Hi all, I am new to this forum and just wanted to share with you one of my favorite trips....Medano Pass begins in Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park outside of Alamosa, Colorado (just a short 4 hour trip from my hometown of Santa Fe, in 4th gear at 3500 rpms with ps pump sceamin' of course!).
Shek the vid:
YouTube - Medano Pass Behind the Great Sand Dunes‏
This trail offers about 50 primitive camping sites (first come basis)...most of which are set in beautiful aspen meadows next to the creek, or in some cases next to a magnificent beaver pond.
You must deflate your tires a bit to get through the first portion of the road, which travels on the back side of the sand dunes through deep, soft sand. Last year I went in a 90's 4 runner and had no issues in 4wd low, passing all of the soccer moms who tried to make it in their hyundai suv's. There are about 8 creek crossings (usually the creek is low enough to pass w/out snorkel) and the road eventually links up w/ Highway 69 if you go far enough. At the end of the road there is a trailhead to hike to Medano Lake, an alpine lake at the top of the mountain!
Pretty amazing to go behind the sand dunes (the largest in North America) because the wind blows in a manner that creates sheer cliffs of sand on the north sides of the dunes...pretty amazing to see people climbing vertical cliffs of sand! There is also Medano river to play in on a hot summer day.
However, I am only sharing this with you all since your are my landcruiser brethren...I just purchased an 85 Fj60 w/ 33's and plan on doing this trip in September. Please do not tell everyone you know about these campsites as they are a hidden treasure and should stay that way!
Cheers to all! Let me know if you have any experience or know of any other good trails in this area as I visit the San Juan valley whenever I get a chance...and hope to buy some land and retire there someday!
Nick aka pussywhipped
Shek the vid:
YouTube - Medano Pass Behind the Great Sand Dunes‏
This trail offers about 50 primitive camping sites (first come basis)...most of which are set in beautiful aspen meadows next to the creek, or in some cases next to a magnificent beaver pond.
You must deflate your tires a bit to get through the first portion of the road, which travels on the back side of the sand dunes through deep, soft sand. Last year I went in a 90's 4 runner and had no issues in 4wd low, passing all of the soccer moms who tried to make it in their hyundai suv's. There are about 8 creek crossings (usually the creek is low enough to pass w/out snorkel) and the road eventually links up w/ Highway 69 if you go far enough. At the end of the road there is a trailhead to hike to Medano Lake, an alpine lake at the top of the mountain!
Pretty amazing to go behind the sand dunes (the largest in North America) because the wind blows in a manner that creates sheer cliffs of sand on the north sides of the dunes...pretty amazing to see people climbing vertical cliffs of sand! There is also Medano river to play in on a hot summer day.
However, I am only sharing this with you all since your are my landcruiser brethren...I just purchased an 85 Fj60 w/ 33's and plan on doing this trip in September. Please do not tell everyone you know about these campsites as they are a hidden treasure and should stay that way!
Cheers to all! Let me know if you have any experience or know of any other good trails in this area as I visit the San Juan valley whenever I get a chance...and hope to buy some land and retire there someday!
Nick aka pussywhipped