Southwest Road Trip Part 4 – Great Sand Dunes National Park
We’re big fans of sand dunes so it should not come as a shock that Great Sand Dunes National Park would be on our list. I had been there before as a kid back when I lived in Colorado, back when I didn’t know what it was like to be able to go to the beach for the weekend. My memory, like most of my childhood memories is vague yet includes a distinct feeling of excitement. It’s no wonder as sand dunes are like a giant sand box, an infinite playground.
If you follow the blog consistently, you might recall our trip to Panamint Dunes around New Years. There’s a lot to contrast between that trip and this one. Since Great Sand Dunes is a National Park it’s less desolate and much easier to get to. In fact, after the dirt roads of New Mexico and the off-roading we did in the previous parts of this trip, Great Sand Dunes was luxurious. Compared to Panamint Dunes when we had to hike a ways with the dunes off in the distance whereas you can park right near the Great Sand Dunes and spend most of your energy hiking up them. And spend energy you will. Hiking up hills made of sand is no walk in the park especially when the wind is blowing sand in your face, especially when you’re hiking to the summit at sunset which we were, of course, because we like suffering extremely cold feet in exchange for pretty photos. The sand on the shady side of the dunes was cold and upward progress was slow, there may have been some complaining on my part but all was forgotten when we reached the summit and got to run and jump downhill.
Thanks for stopping by, we really enjoyed this last leg of our Southwest Road Trip. There is so much to see that choosing how to spend our time is always the hardest part. This is definitely a place we will visit again.
If you missed the other parts of this road you can view them here:
Other favorite places in the Southwest:
We’re Marc and Brenda, husband and wife adventurers and photographers specializing in capturing people in nature. So get outside and let us know how we can help! Getting married?! Be sure to contact us!
