Great Sands National Park - Colorado

A sandbox of epic proportions, the entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles.

The park contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising about 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range, covering about 19,000 acres. 

One of the most unusual features of the park happens at Medano Creek, which borders the east side of the dunes and is located next to the Visitor Center.  Because fresh sand continually falls in the creek, Medano Creek never finds a permanent and stable streambed. Small underwater sand dunes that act like dams continually form and break down, and so waders in the stream see surges—which look like waves—of water flowing downstream at intervals of anywhere from just a few seconds to a minute or more.

Here a couple walks towards Medano Creek with snow still atop the mountain in the background.  In summer, mid-day sand surface temperatures can soar to 150 F but average daytime highs are only in the 80's.  

Hiking the dunes is a favorite past time for visitors. Hiking to the top is about 3-miles long and hikers will be rewarded with great views.

The other favorite past time is surfing the dunes.  You can rent boards at most of the local campgrounds. 

The dunes were formed from sand and soil deposits of the Rio Grande and its tributaries, flowing through the San Luis Valley. Over the ages, glaciers feeding the river and the vast lake that existed upon the valley melted, and the waters evaporated.

Sand Ramp Trail Hike 

Begin hiking the Sand Ramp Trail in Loop 2 of the campground.

Most of the trail is naturally sand.  

You cross the creek a couple of times during the hike. 

This marker indicates the direction to the Dunes Overlook and Point of No Return. 

The views of the Dunes are impressive.

We didn't hike up into the Dunes but if you do, it is recommended that you hike the ridge of the dunes to make the hike easier. 

Here you can see Medano Creek located on the East side of the Dunes.  

Sometimes we are lucky and capture the true meaning of Natures Beauty.  These photos were taken at the park during sunset.  

Looking West. 

This photo was taken the evening before we departed.  I looked outside and the sun was reflecting on the hillside. 

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - Wild Cat Trail

The Wildcat Trail is the only hiking trail inside the Tribal Park that visitors can hike unescorted by authorized Navajo guides.

The Wildcat Trail begins just past the Navajo Tribal Park visitor center by the edge of a large, flat parking area at the edge of an escarpment.

The first part of the path winds a few hundred feet down a gently sloping hillside towards West Mitten Butte, about one mile away.

 A mile or two further, and to the left are the wider cliffs of Sentinel Mesa, while the horizon in the far distance is largely featureless.

The Trail allows for inspection of this rock from all angles, even if the surrounding landscape looks similar all along the one to two hour journey.

Merrick Butte rises ever more prominently ahead as the path curves around the West Mitten Butte, revealing its top to be a thin narrow ridge rather than the wide, rounded peak that appears from the south, the normal viewing angle.

On the far side, the trail runs for a while along a larger dry wash, then soon turns back northwest, now over even flatter ground that gives the first good view of a group of little-visited rocks to the north, including Big Indian, Saddleback and Castle Butte. These are several miles away, but rather closer is the tall span of Sentinel Mesa that comes into view directly ahead.

The hikes continues along a stream bed as you begin your return trip,

The toughest part of the return hike is along the hilly portion of sand.  You really work your legs to get up the 10-15 percent grade. 

We hiked the 4-mile trail at 24 minutes per mile.  We used Kathy's phone app to track our progress. 

The hike is completed by a walk along a short climb back to the trail junction, from where the starting point is a little way further up the hill.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Since we were out west and not knowing if we would ever pass this way again, we decided to visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  The scenery in the park was simply amazing.  

We decided to take the 17-mile scenic drive throughout the valley.

This photo shows the East and West Mittens. 

Merrick Butte

Elephant Butte

This shows Three Sisters.  Looks like the one in the middle is on a diet.

Movie Producer John Ford's Point.  He produce several Westerns here starring "John Wayne." 

Sunrise Camel Butte

The Hub

Totem Poles

Balanced Rock.  Every park has one. 

Artist Point

Cly Butte

The window 

The View Hotel.  Great Sunrises!

The Duke himself.  From 1925-2007 a total of 53 movies were shot at Monument Valley. 

Forrest Gump Starring Tom Hanks - 1993.

National Lampoon's Vacation starring Chevy Chase 1983.  

Valley of the Gods

Rock formations are places of power in which spirits reside, and the formations in the Valley of the Gods are some of the most distinctive.  These imposing monoliths are Navajo warriors frozen in stone, who can be appealed to for protection. They are guardians whose power and strength aid young serviceman going to war.   

A 17-mile loop through the Valley of the Gods.  Kathy did all the driving.  

The Valley of the Gods and the Moki Dugway are popular filming locations because of its classic "Western" look.  

Filming projects include still shots and moving film for commercial ads, major motion pictures. and events such as the Marlboro Adventure team and hot air balloon rides. 

Background shots for the Play Station game were also taken here.  

Mexican Hat Area

These are photos taken near Mexican Hat, Utah. 

The mountain sculpture is fascinating.  

The colors are beautiful to see.

This was taken after we left the Valley of the Gods on the road back to Monument Valley.