| Description: | A hike to break out a drive from Colorado Springs to Durango. I was contemplating about a hike in La Plata Pass but there was not much of trails so we decided to drive ca. 15 miles north of the main highway to check out the dunes, the highest in North America. The dunes are on the east side of the large San Luis valley, deposited by prevalent southwest winds. We picked up a map at the visitors center and decided to do a ca. 2 mile loop from the visitors center to the campground and back. Since this loop goes on the edge of the dunes, we ended up walking to the easternmost high dune, and then followed the ridge down east. The sand was reasonably firm so walking on it was not too hard, except for the few steep parts. It was cold, probably around 20 F, but, sunny, so, it was alright on the dunes. After running down from the dunes we walked on a ditch trail from the campground to the visitors center, seeing several very furry deer on the way. They probably need the fur for the cold winter there. |
