sand Dunes national Park

When you start getting close to the sand dunes they look pretty small compared to the 13,000 foot mountain peaks in the background, you can start seeing contours and they start looking like dunes. You say to yourself, I can climb that. I'll just mosey on up there take a couple pictures and run back down.

This morning  about 9 o'clock I lowered the top on the little Bronco camper, swatted a few mosquitoes while doing so, and made my way to the Sand Dunes National Park. When I got to the park entrance I whipped out my geezer pass and they motioned me on through.

There was a sign at the entrance that said the campground was full. I fully expected this and already had a plan "B", and a plan "C" for backup. Being in no hurry I first stopped at the picnic area where most people start their dune climb, or doom climb as the case may be if you're my age. I took a few pictures, splashed in the creek water a little bit, reminisced of the days that I'd climbed to the top of the dunes, and noticed how much higher they appeared now than they used to be, I don't remember them looking like Mount Everest before.

It briefly crossed my mind about the possibility of giving the climb a shot but the old Japanese adage that says, everyone climbs Mount Fuji once, but only a fool climbs it twice, caused me to remember that I've already climbed these dunes twice so a third time would make me something else besides a fool...maybe dead.

So even though there was plenty of room there to land a flight for life helicopter I decided I would skip the climb and go take a few pictures of the campground to show everyone what it looks like. I drove around a couple of the campground loops looking for a picture that would show a few RVs with the sand dunes as a backdrop but by now it was about 10:30 and a lot of folks had left their campsites already so a lot of the sites were empty but they all had reserved signs on them. Just as I was about to give up on getting the picture I was looking for, I drove by an empty site that had an open for one night sign on it, I couldn't believe it but I backed in any way and walked up to the hosts campsite, that I had already passed, and asked him if I was okay in that site, and he said sure, enjoy your stay.

So that's how I ended up in the National Park campground which is without a doubt the most mosquito infested place I've ever seen west of the Mississippi. I am not kidding I have not seen mosquitoes this bad since I moved out of South Florida. They tell me they don't last long but that's of little benefit to me since I'm leaving in the morning.

Tomorrow I'll be headed back to Salida Colorado so I'll be closer to Monarch which is where I'll be heading Friday morning I'm looking forward to watching the Hill climb races because I know some people that will be there racing. And since I know somebody I'm hoping I'll be able to theboondork in the pit area where all the racers will be.

             theboondork

You get a little closer and they start looking like hills, you think to yourself, maybe I better carry a canteen when I run up there.

It's only when you get to the base of the dunes that your hit with the reality of what's going on here. These aren't beach sand dunes, these are mountains of loose sand that your feet sink into dragging you backwards with every step, And steep enough that people slide down on snowboards.

Your first obstacle is the creek that you have to cross to get to the dunes. It's very shallow but about 75 yards wide. Which means that if you're not prepared you start your climb with sandy wet feet.

Very few people make it to the top of the dunes, but the ones wearing a backpack with extra water, some snacks, dry shoes and socks, will have the best chance.

My boondocking spot at the Sand Dunes National Park camping area. Every campsite has a bear proof food locker. That's a clue as to who your visitors might be when the sun goes down.