What My Lens Sees

professional photo and videographer ... capturing the magic of the planet ... one adventure at a time

  • Home
  • Search

Road Trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park

Another weekend, another adventure. This time we headed South for the weekend to the Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa, Colorado. The weather forecast called for low 70's and lots of wind....and boy were they right! It was windy, windy, windy...so much so that it really altered our plans and limited what we could do as a family. We attempted to play in Medano Creek on Saturday, but just couldn't stay for too long because it was just too cold and windy for Alex. He wasn't exactly enjoying our "beach time", so we packed up our stuff and headed back to the hotel completely defeated by the wind. On Sunday, we came back to the Park and again it was windy. I decided to brave it and hike the dunes, while Oneea took the boys for breakfast at a restaurant nearby. I had just under 2 hours to explore, and take some pictures before she came back to pick me up. And in 2 hours, I realized how amazing the Great Sand Dunes really are. I took photo after photo, and was absolutely amazed with the scenery. It was harsh due to the wind, but I would come back in a heartbeat to explore this place more (only next time I'll pay better attention to the forecast).
Read More
  • Playing in Medano Creek, although not for long because the water was pretty cold.

    Playing in Medano Creek, although not for long because the water was pretty cold.

  • Alex digging in the sand on our "beach" along Medano Creek

    Alex digging in the sand on our "beach" along Medano Creek

  • Taken from the looking near the entrance to the park. I can't believe that after living in Colorado 15+ years, this was my first visit to the Sand Dunes. It's an amazing place, and a place we will absolutely come back to visit again.

    Taken from the looking near the entrance to the park. I can't believe that after living in Colorado 15+ years, this was my first visit to the Sand Dunes. It's an amazing place, and a place we will absolutely come back to visit again.

  • We were pretty much blown right out of Great Sand Dunes NP on Saturday, and felt pretty defeated as we headed back to the hotel in Alamosa. After taking a swim, we decided to check out a different spot and hope for less wind. It ended up being a lot longer trip, but we eventually found the spot after almost an hour's drive. This is the Rio Grande River, just North of the New Mexico border. It was very windy here, so didn't stick around too long....We did finish the night at an American classic, Sonic. Good (but greasy) food and desert.

    We were pretty much blown right out of Great Sand Dunes NP on Saturday, and felt pretty defeated as we headed back to the hotel in Alamosa. After taking a swim, we decided to check out a different spot and hope for less wind. It ended up being a lot longer trip, but we eventually found the spot after almost an hour's drive. This is the Rio Grande River, just North of the New Mexico border. It was very windy here, so didn't stick around too long....We did finish the night at an American classic, Sonic. Good (but greasy) food and desert.

  • After crossing the creek, this was my view looking up. I decided to veer to the right, away from the highest dune, so that I could find some solitude...I soon realized that finding solitude in the dune fields is not hard to do.

    After crossing the creek, this was my view looking up. I decided to veer to the right, away from the highest dune, so that I could find some solitude...I soon realized that finding solitude in the dune fields is not hard to do.

  • Sunshine on my shoulders, makes me happy....

    Sunshine on my shoulders, makes me happy....

  • The dunes changed colors with each cloud that passed by....

    The dunes changed colors with each cloud that passed by....

  • Untouched Beauty

    Untouched Beauty

  • One of the many lonely dunes that I walked past on my way up to the ridgeline. These dunes are constantly changing from the wind...The lines created from the wind are spectacular, and I realized when looking at this dune that I could spend days just wandering through this area.

    One of the many lonely dunes that I walked past on my way up to the ridgeline. These dunes are constantly changing from the wind...The lines created from the wind are spectacular, and I realized when looking at this dune that I could spend days just wandering through this area.

  • Sand dune framing Mt Herard

    Sand dune framing Mt Herard

  • Once I reached the ridgeline, I was rewarded with views of never-ending dunes and the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the North. Mt Herard is the tallest peak on the right, and dominates the scene at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

    Once I reached the ridgeline, I was rewarded with views of never-ending dunes and the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the North. Mt Herard is the tallest peak on the right, and dominates the scene at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

  • As I continued climbing up, I'd stop periodically to take a look around and shield myself from the wind and sand bullets. This picture was taken looking back at my starting point on the other side of Medano Creek. The clouds were casting shadows across some of the dunes, making for some really unique photo opportunities.

    As I continued climbing up, I'd stop periodically to take a look around and shield myself from the wind and sand bullets. This picture was taken looking back at my starting point on the other side of Medano Creek. The clouds were casting shadows across some of the dunes, making for some really unique photo opportunities.

  • The family photo at Great Sand Dunes NP. As you can see from Niko's hair, there was a stiff wind!

    The family photo at Great Sand Dunes NP. As you can see from Niko's hair, there was a stiff wind!

  • Mom and Alex in the creek. It was actually quite cold out due to the high winds and storms that were passing by.

    Mom and Alex in the creek. It was actually quite cold out due to the high winds and storms that were passing by.

  • Crossing Medano Creek to begin hiking the dune field. The small specks near the top of the tallest dune (along the ridge) are actually people who braved the wind for an amazing view.

    Crossing Medano Creek to begin hiking the dune field. The small specks near the top of the tallest dune (along the ridge) are actually people who braved the wind for an amazing view.

Follow Me @

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.
    Mom and Alex in the creek. It was actually quite cold out due to the high winds and storms that were passing by.
    Crossing Medano Creek to begin hiking the dune field. The small specks near the top of the tallest dune (along the ridge) are actually people who braved the wind for an amazing view.