Great Sand Dunes National Monument

Trip Report - December 7th, 1996

by Marty Vyn Boennighausen

Legend says that if you find yourself at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument during a full moon, you might just be one of the lucky ones to see the wild stallions gracefully galloping in the sand, manes and tails flying in the wind. Don't expect to ever catch one, or if you do catch one, be prepared to go where mortal man is not often invited. You might even find yourself asking, "Was it really there, or was it just the ever shifting sand?" Listen carefully and hear the whispering, singing voice of the dunes. It is said that many a prospector wandered into the dunes, never to be seen again!

Maybe these stallions are the ancestors of the horses brought to Colorado by the Spanish conquistadors back in the 1500's. Maybe those who see them, have been here before.

The dunes are great fun to climb on. If you want to go to the top of one of them, be prepared for plenty of exercise. Have a blast jumping and sliding down the dunes. Some adventurers have even been known to carry their skis to the top and ski down!

If you arrive on a hot day in the summer, expect the sand to be "burning hot" and plan appropriately. (The sand itself can reach temperatures of 140 degrees f..) Bring good "sand hiking shoes", plenty of water, and of course, sun screen.

Great Sand Dunes National Monument has a beautiful Visitor's Center which is open all year around. Camping is available in the Pinyon Flats campground, offering 88 sites. There are plenty of hikes and nature walks available for all.

Located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, at the base of the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, these are the biggest and tallest sand dunes in America, reaching to over 700 feet high. The valley floor is at about 8,000 feet above sea level. To reach the Great Sand Dunes from Westcliffe, Colorado go south on route 69 to Walsenburg. Then, go west on route 160, north on 150, and follow the road signs to the "Dunes".

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