Standing Into Danger: On the Downhill Slide at Great Sand Dunes

Monday, July 10, 2017

On the Downhill Slide at Great Sand Dunes

Hola from the beautiful San Luis Valley in south central Colorado!
More specifically, hola from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve!

I have wanted to visit this incredible place since I moved to Colorado in 1982.
The park is located in the high mountain desert of the San Luis Valley
nestled up against the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

It is remarkable for its biodiversity, containing seven distinct life zones
from low streams and wetlands, to salt-encrusted plains or sabkhas,
to sand sheets and grasslands, to dune fields,
montane forests, subalpine forests, and alpine tundra.

A Little Muley Foraging on the Sand Sheet Grassland

But as excited as I was to see muleys and hummers ...

Hummingbirds Gather at a Feeder

Outside Our Lodge Room

And wade in intermittent Medano Creek ...

Terry Wades Across Medano Creek

I had come to the park to tackle
the tallest sand dunes in North America,
dunes that reach up to 750 feet in height.

The dune field in the park rises up
against the base of the Sangre de Cristos
and comprises about 11% of a 330
square-mile deposit of sand in the valley.

The Sand Sheet Grasslands Sweeping Out from the Dune Fields

at the Base of the Sangre de Cristos

Doesn't sound too bad, until
you realize the Visitor's Center stands at 8,166 feet,
and the dunes are uphill from that!

So High!!!

We arrived at the park around noon
when the temperature was reaching the mid-80s.
Not a good time to begin hoofing it up the dunes
where the surface of the sand can be 150 degrees hot.

Too Hot For Me!

Most people were sticking to the lower dunes.

So after a quick lunch in a pretty spot, we headed to our lodge for a siesta.

Heading Back to Our Lodge

At 7:00 pm Terry and I were ready to tackle the dunes!

Terry Begins to Cross Medano Creek

We started out with high hopes,
heading for the highest spot on the horizon.

In the early evening the dunes are lovely,

with the low-angled sun casting soft shadows and highlights.

We make good progress, even though hiking in sand is challenging.

Terry Flahes Me a Smile

My Turn To Pose

At times it was a slog ~
Sometimes our feet disappeared into the sand.
Underneath the cooling surface,
I could feel the warm sand from the heat of the day.

Ridiculously Hard at Times

Hoofing, hoofing, hoofing ...

Up and Up

We keep our focus on reaching a lower dune summit,
while looking behind to mark our rise in elevation.

The Goal

Looking Back

The Final Push

Summiting that first dune was one
of the hardest physical things I've done.
Terry and I floundered to the top,
one foot forward, six inches back
with each step up a very steep dune slope.

I could stagger only five or six steps
before having to stop to catch my breath.
Buckets of sweat were pouring off me
as I tried to strike this bucket item off my list.
Finally ...

Then it dawned on me when I looked up ...

The Next Stop ~ Or Not

I simply could not make the higher dune summit.
I was shot.

It was a devastating moment for me,
because for the first time I truly felt I had peaked in my life,
from here it was the long downhill slide to the end.

The Downhill Slide

Fighting back tears, I told Terry that I just couldn't go on,
I couldn't reach the top,
I was on the long downhill slide to the end.

Terry wrapped an arm around my shoulder and said,
"You are on no downhill slide!
Look where you are!
Look how far you climbed!
Let's climb down and try again tomorrow."

"I won't be able to walk tomorrow," I said.
"I'm not sure I can even make it down."

"Sure you will, Babe. Let's go!"

We started staggering back down the dune,
and I reminded myself that even if I hadn't reached the top,
there were still plenty of adventures ahead of me.

Besides, the sun had set, and glorious color was spreading across the sky.

Sunset on the Dunes

We picked up a ridge rather than
floundering down the steep side of the dune.

It was a longer trek, but it was easier going,
and the most delicious breeze cooled us.

A Dune Ridge ~ Not for Those Who Don't Like Heights

Terry Follows Me Down

Down and Down

Twilight falls as we near the bottom of the dunes and head for Medano Creek.

Almost down!

Night arrives as we cross the flat plain leading to the creek,
and we move slowly forward by the light of our headlamps.
Nothing like crossing a stream in the dark!

Approaching Medano in the Dark

In a way I was glad I couldn't reach the high summit.
We'd have been climbing down the dunes in the dark.
We weren't the last down, by any means.
People often climb the dunes at night.

I was more than grateful to tumble into bed,
and my last thought was, "Tomorrow is another day!"

26 comments:

LindaJuly 11, 2017 at 1:30 AM
I am glad that Terry was such an encouragement to you, Louise! What an amazing experience! Beautiful photos!
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AdamJuly 11, 2017 at 2:01 AM
I actually never seen hummingbirds in person. I had a feeder once but never saw them
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Alex J. CavanaughJuly 11, 2017 at 3:46 AM
Wow! Hey, you still did good. It's one thing to go up a large hill with a solid path. Sand is a different matter.
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Debra She Who SeeksJuly 11, 2017 at 6:31 AM
That's a helluva climb! Believe me, I would not even have attempted it! Having to accept the physical (and mental) realities of aging is a sonovabitch, I know. It's always a kind of wrench to the system.
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Pat HattJuly 11, 2017 at 6:38 AM
Sand would be hard as heck to get up the full way, especially in heat of most any kind. Although ouch to 150 degrees burning the feet. With my bum back no way I'd get up there. Give me a mountain any day. Better to turn back than push on and croak and not have another day lol sure got some great shots and you made it farther than many and many more who never even attempted it. Way to be at your sea.
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Fundy BlueJuly 11, 2017 at 8:15 AM
Hi, Linda, Adam, Alex, Debra, and Pat! Thanks for your encouraging and kind comments. I'm sorry about posting an earlier draft ~ Managed to do that late last night! We're checking out and moving on this morning, so I have no computer time. Hopefully our hotel in Sedalia tonight will have access. Then I'll reply to your comments and visit! Have a great day, My friends!
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sageJuly 11, 2017 at 11:23 AM
Coral Pink Sand Dunes in Southern Utah is another place you should check out. There are not quite as tall and I think the base elevation is around 4000 feet. Climbing on certain types of volcanic ash is also a workout.

Did you make it to the top the next day?
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Janie JunebugJuly 11, 2017 at 1:55 PM
I'm sad that you were disappointed because I was impressed by your accomplishment. It's quite a feat. Even walking on flat sandy ground can be difficult. Go, you! You did great.

Love,
Janie
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WordsPoeticallyWorthJuly 11, 2017 at 2:45 PM
Looks like a lovely place. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
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AnonymousJuly 12, 2017 at 12:59 PM
So Louise, next time take snowshoes with you - you could start a new sand shoe fad LOL. Looks like a wonderful place hugs your sister Barb
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Geo.July 12, 2017 at 8:25 PM
A valiant ascent! My compliments and admiration.
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MarthaJuly 14, 2017 at 6:03 AM
Wow, just wow! What a spectacular place. You did great. I'm not sure I'd be able to reach the top either but I'd be thrilled to get that close to it. What an adventure!
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Magic Love CrowJuly 15, 2017 at 1:45 PM
WOW!!! You should be damn proud of yourself Louise!!! I could have never accomplished what you did! I am in Awwww!!! What an amazing adventure! Big Hugs!
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