Day Two at The Great Sand Dunes was the day to hike up the sand mountains. I didn’t have any destination in mind, instead just wanted to see how far I could get. And make sure I had opportunities to sled back down! So with my bright red sled in hand, off I went.
This sled has been with with through three sand parks now. It’s first ride was a White Sands NP at the beginning of my trip when my new friendships were just beginning. Then it came to Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP, through the whipping wind and pelting sand, when I reconnected with Crystal. And now here, on the tan sand in Colorado as I begin my journey home. Maybe I’ll test it in the Vermont snow next?
Through the campground and down to the creek we traveled, splashing through the shallow water flowing along. Then into the soft sand, scouting out a route. Each step in the soft sand was like two steps, it pushing and twisting under my feet. I had read that hiking the ridges would be easier, harder pack, so up I went. My sled acted like a nice hiking pole, helping me along.
Well, the ridges and tops are harder, but not hard. And as soon as you conquer one baby dune, another one lies ahead. Or even better, sometimes a dip and then a rise. The dunes undulated for miles in every direction, a surprise awaits at each summit.
The trek was difficult, but I had picked a high peak in the distance and nothing was going to stop me. So although my quad muscles were burning, my calves crying for help and my lungs working over time, I continued 100 steps at a time. That was all my body could take before a rest, a chance to sit and admire the scenery. A chance to acknowledge how far is climbed already. The campground was disappearing the in distances the wide creek becoming a thin string. Then upwards I would go, inching closer one step at a time.
And finally, after one more push, I was there, at the very peak, high above the the creek. Two fellow climbers were already nearby, but I was alone at my vista and sat down to catch my breath and soak on the views. Looking out into the dune field, more sand rose and fell towards the mountains and towards the meadow. Waves of sand in every direction. There was a gently breeze, the sun at my back, and I rested. It was marvelous, a landscape to explore and get lost in.
Behind me the mountains rose and the trees covered the hillside. The sand dunes stopped at the water and the sun continued to climb into the blue sky. Equally beautiful, but in a very different way.
Eventually I was all alone at the summit, and I wandered around a bit, taking photos at different angles. The sand creating attractive shapes and structures. Then, it was times to slide.
I hope you enjoy the videos as much as I enjoyed each attempted to get down. The undulating dunes provided multiples opportunities to use the sled, but none of them were very long, fast, or successful. No matter how much wax, the sand fought back. Grainier and thicker than the other parks, it did not want to cooperate. And yet I had the time of my life laughing at myself and my failed attempts.
Sometimes I started slow and sped up hopefully, only to quickly stop. Other times I had to push along to get going. Certain places the sand to soft, other areas not steep enough. It was a wild and hilarious experiment!
I did have short patches of success, and lots of laughs along the way. And it totally beat hiking down! Next time I’ll rent an official sand board though, I think.
Eventually back at the creek, the sled served as a nice seat while I soaked my hot feet in the cool water. I made drippy castles with the damp sand like I did with my sister as a child and enjoyed listening to the water flow around me.
Lunch eventually called my name and I headed up the path to the campground. I hung out here for the rest of the day. Took shelter when the thunderstorm and rain did roll through that day. And later watched the sunset over the dunes. A truly fun filled day of new things and new challenges.
Tonelli's Travels 