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High Dune on First Ridge
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Colorado
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High Dune on First Ridge
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The high dune on the first ridge is neither the highest in elevation nor the tallest in the dunefield, but it looks that way from the main parking lot. This is the most common destination in the dunefield, providing a great view of the entire dunefield. It is about 692 feet (210 m) from base to top. Cross a half-mile (1km) of the Medano Creek bed, then zigzag up along ridgelines to reach it. Wear sturdy footwear year round; boots with long pants work best to keep sand out of your shoes. GPS coordinates for High Dune on First Ridge: 37.74908, -105.532775 Average round trip hiking time for High Dune is 2 hours, but plan to take as much as 4 hours to hike roundtrip if not acclimated to the high altitude and lower oxygen level. In summer, plan to hike very early morning to avoid 150 degree F sand or thunderstorms with lightning. Winds can occur any time of year during storm fronts and most often in afternoon hours. Frigid temperatures and blizzards are common in winter. Discover unusual insects, plants, wildlife tracks, ripples, and sand grains of every color. In warmer months, watch for one of 7 species of endemic insects, found nowhere else in the world, that are specially adapted to the extreme environment here.
Medano Creek
~2 min drive
<p>Medano Creek is a popular seasonal stream enjoyed by all ages. On this page you'll learn what to expect month-by-month in an average year, and how the rare phenomon 'surge flow' works. You can also link to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-creek.htm">cu…
Mosca Pass
~3 min drive
<p>Just above the dunefield are forests of aspen, pine, fir, and spruce. The easiest hiking access to forest in the national park is in Mosca Pass, on the Montville Nature Trail and Mosca Pass Trail. On these trails, you are walking in the footsteps of Pleistocene mammoth hunt…
Raspberry
~12 min drive
7.1 mi · Moderate
Huerfano
~14 min drive
8.7 mi · Hard
Star Dune
~2 min drive
Star Dune is currently tied with Hidden Dune as the two tallest dunes in North America. It is a majestic dune now measuring 741 feet (225 m) from base to summit. While it can be hiked from the summit of High Dune on First Ridge, it's more direct, and less up and down, to acces…
Sand Creek Basin
~23 min drive
<p>Sand Creek Basin is part of the alpine watershed of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. A longer drive and hike is required to reach these lakes and peaks, but the mountain scenery is worth the effort. Check with a ranger for conditions before travel. Snow may block these t…
Zapata
~14 min drive
3.7 mi · Moderate
Ute
~15 min drive
6.8 mi · Hard
Hidden Dune
~4 min drive
Hidden Dune is currently tied with Star Dune as the two tallest dunes in North America at 741 feet/225 m. Hidden Dune is named for its remote location in the dunefield, where it is not visible from most of the main visitor day use areas. It is even hidden from much of the high…
Humboldt
~26 min drive
2.7 mi · Easy
