Great Sand Dunes National Park

[Dirty Harry]

I was in Denver all week for a conference last month and sitting in the bowels of the Hilton was starting to get to me. I had some tech stuff lined up in Denver, but it all fell through because we were waiting on parts. So I took the opportunity to get out of town and take the scenic route home. I stayed in Canon City on Wednesday night and then went to the Royal Gorge on Thursday morning. The bridge was closed, so I did not get to go across it. The good news was that I didn't have to share the view with the Griswalds and their bratty kids. That is exactly what I was trying to get away from.

 

[Dirty Harry]

From there I drove southwest into the San Luis Valley. The valley lies between the Sangre de Cristo and the San Luis ranges. Winding along the Arkansas River I saw lots of people fly fishing. Apparently I should have been paying closer attention to the road because I got pulled over for doing 71 in a 55. Sorry, no pics of that. I should have got a shot of the lights flashing in the review mirror but I am not that tough.

 

[Dirty Harry]

From there I went to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. The light was kind of flat because it was overcast, so the photos are not the best, but I was there so I took some anyway. Beats being in the office.

 

[Dirty Harry]

There is a dirt road that leads around the perimeter of the park and over Medano Pass in the Sangre de Cristos. It was closed for the winter so I just went as far as I could and did some hiking to scout on locations for backpacking trips this summer. I hope to go back at do a trip to the park in conjunction with a trip to Blanca Peak.

 

[Dirty Harry]

The trip did me a world of good after the conference. I will definitely be heading back in the summer once the pass opens. From there it was a 3 1/2 hour drive back to Albuquerque. And another stop by a Sherriff deputy for doing 78 in a 65. Guess I need to slow down or stick to the interstate. He took pity on me and did not give me a ticket though, which I greatly appreciated.

 

[Ursidae69]

Cool photos Harry. I drove the Medano Pass last year and it was very scenic, lots of river crossings. The only 4wd required was the sand at the beginning and a few rutted sections at the top. Glad you got out of the 2nd ticket. :beer:

 

[kcowyo]

Good thing you were in the 4Runner and not the Evo as I'm sure you'd have been going much quicker and looked more guilty doing 98+ in the Evo....

I really liked GSD too on my trip through last Fall. Nice photos and great unplanned adventure. Just slow down and enjoy the ride a little more.

 

[Dirty Harry]

I've actually never been pulled over in the Evo (knocking on wood...). I have a Valentine One in the car, but it is hardwired so I don't transfer it over to the 4Runner. Maybe I should, although the suggestion to slow down and enjoy the scenery is a better option.

 

[DaveInDenver]

It's funny, I can count the times I've been pulled over for speeding on one finger. I was giving my truck all she had along Georgetown Lake and there was a Georgetown cop sitting that the exit ramp just waiting. I was probably only going 80 MPH and he asked why. Told him I have a 4 cylinder truck and need a good run at the hill up to Silver Plume. He asked me to pop my hood and I guess the big red '22R-E' sticker was convincing enough and he just told me to slow the hell down. Thankyouverymuchsir and I was off. You just don't accidentally find yourself breaking the speed limit in an over worked 22R-E powered truck!

Now being pulled over for profiled stopped, many times. Yup, an old white Toyota truck with a WilderNest and bike on top is obviously a stereotype for the sniffer dogs...

BTW, nice snaps, Harry. GSD and Medano Creek is a favorite place if mine. Actually, this is the place that cemented my Toyota loyalty. Driving up there around Memorial Day about 9 years ago I got deeper in one creek crossing than I wanted and drove my fan into the radiator on my old FJ40. Dumb, yes. Anyway, putted out of the creek to find a geyser of coolant. Fixed the radiator with JD Weld, cutting off about 40% of the radiator core flow. Broke the fan and had to take it off and didn't have spare water with me, so filled the cooling system with creek water poured through a t-shirt. The truck got us home and only hinted at running hot when we got caught in traffic. Man, old Toyotas are cool.

 

[ox4mag]

Glad you had a good time out there, Harry. I was out that way last September (Medano Pass, etc) and it was gorgeous! Definitely can't wait to go back again. Even wrote a story about it in JPFreek in our Oct/Nov issue I believe. Anyways, good pics and thanks for the post.

 

[Dirty Harry]

It's funny, I can count the times I've been pulled over for speeding on one finger.

I used to be the same way. Up until last month I had only been pulled over three times total, and the last time was three years ago. But now I have been pulled over four times in the last month! All in the 4Runner, all in rural places. I have been covering a lot of ground, I got pulled over outside Lusk, Wyoming for dong 75 in a 65 and outside Austin, Nevada for doing 80 in a 70. So I really do need to slow down and enjoy the scenery. You would think I would learn my lesson... :smiley_drive:

This will not deter me from going back to GSD this summer though!

 

[devinsixtyseven]

This will not deter me from going back to GSD this summer though!

Well, post up when, and we can all convoy down with the V1 that I'm about to hard-mount in the truck since the suction cups never hold and that thing is killer when it falls on your kneecap :smilies27. Dave you figure you can draft with the 22RE?

-Sean

 

[DaveInDenver]

Dave you figure you can draft with the 22RE?

Yeah, let's fire up the Hot Rod Hilux and see what happens!

 

[Bergger]

Nice photos. Don't mean to jump on your thread but I plan on taking my daughter to the Sand Dunes the week after Memorial Day with my neighbor and his daughter. Kind of a Father Daughter camping thingy. We plan on camping for two nights. It's my first trip down there and we'll be going over Medano Pass, I assume it's open that time of year. Has anyone driven that road during late May early June? The trail looks easy but I am curious of the depth of Medano Creek. I have not done much as far as water crossings. It appears to be fairly shallow but am wondering if I have anything to worry about. I'll call the park rangers and ask them but they are not always the most reliable when it comes to things like this. Any input is appreciated.

 

[kcowyo]

I got pulled over outside Lusk, Wyoming for doing 75 in a 65.....

Been to Lusk, so I can't say I blame ya'......

Will you be back in Rapid City next Fall? I'm thinking about an Ocotober trip to the Black Hills. I could use some suggestions for the trails less traveled in the area. Or I might just sit on Ogallala Beach at Lake McConaughy in NE for a few days....

Bergger, I hit the Medano Pass road after some heavy rains last Sept. Granted, that's not the same as Spring runoff, but I found the creek crossings to be very wide but not particularly deep. I wouldn't sweat it.