Great Sand Dunes National Park

We had a couple of hours available to see Great Sand Dunes National Park today on our long road trip. We decided to climb up some of the shorter dunes closer to the mountain. There are no trails in the sand dunes, the park asks that we don't step on the fragile plants, otherwise to have fun exploring. We did about 3 miles round trip with 300 ft of gain.

First we crossed Medano Creek, which was easy today.

After the creek, in some places there is still lots of sand to cross before reaching the dunes.

There are 30 square miles of sand dunes here, the tallest sand dunes in North America are here.

We walked along Medano Creek for about a mile until we reached some of the shorter sand dunes that were closer to the Sangre Cristo Mountains.

Here the sand dunes were closer to the creek and we were able to walk on the firmer sand by the creek.

We then went up and up the sand dunes.

We enjoyed being up on the sand dunes with this fabulous view of the mountains!

So beautiful in all directions!

The footsteps we left in the sand will soon disappear.

We heard galloping, looked down to see 2 horses and their riders along the creek bed.

Beautiful mountain views on the way back.

Fall colors

 

Oak Flat Loop Trail, Uplands Trail, Rim Rock Nature Trail Loop

From the Visitor Center on the south side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park we combined 3 trails to make a  3 mile loop with 480 ft. of overall loss/gain. We started on the Oak Flat Loop Trail, going counterclockwise on that loop. First view of the canyon

Dropping down a short ways into the canyon.

Having part of the canyon walls rise above us as we descend down along the trail.

Enjoying the early fall colors along the trail.

Some areas along the trail had nice open views.

Other areas had partial views into the canyon.

Going back up on the loop.

Hiking through the oak trees.

More views of the canyon as we continue up the Oak Flat Loop Trail.

Last look of the canyon before we head up the Uplands Trail from the Oak Flat Loop Trail.

A couple of views along the Uplands Trail which joins the Oak Flat Loop Trail with the Rim Rock Nature Trail.

First look at the canyon as we head down the Rim Rock Nature Trail from the Uplands Trail.

Tree growing on the edge of the canyon rim.

Views along the Rim Rock Nature Trail

I walked out on this rocky outcropping for a couple of photos.

 

Cedar Point

Our second stop on the south side of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was the short Cedar Point Trail, 1/3 mile round trip. There are two viewpoints at the end of the trail. We went to the one to the right first. Looking west

Wide angle view of the Painted Wall directly across the canyon

Looking down to the bottom of the canyon

Views to the west from the view area on the left at the end of the trail

 

Dragon Point

Today we drove to the South side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and did a variety of short hikes. The first one was to Dragon Point, about 0.1 mile round trip. View from the parking area

Wide angle view from the end of the trail

view down to the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison looking west

 

The Narrows View

Before leaving the North Rim at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, we stopped ate the Narrows View (at most a 0.1 mile round trip walk).  Here are views to the narrowest section of the canyon which can be seen looking towards the east.

View looking 1,800 ft down into the canyon

view to the west