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Here is a photo gallery of my hike to Star Dune, the
highest dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Star Dune is located on
the west side of the park, and its large pointy shape can be clearly seen from Highway
150 while approaching the park.
My hike begins with me standing on the
summit of High Dune,
which I climbed first from the main parking lot. |
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From High Dune, this was the view looking out towards Star Dune,
the pointed dune to the left. What an adventure it was getting out there! |
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After running down High Dune, I turned back to snap this photo.
You can see my foot prints in the dune and the two gentleman
(visiting from India) standing at High Dune. Their presence gives perspective
with understanding how large these dunes are. |
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I went down and up two small valleys before
approaching Star Dune. I
chose to hike on the ridge to the right, which brought me to the very steep but
doable eastern face of Star Dune. |
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A nice shot of Mt. Herard (alt. 13,297 feet). |
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Getting closer! Notice the
two sets of foot prints from other hikers. Don't be deceived,
once that ridge softens off, one still has quite a way to go ... and it's a steep incline! :p) |
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Near the top, I was so ecstatic! :) |
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At the summit of Star Dune, facing east. |
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Looking towards the west and the
San Luis Valley. |
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What a workout it was to make it to Star Dune!
Adjacent is a self-portrait. :) |
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Heading back, I traveled south through a
dune valley that eventually led me to the Medano Creek bed,
but I was about a mile or two away from the visitor center and parking lot. I was told some who plan to go
directly to Star Dune walk down the creek bed (from the parking lot) and then go up
a dune valley, as opposed to my visiting High Dune and then traveling straight west to Star Dune.
Either way is doable. The adjacent photo is the view looking back at Star Dune as I traveled south down
its main valley.
Photos by Steve Garufi in Buena Vista, Colorado.
His web site: www.ColoradoGuy.com Twitter:
@SteveGarufi. |
