We left Elk Creek Campground in Gunnison on September 20th just as the Aspens were turning their golden color. We decided to spend a
few days at The Great Sand Dunes N.P. near Alamosa, Colorado. In early spring, water trickles down as the snow melts in the Sangre de Cristo mountains leaving up to a foot of water in the Medano Creek.
During April, May, and June Medano Creek becomes a tourist attaction with kids
spashing in the muddy creek and teens water-boarding. By mid-July the water dries up and the dunes become the new attaction. We managed to nearly climb
the "Top Dune" which took almost three hours.
There are over 30 miles of sand dunes.
We hiked the 8 mile/round trip trail to Mosco Pass from the campground. (Elevation 9,750')
It was long used by the Native American Indians for passage through the Sangre de Cristo mountains and later used as a toll road between 1870 and 1890.
