Medano Pass to the Great Sand Dunes

 

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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.

 

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The meadows and mountains were absolutely spectacular along this route.

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The aspens were juuuuuust starting to have their leaves fade toward gold.  Fall is approaching quickly in the high country of Colorado.

 

 

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The sand makes the driving more smooth than most mountain pass 4×4 roads in Colorado.

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A classic “Don’t be an idiot in the park” sign warning drivers to go slowly through creek crossings.

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Through magical, enchanted woods.

 

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Heading into the first creek crossing.  The water levels were low enough to not give us any concern.

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The afternoon sun made the understory stunning.

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Into the fire scar area.

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Big burn scars in this part of the park.

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Having fun in a creek crossing.

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Entering the national park proper.

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The sand is getting deeper and looser.

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Big dunes on the horizon.

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Another “Don’t be an idiot in the park” sign.

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Mountains of sand.

 

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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.