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Well worth the unexpected side trip, the Great Sand Dunes National Monument was a fascinating discovery. Richard had the intention to trek to the dunes, but they were farther than they looked and he made it only about two thirds of the distance to the base of the taller part of the dunes. Helen and I stayed back, not wanting to get sand in our shoes. I failed to bring my hiking boots, or I would have gone with Richard... really....
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes
rise over 700 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The
wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This
geologic wonderland, containing 30 square miles of dunes, became a national
monument in 1932. With the passage of the Great Sand Dunes National Park
and Preserve Act of 2000, resources now also include alpine lakes and tundra,
six peaks over 13,000', ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of
aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands--all habitat for diverse
wildlife and Rocky Mountain plant species.