Great Sand Dunes - Oct. 17th-19th

[Fitzgerald]

Since I'm out for Moab next weekend (probably save my first Moab trip until Cruise Moab in May), I'm thinking Great Sand Dunes National Park.

My dad still wants to come out for some camping and light wheeling. So..... next weekend, we're headed down to play in the sand, do some camping, and run Medano (and maybe Hermit on the way there or on the way back...maybe Hayden Pass too?). It'll be my dad in his 4Runner, my kiddos and my wife's 50/50 on whether or not she wants to go.

The more the merrier if anyone is interested in joining us.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Bought some toys for the trip (hoping someone gets stuck in the sand......just not too deep ):

Might come in handy during the Christmas Tree Cutting runs as well.

 

[Springs505]

I had a great time on Medano last year with Doug. The sand is the only place where I would think you *might* have any issues. I would be tempted to try and stick it in the sand, just to try out the ladders (or ramps)...what are they called?

 

[Bret]

I would like to meet folks for Medano pass and the dunes but not ready to abuse my kidneys on Hermit again any time soon.

 

[Stokes]

Supposed to work that Saturday so I'm not sure if I'd make it down there. If I did it might just be Sunday.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Supposed to work that Saturday so I'm not sure if I'd make it down there. If I did it might just be Sunday.

Leave early enough and you can show up to camp just in time for some eggs, bacon and coffee by the fire.

 

[Stokes]

Haha Maybe! Would you guys plan on running at all Sunday or packing to head home?

 

[Fitzgerald]

Haha Maybe! Would you guys plan on running at all Sunday or packing to head home?

Not sure, will probably depend on how the family's feeling. As of right now, I' planning on playing a bit then driving home in the afternoon.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Anyone have any pointers/tips for camping in the Sand Dunes area? Looks like there's everything from pit toilets/ showers to primitive in the area?

Might be nice to have the conveniences of pit toilets near by since this will be my wife's first camping trip, but I don't want to be in the middle of a bunch of RV's and knuckleheads.

So... guessing I'm asking if anyone has any knowledge of a nice, quiet , seldom used, out of the way campsite with some amenities?

 

[Bret]

Most of the ones I remember seeing on the way through the pass were just flat spots with a fire pit. They were all full, but that was close to the peak season. In the park "proper" there were pit toilets etc. Depends on if you want to camp on the dune side or in the pass. There should be a map for the camping in the park next to the dunes?

 

[Bret]

There is a small group from here that may want to make a short trip before the snow flies. A Bronco and a H2, so we may have to "run" separately so as not to anger the Cruiser gods.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Hey man, the more the merrier.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Haha Maybe! Would you guys plan on running at all Sunday or packing to head home?

Our plan is to let the kids play most of Saturday (sand dunes and what not) and then get up Sunday, eat a big breakfast, pack and take Medano out on Sunday (taking the trip up through Westcliffe to the Arizona to Pueblo and up).

 

[Bret]

So coming down are you going to come across on 160 by La Veta or coming down 69 through Westcliffe?

We are looking to be there Sat around 9ish at the dunes gate and go over Medano and come back. Bronco and 40 "Heritage" run with a maybe from the H2.

 

[Fitzgerald]

So coming down are you going to come across on 160 by La Veta or coming down 69 through Westcliffe?

We are looking to be there Sat around 9ish at the dunes gate and go over Medano and come back. Bronco and 40 "Heritage" run with a maybe from the H2.

We'll most likely come across 160 since it's the quickest route, want to find a campsite before it gets toooo dark.

Hopefully, we'll get to see you guys at some point on Sunday. I'll be the chubby dude drinking crown and coke pushing my kids down the sand dunes on their cardboard sleds.

 

[Springs505]

Anyone have any pointers/tips for camping in the Sand Dunes area? Looks like there's everything from pit toilets/ showers to primitive in the area?

Might be nice to have the conveniences of pit toilets near by since this will be my wife's first camping trip, but I don't want to be in the middle of a bunch of RV's and knuckleheads.

So... guessing I'm asking if anyone has any knowledge of a nice, quiet , seldom used, out of the way campsite with some amenities?

IIRC, the sites in the sand dunes park looked nice, with nice looking facilities. You can reserve a spot there on recreation.gov, if it's not too late.

Medano pass has 10 or so primitive sites. They are separated and you can only camp in marked sites.

There is a bunch of dispersed camping at the north end of the medano pass trail, just after the private land you cross from the highway. I would like to go back some time and camp there with my pop-up.

 

[Fitzgerald]

We ended up camping in the Sand Dunes park. We arrived after dark and were ready to camp anywhere that was convenient. Being Jess' first camping trip, the facilities were nice to have around.

Went and played in the sand dunes on Saturday and got to meet Bret and a couple of his friends. I wish I would have broken away from the family for a while to see their rigs, but I was on full-time daddy duty at that moment. Bret seems like a great guy and I look forward to wheelin' with him in the future.

Sunday we took Medano Pass out and it was a gorgeous trip. Sandy dunes, chaparral, aspens, pines, furs, mud, water crossings, rocks, etc.

 

[Fitzgerald]

My dad had a blast in his new to him 4Runner.

 

[Springs505]

Looks like a great trip.

Sorry for the late camping advice...I had it in my head that your trip was next weekend....but obviously that isn't right at all.

 

[Fitzgerald]

Looks like a great trip.

Sorry for the late camping advice...I had it in my head that your trip was next weekend....but obviously that isn't right at all.

Yeah, definitely a good time. I must have used "The Force" and subconsciously received your advice, because we ended up staying there at the dunes.

The 100 was stuffed to the gills and when Jess saw a cool "off-road" trailer behind a Jeep, she said "You need one of those!" (the trailer not the Jeep) and I replied with a quick, "Yeah, I really do."