Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
Thanks guys! :victory:
Medano Pass & The Great Sand Dunes 5-2010
- Thread starter Backwoods Rambler
- Start date
Overland Hadley
on a journey
About how deep are the water crossings going up the pass in the late summer?
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
My understanding is that Medano Creek is fed by spring/summer snowmelt and that late in the summer, the levels are very low and sometimes completely dry.
deadbeat son
Explorer
An update for anyone interested, I drove to the pass yesterday and it was closed. Evidently there is a small forest fire in the area, and the road is closed from Medano Pass south to Castle Creek. We drove around to the main entrance of the park and camped. I spoke with a ranger, and he said there were some trees fallen over the road. After the crews get the fires put out, they'll clear the road. He expects it to re-open in about 4-5 days.
Larry
Bigassgas Explorer
Medano Pass on Fire
So I have been sitting here from my home office window watching smoke pour off the mountains all afternoon. Finally, the news started broadcasting that there is a big fire burning at the Sand Dunes National Park. They have coined it the “Medano Fire”. The park is still open but Medano Pass is closed. There is so much smoke I cannot see the mountains from here in Pueblo West.
I certainly hope gets out quickly as this the Sand Dunes area is so beautiful.
News links:
http://www.krdo.com/news/23938447/detail.html
http://www.newsfirst5.com/news/heavy-smoke-pours-into-rye/
So I have been sitting here from my home office window watching smoke pour off the mountains all afternoon. Finally, the news started broadcasting that there is a big fire burning at the Sand Dunes National Park. They have coined it the “Medano Fire”. The park is still open but Medano Pass is closed. There is so much smoke I cannot see the mountains from here in Pueblo West.
I certainly hope gets out quickly as this the Sand Dunes area is so beautiful.
News links:
http://www.krdo.com/news/23938447/detail.html
http://www.newsfirst5.com/news/heavy-smoke-pours-into-rye/
deadbeat son
Explorer
Wow, I was told the fire had been burning about a week when I was there last weekend. That means it's been going and growing for almost 2 weeks!
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
Wow, I can't believe this isn't all over the news. What a terrible situation. I hope nobody was (or gets) hurt. I guess I'm glad I got there when I did.
You guys have me sort of worried about doing Medano pass solo, with a truck on all terrain tires, no winch, and pulling a trailer....
I've got a come-a-long and will likely bring a hi-lift jack for recovery. I'd imagine that the mud holes will be drier in two weeks, not to mention the creeks being shallower. We will be going uphill from the dunes.
I cant wait! I was deterred from doing Medano Pass by an early blizzard (to me anyways) the last time I was in the area a couple years ago.
We are also planning to do Hermitt Pass.
I've got a come-a-long and will likely bring a hi-lift jack for recovery. I'd imagine that the mud holes will be drier in two weeks, not to mention the creeks being shallower. We will be going uphill from the dunes.
I cant wait! I was deterred from doing Medano Pass by an early blizzard (to me anyways) the last time I was in the area a couple years ago.
We are also planning to do Hermitt Pass.
Bergger
Explorer
You should have no problem. I have not been down there this year but have done that road twice in the past from both directions. In May-June the river crossings are high and a lot of fun. I made it no problem in my Tacoma that only has a small lift. Last year I did it in August and the water was much lower. I also did it pulling an AT Chaser going from the west side to east side. It's a very very easy pass. The camp sites on the road going up the pass are really nice. Last August we did have some issues with the flies so make sure you have some bug spray. Have fun.
06rubi
New member
Depending on the trailer you should be fine. We did Medano on 6/6/10 (day the fire started) With a bone stock 10 Tacoma, 09 JK Saraha bone stock too, and a 96 4runner with 31" km2's. the only issue we had was the Jeeps electric fan broke. I have towed my M416 behind my Jeep, it does have 32/11.5 bfg at's, over Medano with out a problem. Just make sure to air down due to the sand.
Hermit is totally doable in a stock truck too. Its kinda tedious due to all the grapefruit sized rocks but the views are totally worth it!
Have fun and post up your pics after you get back!
Looks like we have a babysitter for munchkin so, we arent bringing the trailer. I wanted to build some rails to support Mr. Leary's RTT, but going to pass on that too. Just going to tent camp.:sombrero: Lighter load anyways!
Cant wait!
Cant wait!
esh
Explorer
I was just over Medano a couple weeks ago. They had just reopened the road from the fire. It is weirdly fire-clean and smells pretty bad for a few miles dropping down to the dunes. Doesn't really get green until just before the dunes. Water is all thick black wet goo. Had a few spots of downhill momentum runs through some slop it but it wasn't bad. Part of that was from all the storms coming through.
Just another awesome scenery change on a 3 week Colorado trip!
July 30-
Just another awesome scenery change on a 3 week Colorado trip!
July 30-