High Dune - Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Click any image in the left column to view it at a larger size. A new window will open.	November 4, 2006 - My visit to the Great Sand Dunes happened on quite a beautiful and sunny Colorado day. The temperatue was in the 50's and the wind was light, which are probably the very best conditions for hiking on the sand dunes. The adjacent photo was taken as the sand dunes rose west of the Medano Creek bed.
	Upward I climbed. I put two yellow stars next to people who were way up there on the dunes. See them? :)
	Much of the sand dunes feel very much like a beach, but there are some areas where black pebbles gather in one spot to create interesting color displays.
	Ridges like these are amusing. One can sit with one's legs comfortably hanging over the side.
	Hiking up this hill was particularly painful! :p)
	Way up high on the ridge and approaching High Dune.
	There I am at the summit of High Dune, approximately 650 feet above from the base of the main parking lot for hikers. :)
	A few photos from the top of High Dune. TOP: The view to the east, looking back at the Visitor Center and the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. MIDDLE: The view to the northeast, including Mt. Herard (alt. 13,297 feet). BOTTOM: The view to the north and northwest. The sand dunes go on for quite awhile to the north. From High Dune, I then went on a hiked to the top of Star Dune. Do check it out! :) -Photos by Steve Garufi in Buena Vista, Colorado. His web site is: www.ColoradoGuy.com.

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