Colorado.

I arrived early enough to visit the visitors center, find my campsite in Pinion Flats Campground and get set up.

The park area was given national monument status in 1932 and became a national park in 2004.

There are three different eco systems contained in the park. It is possible to stand at an overlook and see all three at the same time.

Alpine Forest, Sand Dunes and high desert scrub.

The sand dunes in the park are the tallest sand dunes in North America.

It took a very long time for them to evolve. Time, wind and water all came together to create them.

The western edge of San Luis Valley is bordered with the San Juan Mountains. On the eastern edge of the park , the Sangre de Cristo Mountains lie. The valley was originally a large lake that evaporated over time leaving large sand deposits. The wind from the southwest pushed the sand up against the mountains to the east. The wind that blows through the mountain passes out of the northeast pushed that sand back down against itself creating the sand dunes.

After getting Ethyl all settled in, I was able to take a hike to the Dunes Overlook point. A little over two miles and an elevation gain of over 500 feet! I was definitely out of breath when I got to the observation point! the lowest elevation in the park is about 8,000 above sea level. The high altitude takes a bit to get used to when you’re hiking!

Today I am going to hike out and explore the dunes up close!