PhenomenalWoman - Aug 22, 2009 9:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2009
Great Workout!
Sludged up the cold morning sand to be the second to summit (behind Eleutheros). Spent a little while conversing with a family at the top (those kids had way too much energy!). Headed back just as the sand started to get hot. Beautiful views of the Sangres all around!
SteveinFXBG - Aug 13, 2009 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2009
Nothing quite like it
We climbed it in the later part of the day when the sun was low and got some great views of the dune field and mountains beyond. The wind was howling at times, and my calves hurt like crazy, but it was completely worth it.
Eleutheros - Aug 12, 2009 11:25 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2009
Dune Running
I was the first to summit in the early morning. Dancing light and shadow brought the dunes to life beneath the awesome backdrop of the Sangres. I ran full speed downhill and only fell once! Found sandhoppers and sunflowers on the way. I also perfected the sandvalanche, a deep cracking and resulting cascade of sand that leaves a deep, ominous rumble echoing among the dunes.
Hiked up after dinner and sat on the summit with my friend Jake and witnessed one of the best sunset scenes of my life. Hiked down in the moonlight. Stunning!
Sand-slogged up to High Dune summit on a very windy day (40+ mph gusts). . . the views were worth it!!! The highest dune is Star Dune but the high point of the park is over 13,500' in the Sangres.
(See the Music Pass area)
ktiffany22 - May 31, 2009 1:33 am Date Climbed: May 23, 2009
NP highpoint!
Summited High Dune, then headed over for a quicker than we thought summit of Star Dune (the true high point of the park). On the way back, hit Point 8,000 something. Got rained on the last 10 minutes of our high. A great day!
foxylady - Dec 22, 2008 5:25 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2005
Fun place!
With Jeff and Monica.
kavak - Dec 19, 2008 10:12 am Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2008
From Parking Lot
I have lived in Colorado for 29 years and never visited the Great Sand Dunes. My wife and I stayed in a Yurt at Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa and went to the park the next day. The climb to High Dune wasn't that difficult at all. Of course we had perfect conditions for it. It had snowed on the dunes two days ago and the nights froze the moisture laden sand which made for easier walking. I had some difficulty actually standing on the summit because of a couple who were deeply in love.
POLUKO - Dec 5, 2008 6:53 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2008
Amazing little climb
Went up for the sunrise and made the mistake of taking my shoes off. It was very cold but once the sun rose everything changed. Amazing sunrise on an amazing hike.
skorpeo - Oct 19, 2008 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2008
great with kids
I hiked up it with my family. My six year old was proud to beat us all to the top. I think this was my fourth ascent. We really enjoy the Dunes.
I did not see any sand woems.
McCannster - Oct 12, 2008 11:33 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2008
crazy
CU Alpine Club trip. Very windy day and huge wind driven sand plumes blowing off the summit ridge, making it difficult to not cover your face at all. The sand screwed up my camera lens...have to get it fixed now. Climbed at Penitente Canyon the next day. Magnifico!
silversummit - Oct 4, 2008 1:47 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2008
What a great hike!
We pulled into our site late on the 26th in a rainstorm and woke up to a beautiful cool, clear morn. The hiking was fantastic and made much easier because the sand was wet and actually formed into climbing steps in the steeper sections. We experienced a Rocky Mountain first for our 10 Marylanders and 1 Nebraskan!
mlandau3 - Jul 21, 2008 2:15 am Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2008
A Unique Place
We always visit the Sand Dunes if we can. Lots of hummingbirds, lots of scenery, lots of sand. This was supposed to be a rest day, but High Dune was about all we could handle.
slowpoke - May 29, 2008 8:28 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2008
Climbed Memorial Day weekend
thankfully we were among the first to set out and took our own route, "topping out" on several other interesting dunes along the way.
shknbke - Apr 4, 2008 12:50 am Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2008
n.e. ridge
Hit High Dune after a long day on nearby 13er Twin Peaks. The plunge step descent makes the slog worth it! Great views when the sun is going down. Herard looks pretty nice.
davebobk47 - Dec 24, 2007 5:08 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2007
Cold Windy Day in the Dunes
Practically had the place to myself, only saw 4 other people the whole time and they were at the bottom. Bismark and I pushed through 40+ mph winds to summit High Dune. Star Dune was out of the question in that wind and cold. I'll be back though...
argothor - Oct 12, 2007 10:12 pm Date Climbed: Nov 26, 2001
Twice in one day
I hiked up to the top of the Great Sand Dunes twice in the same day. After going up the first time, I get back to the parking lot and there are my friends and neighbors, Troy and Nickie, who just pulled into the parking lot to hike up to the summit. I don't know they were going to be there, but I joined up with them and hiked it yet again.
Don't recall exactly when I climbed this with AJ on a trip to the Dunes. It's interesting to hike around in the sand - great workout on the legs. More fun going down!
I was pleasantly surprised/amused to find this one on the summitpost website. In all seriousness though, this hike is a great lowerbody workout with stunning scenery throughout. A real must-do if you live in Colorado (or elsewhere for that matter!). I make the trek up High Dune every time I've visited the dunes. Just make sure your feet don't get burnt by the sand. As I've learned from experience, it can be scalding.
PhenomenalWoman - Aug 22, 2009 9:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2009
Great Workout!Sludged up the cold morning sand to be the second to summit (behind Eleutheros). Spent a little while conversing with a family at the top (those kids had way too much energy!). Headed back just as the sand started to get hot. Beautiful views of the Sangres all around!
