The weather was beautiful in Colorado on Thanksgiving. So I decided to make the long drive to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve where I did my Thanksgiving hike on the dunes. There were quite a few other people at the Dunes as well. I was able to avoid most of the people by taking a more challenging route up the sand dunes. I climbed High Dune first. Although there were plenty of footprints on top, I had the top of High Dune to myself.
 |
| San Juan Mountains in the distance |
 |
| Approaching High Dune. Mt Herard on the left |
 |
| Me on top High Dune |
 |
| Me looking at Star Dune from High Dune |
From the top of High Dune, I could see a couple of people on top of Star Dune. I had hiked to the top of Star Dune once before, but I had not done High Dune and Star Dune in the same day before. The weather was nice. It was not too windy, cold, or hot. I also felt good, and I had plenty of time. So I decided to head in that direction and see what happens. After an enjoyable hike across the dunes, I made it to the top of Star Dune and had lunch.
 |
| Looking back at High Dune from the top of Star Dune |
 |
| Looking south from the top of Star Dune |
 |
| Looking west across the San Luis Valley |
 |
| Me on top of Star Dune |
 |
| Another shot of me on top of Star Dune |
After lunch, I worked my way off the dunes by heading towards Medano Creek. The creek bed was dry when I got to it. I followed the creek bed upstream towards the day use area where I was parked. I came across a herd of elk. I watched the bull shepherd the herd around me. It was beautiful site.
 |
| Looking back at Star Dune with some 14ers barely visible |
 |
| A herd of elk in the creek bed for Medano Creek |
 |
| The elk being shepherded around me |
 |
| Elk and Mt. Herard |
 |
| Elk and the Dunes |
 |
| The elk working their way back to the creek bed |
 |
| Elk Tracks |
After watching the elk, I found the current place where Medano Creek disappears into the sand. After another mile of hiking, I made it back to my car. I was a bit tired from the walking in the sand for four plus hours, but it was a good hike.
 |
| The flow terminus for Medano Creek |
 |
| Medano Creek, Mt. Herard, and the Dunes |
