On a lovely early September day, we took Medano Pass heading west and south into the back and more remote side of Great Sand Dunes National Park.
The meadows and mountains were absolutely spectacular along this route.
The aspens were juuuuuust starting to have their leaves fade toward gold. Fall is approaching quickly in the high country of Colorado.
The sand makes the driving more smooth than most mountain pass 4×4 roads in Colorado.
A classic “Don’t be an idiot in the park” sign warning drivers to go slowly through creek crossings.
Through magical, enchanted woods.
Heading into the first creek crossing. The water levels were low enough to not give us any concern.
The afternoon sun made the understory stunning.
Into the fire scar area.
Big burn scars in this part of the park.
Having fun in a creek crossing.
Entering the national park proper.
The sand is getting deeper and looser.
Big dunes on the horizon.
Another “Don’t be an idiot in the park” sign.
Mountains of sand.
Going through the last portion of the 4×4 trail, we encountered a Subaru WRX wallowed deep in the sand. It was too deep for us to extract so we went on to the pavement and found a park ranger. The park was going to send a truck out to extract the wayward Subaru. The stuck WRX was past the “Point of No Return” meaning that they could suffer a large fine for not being able to self-extract.