Camping trip: Great Sand Dunes/Medano Creek road Sept 2,3,4,5

[2manycruisers]

Anyone seen this yet.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve - Medano Pass Primitive Road (U.S. National Park Service)

And pets are actually allowed in most of the dunes, that's amazing.

 

[BionicCruiser]

that's the whole road that's closed from the dunes up to the top of the pass. sounds like it's not really worth it then. or were you thinking of camping along the creek in the dunes area Ali?

 

[BionicCruiser]

with the pass road closed, we are going to hit somewhere closer to home. you guys have fun!

 

[alia176]

Too bad about the Medano pass road being closed but it's no biggie for us. Our objective is to experience the Sand Dunes park so we can camp anywhere and hang out in the Dunes. This weekend is the Celestial festival with lots of activities for the kids on Saturday. http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/events.htm

Pinion Flat campground does have first come/first serve camp spots. If that's filled up, then we'll try another camp ground near the park entrance Great Sand Dunes Oasis- Great Sand Dunes National Monument

 

[2manycruisers]

I'm not interested in developed campsites, so we're up in the air right now. Might camp Friday near Blanca, do the dunes Saturday, camp in the same place or another saturday night and make our way to the orient land trust on Sunday to see the bats at dusk. Then decide whether to brave a developed campsite to use the hot springs at Valley View. FWIW the San Luis Lakes State Park right outside the dunes has 51 sites and nothing available by reservation, so I have no idea how difficult it might be to get a campsite at pinon flats or nearby.

Or we might just set up along a creek somewhere east of the san pedro parks wilderness and hang out there so the kids and dogs can play in the water.

 

[juane]

We took the kids and did the bat thing Tuesday evening.
Highly recommend it.
A short but scenic evening hike, fascinating mine and ghost town site and the bat out-flight is something to behold!

Sorry we won't connect up with you guys....we'll be sweltering in Lockhart Basin with a bunch of....a bunch of...je...jee....Jeeps!

 

[alia176]

I'm not interested in developed campsites, so we're up in the air right now. Might camp Friday near Blanca, do the dunes Saturday, camp in the same place or another saturday night and make our way to the orient land trust on Sunday to see the bats at dusk. Then decide whether to brave a developed campsite to use the hot springs at Valley View. FWIW the San Luis Lakes State Park right outside the dunes has 51 sites and nothing available by reservation, so I have no idea how difficult it might be to get a campsite at pinon flats or nearby.

Or we might just set up along a creek somewhere east of the san pedro parks wilderness and hang out there so the kids and dogs can play in the water.

Sounds good David. Due to our different departure schedules, we probably won't be able to hook up!

 

[TOYOTARIG]

Ali,

We would be interested in whatever you guys are doing. (developed or otherwise) If it is a developed site with water that would mean I could tow the trailer empty, which would be nice, but we also don't mind saving the money of campground fees either. Truthfully, whichever way we are fine.

Our departure time (3:00 or so) is going to complicate things a bit, especially with first come first serve. Let me know what you are thinking and where exactly you have planned and we will try to make it happen!

Ron

 

[2manycruisers]

I think it say the pinon flats cg fits 6 at a space?

Our plan is to spend night one probably near Blanca and maybe nights 2 and 3 near Crestone. There is an FS campground there, but will likely be full. We'll find somewhere nearby. Saturday at the Dunes and we want to see the bats Sunday eve and go to the hot springs (kids are free) either sunday or monday.

We won't be leaving until at least 415 from Santa Fe, so will be looking for something in the dark Friday night. We are taking the troopy now, so all we need is a flat place to park and pop the top. Hopefully we'll find you at the Dunes Saturday.

Ron, if your timing works to travel with us, let me know. Otherwise we'll see you Saturday hopefully.

 

[alia176]

Sounds great David. I hope to check out the bats as well, sounds like a hoot.

 

[pappy]

Ummm, I guess nobody survived.

 

[alia176]

We all made it home last night. Attendees were:

Lawrence's
Ali's
Gunderson's

Sand, sand, sand everywhere! Kids played at the dunes on sat and sunday. On Sunday, we all went to the Orient mine and checked out the bat exodus and that was very cool. Talk about a quiet exit for 250,000 bats in 20 mins! The temps were good and the weather was nice except for one night when the wind was crazy. The kids didn't get to cook marshmallows over the fire until Monday morning, before breakfast!

The Medano road was indeed closed but a short walk didn't reveal the wash out. I'm guessing it's a long hike to the washout. The creek was dry this time of the year. Sounds like June/July is a good time to go this area. The dunes become a temporary beach of some sort.

Next to our campground was a family from France, on a two year tour of the world. They shipped their very nice camper and traveling the globe with two boys and two dogs. They were a very interesting family and I hope to follow them along on their journey. They sold everything at home and hit the road. The engine was a 4cyl turbo diesel made by Iveco (spell?). He is a retired French army rescue diver and she was a nurse. They are astonished at our definition of "motor home"!

 

[lurch]

250,000 buts in 20 mins!

Thats a lot of arss! Talking about butts who's still finding sand in strange places?

Glad everyone had a fun time, wish we could have come hopefully next time!

It would be nice to travel for 2 years...maybe someday.