SteveinFXBG - Aug 13, 2009 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2009
Nothing quite like itWe climbed it in the later part of the day when the sun was low and got some great views of the dune field and mountains beyond. The wind was howling at times, and my calves hurt like crazy, but it was completely worth it.
Eleutheros - Aug 12, 2009 11:25 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2009
Dune RunningI was the first to summit in the early morning. Dancing light and shadow brought the dunes to life beneath the awesome backdrop of the Sangres. I ran full speed downhill and only fell once! Found sandhoppers and sunflowers on the way. I also perfected the sandvalanche, a deep cracking and resulting cascade of sand that leaves a deep, ominous rumble echoing among the dunes.
csmcgranahan - Jul 30, 2009 3:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2009
Amazing sunset!Hiked up after dinner and sat on the summit with my friend Jake and witnessed one of the best sunset scenes of my life. Hiked down in the moonlight. Stunning!
VermontMike - Jun 7, 2009 4:14 am
Nowhere near the high pointSand-slogged up to High Dune summit on a very windy day (40+ mph gusts). . . the views were worth it!!! The highest dune is Star Dune but the high point of the park is over 13,500' in the Sangres.
(See the Music Pass area)
ktiffany22 - May 31, 2009 1:33 am Date Climbed: May 23, 2009
NP highpoint!Summited High Dune, then headed over for a quicker than we thought summit of Star Dune (the true high point of the park). On the way back, hit Point 8,000 something. Got rained on the last 10 minutes of our high. A great day!
foxylady - Dec 22, 2008 5:25 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2005
Fun place!With Jeff and Monica.
kavak - Dec 19, 2008 10:12 am Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2008
From Parking LotI have lived in Colorado for 29 years and never visited the Great Sand Dunes. My wife and I stayed in a Yurt at Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa and went to the park the next day. The climb to High Dune wasn't that difficult at all. Of course we had perfect conditions for it. It had snowed on the dunes two days ago and the nights froze the moisture laden sand which made for easier walking. I had some difficulty actually standing on the summit because of a couple who were deeply in love.
POLUKO - Dec 5, 2008 6:53 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2008
Amazing little climbWent up for the sunrise and made the mistake of taking my shoes off. It was very cold but once the sun rose everything changed. Amazing sunrise on an amazing hike.
skorpeo - Oct 19, 2008 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2008
great with kidsI hiked up it with my family. My six year old was proud to beat us all to the top. I think this was my fourth ascent. We really enjoy the Dunes.
I did not see any sand woems.
McCannster - Oct 12, 2008 11:33 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2008
crazyCU Alpine Club trip. Very windy day and huge wind driven sand plumes blowing off the summit ridge, making it difficult to not cover your face at all. The sand screwed up my camera lens...have to get it fixed now. Climbed at Penitente Canyon the next day. Magnifico!
silversummit - Oct 4, 2008 1:47 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2008
What a great hike!We pulled into our site late on the 26th in a rainstorm and woke up to a beautiful cool, clear morn. The hiking was fantastic and made much easier because the sand was wet and actually formed into climbing steps in the steeper sections. We experienced a Rocky Mountain first for our 10 Marylanders and 1 Nebraskan!
Pete Castricone - Jul 22, 2008 2:07 pm
High DuneNice end to a long 2007 Memorial Day weekend.
mlandau3 - Jul 21, 2008 2:15 am Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2008
A Unique PlaceWe always visit the Sand Dunes if we can. Lots of hummingbirds, lots of scenery, lots of sand. This was supposed to be a rest day, but High Dune was about all we could handle.
slowpoke - May 29, 2008 8:28 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2008
Climbed Memorial Day weekendthankfully we were among the first to set out and took our own route, "topping out" on several other interesting dunes along the way.
shknbke - Apr 4, 2008 12:50 am Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2008
n.e. ridgeHit High Dune after a long day on nearby 13er Twin Peaks. The plunge step descent makes the slog worth it! Great views when the sun is going down. Herard looks pretty nice.
davebobk47 - Dec 24, 2007 5:08 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2007
Cold Windy Day in the DunesPractically had the place to myself, only saw 4 other people the whole time and they were at the bottom. Bismark and I pushed through 40+ mph winds to summit High Dune. Star Dune was out of the question in that wind and cold. I'll be back though...
argothor - Oct 12, 2007 10:12 pm Date Climbed: Nov 26, 2001
Twice in one dayI hiked up to the top of the Great Sand Dunes twice in the same day. After going up the first time, I get back to the parking lot and there are my friends and neighbors, Troy and Nickie, who just pulled into the parking lot to hike up to the summit. I don't know they were going to be there, but I joined up with them and hiked it yet again.
mtnhiker13 - Jul 27, 2007 8:18 pm
A unique experienceDon't recall exactly when I climbed this with AJ on a trip to the Dunes. It's interesting to hike around in the sand - great workout on the legs. More fun going down!
mountainloverCO - Jul 11, 2007 4:28 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2006
A Unique ExperienceI was pleasantly surprised/amused to find this one on the summitpost website. In all seriousness though, this hike is a great lowerbody workout with stunning scenery throughout. A real must-do if you live in Colorado (or elsewhere for that matter!). I make the trek up High Dune every time I've visited the dunes. Just make sure your feet don't get burnt by the sand. As I've learned from experience, it can be scalding.