Planning on a camping trip to Medano Pass Memorial Day weekend. The trail starts in the Wet Mountain Valley and goes into the back of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Not a difficult trail with a variety of terrain including 7 water crossings There are plenty of good camp sites along the way. Let me know who is interested and we can get the details ironed out.
Medano Pass Memorial Weekend
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I'm in. My wife and two little ones will be coming along too.
It's going to be my wife's first camping trip, so it should be interesting!
Might even get my dad to come out for the trip (wish the 55 was ready so I could hand him back the keys).
It's going to be my wife's first camping trip, so it should be interesting!
Might even get my dad to come out for the trip (wish the 55 was ready so I could hand him back the keys).
Are you guys thinking of camping for 2 or 3 nights?
Do to my wife's schedule, we're looking at a 2 night trip.
Do to my wife's schedule, we're looking at a 2 night trip.
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2 nights Saturday and Sunday work best for me.
Sounds good!
Definitely going to try to make it out fir this one. Not sure how many nights we can stay though.
Just talked to my dad and he's going to be able to make the trip. We have been on a camping trip together in 10+ years, so we're looking forward to it.
Few questions for you guys:
1. Are there restrooms/pit toilets were we will be staying , or should I pack the porta-potty?
2. Are there any trees for shade? I was thinking of a shade canopy if there isn't any (I have a HF coupon to get this for 59.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-...dium=email&utm_campaign=1813b&utm_source=1013).
3. Are there any "Medano Pass / Sand Dunes" specific items that you bring on this trip that you wouldn't normally bring on a camping trip?
Thanks in advance for any info!
Few questions for you guys:
1. Are there restrooms/pit toilets were we will be staying , or should I pack the porta-potty?
2. Are there any trees for shade? I was thinking of a shade canopy if there isn't any (I have a HF coupon to get this for 59.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-...dium=email&utm_campaign=1813b&utm_source=1013).
3. Are there any "Medano Pass / Sand Dunes" specific items that you bring on this trip that you wouldn't normally bring on a camping trip?
Thanks in advance for any info!
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Hey Travis...
Here is some info on the primitive sites on the road itself. I'm not sure where you guys will be staying. Shade will likely not be an issue in these sites...plenty of trees up there. No toilets in the primitive sites along the road. http://www.nps.gov/grsa/medano-pass-road.htm
If you guys are staying down in Pinyon Flats, there are flush toilets and shade in the campground. Its $20 a night there. Being a holiday weekend, I'd recommend reservations down there, as it will fill up quickly. Its a nice campground, and you can walk out to the dunes from there. http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
Hopefully Doug can fill you in on camping details...primitive or organized.
Here is some info on the primitive sites on the road itself. I'm not sure where you guys will be staying. Shade will likely not be an issue in these sites...plenty of trees up there. No toilets in the primitive sites along the road. http://www.nps.gov/grsa/medano-pass-road.htm
If you guys are staying down in Pinyon Flats, there are flush toilets and shade in the campground. Its $20 a night there. Being a holiday weekend, I'd recommend reservations down there, as it will fill up quickly. Its a nice campground, and you can walk out to the dunes from there. http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
Hopefully Doug can fill you in on camping details...primitive or organized.
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- #9
I was thinking Primitive and doing a day trip down to the San Dunes on Sunday. But whatever works for everyone else.
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- #10
No Toilets at the camp sire unless we camp in the national Park. Plenty of good shade in the primative camping areas, There is a nice little creek that runs through the sand dunes and it's like a beach. With warm weather plan on letting the kids play in the sand and water much like a beach. Closed toes shoes and socks for hiking the sand dunes as the sand gets hot and can burn the feet.
That sounds like a plan to me!
if you have any plastic sleds/discs you can sometimes sled down the dunes (depending on how hot, steep, dry, frictionless the sand is)
Cool. Plastic discs added to the list.
Anyone else bringing kids? My kiddos sure did enjoy the company on the Shelf road trip.
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- #14
I don't think I can get my granddaughter that weekend. Sorry.
My 2 boys will be with. Still trying to decide whether to camp or make a day of it.
9 AM at the south meeting spot sounds good. Looks like we're going to have some great weather too! 
A couple more questions:
I used my trailer hitch carrier during the Utah trip and it worked well, but not sure if it'll do so well on this trip if there are water crossings / steep departure points before I can unload at our camping spot.
Thank in advance for the ideas.
-Travis
A couple more questions:
1. Are we planning on driving around a bit, then setting up camp OR heading straight for the camp site and then cruising around/playing in the sand?
I used my trailer hitch carrier during the Utah trip and it worked well, but not sure if it'll do so well on this trip if there are water crossings / steep departure points before I can unload at our camping spot.
2. What do you guys think, try to use the trailer hitch carrier or try to put as much as possible in and on top of my 100?
Thank in advance for the ideas.
-Travis
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I learned last night at the meeting that the Safeway I was planning on meeting at isn't the "Official South Meeting place" The Safeway I would like to meet at is on the corner of South Academy and Hwy 115 AKA Nevada Ave.9 AM at the south meeting spot sounds good. Looks like we're going to have some great weather too!
A couple more questions:
1. Are we planning on driving around a bit, then setting up camp OR heading straight for the camp site and then cruising around/playing in the sand?
I used my trailer hitch carrier during the Utah trip and it worked well, but not sure if it'll do so well on this trip if there are water crossings / steep departure points before I can unload at our camping spot.
2. What do you guys think, try to use the trailer hitch carrier or try to put as much as possible in and on top of my 100?
Thank in advance for the ideas.
-Travis
Looks like I'm only going to make a day trip out of it.
I would suggest Getting the campsite first. We hit those before the water crossings. Then we can head down to the sand dunes and play around there. The sand is pretty deep so you might or might not need to air down a bit.
Anyone going to be camping?
We might just make a day trip out of it also. ???
We might just make a day trip out of it also. ???
We will be camping but we decided to go up there tomorrow and stay thurs/fri night we will be staying hopefully in the grassy open area just before you get to the gate to the trail.