Moffat County Library, Craig Colorado
Much as Lewis & Clark had explored the northern portion of the Louisiana Purchase, Lieutenant Zebulon Pike was given the job of exploring the southern portion. [Click once to enlarge; press ESC to return here.]
The access road to Great Sand Dunes Natl Park is off of US160 near the base of Mt Blanca, a 14,435' peak which the Navajos claim as a boundary of their original territory in Colorado.
Once the Ute Indians acquired horses, which they initially called "Magic Dogs," they were able to keep virtually all intruders out of the San Luis Valley from 1598 to 1851.
A first view of the tallest sand dunes in the United States as well as the Colorado Rockies; one of the snow-capped peaks may be the one named for Lt Zebulon Pike. There are four fourteeners and four thirteeners in the massif, or connected series of peaks. Another in addition to Blanca Peak is Crestone Peak (14,294').
A plaque notes that the sand dunes are visible from a great distance -- even if they are only a tan blur.
A closer view of the sand dunes -- this time from the lowest road in the park service campground. Since there are quite a few things for children to do, this park attracts many visitors who have families. [This is one national park campground where it might be prudent to pay a bit extra to reserve a site.]
As the evening shadows lengthened, I took another shot of the upper end of the dunes from the Pinyon Flats campground.
Panning left....
Another view with better light on the dunes, which contain some insects found nowhere else on earth. Since the sand is 150 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, forget the Flip-Flops -- bring thick-soles, closed-toe shoes and walk the dunes early in the morning or in the evening.
These clouds don't mean anything -- right?? Wrongo, Snow-shower breath!! The next morning the light scattered rain became a heavy wet snow just as I packed up. I skipped the 20-min film at the Visitor Center and headed for US160. The snow on the top of my camper didn't really start to melt til after I arrived on that highway and headed for the Fort Garland Post Office.
Links:
- National Park Service website for Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Wikipedia article on the Great Sand Dunes Park & Preserve
- National Geographic Road Trip of the San Luis Valley
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W 5 Jun Actual Route: Rawlins, WY, Truck Stop bd - Rawlins P.O. - Rawlins Lib - Colo Hwy 13 bd
Th 6 Jun Actual Route: Colo Hwy 13 bd - Craig, CO, Lib - Craig Walmart
F 7 Jun Actual Route: Craig Walmart - Craig, CO, Lib - Marybell Lib - Dinosaur Lib - CO64 bd
Sa 8 Jun Actual Route: CO64 bd - Dinosaur - Jensen, UT, Dinosaur Natl Mon - Green River NPS CG
Su 9 Jun Actual Route: Green River NPS CG - Josie Morris Cabin - Jensen Utah Welcome Ctr - Valera - Roosevelt - Unitah Crk - Valera Walmart
M 10 Jun Actual Route: Valera, UT, W/M - Flaming Gorge Natl Rec Area - Mann's USFS CG
T 11 Jun Actual Route: Mann's USFS CG - Manila - Green River, WY, Lib - Rock Springs Walmart
W 12 Jun Actual Route: Rock Springs W/M - Rock Sprs Lib - Farson - South Pass bd
Th 13 Jun Actual Route: South Pass bd Lander USFS Ranger Sta - Sinks Cyn USFS CG
F 14 Jun Route: Sinks Cyn CG - Lander Lib - Ft Washakie - Arapahoe - Riverton Walmart
Finding Campgrounds:
- RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
- Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
- Free campsites website
- Info on finding BLM Campgrounds
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