High Dune and Star Dune

Salida

An epic trek to the summit of two of North America's tallest sand dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park

Hiking Moderate

Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 488 m
Descent: 488 m
Duration: 2-3 hrs

Low Point: 2.4 km
High Point: 2.6 km
Gradient: 12˚

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is famous for having the tallest dunes in North America, in a dunefield spanning 30 square miles. There are no trails in the dunefield-proper, meaning that hikers can go anywhere they desire. The wind erases the tracks every night.

Views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains from atop Star Dune. Photo: Scott Anderson

Winter at the sand dunes can bring a different kind of beauty. Photo: Scott Anderson

A giant sandbox for kids of all ages. Photo: Scott Anderson

Ascending Star Dune. Photo: Scott Anderson

Sweeping views of the San Luis valley. Photo: Scott Anderson

A great family hike if not going all the way to Star Dune. Photo: Scott Anderson

The dunes create amazing shadows and textures. Photo: Scott Anderson

Approaching the summit of High Dune. Photo: Scott Anderson

Description

That same wind can make travel in the dunes quite a challenge; expect to find sand everywhere, including your ears, for days afterward. The best season to explore the dunes is fall or spring, when the sand does not reach typical summer temps of 150 degrees F.

For any dunes hike, it is vital to take plenty of water. The relentless sun, wind, and lack of water sources make this a necessity. Sunglasses, closed toe shoes, and a hat should be worn. Another piece of invaluable equipment is trekking poles equipped with snow baskets, which make the steep climbs much easier.

The most popular dune-destination is High Dune, which, in itself, is a 3-mile roundtrip hike. It is on the first ridge, seen from the Castle Creek Picnic Area, and can be reached by most people with little route finding required. Leave the parking lot, wade through the shallow-flowing Medano Creek and across a broad flat expanse of sand, then pick a route up the dunes to the summit of High Dune. This is a choose-your-own-adventure hike, so get creative and have fun!

From the 8,691' summit, gaze at Mt. Herard, then turn to view the San Luis Valley, then pick out all the tiny little ant-sized people swarming on the dunes down below. Finally, find Star Dune way off in the distance and decide whether to continue on to ascend Star Dune. Once leaving the popular High Dune, the trek to Star Dune will be long, hot, and solitary. The total mileage for the High and Star Dune route is over 8 miles and will take at least 5 hours!

Star Dune is so-named because it IS a "star dune," which means that it has 3 or more slipfaces, or sides, and resembles a star when viewed from above. If continuing on, pick a route and start the many ups and downs of traversing the dunefield.

Once to the base of Star Dune, you are faced with ascending 750 feet up the very steep face of Star Dune. It is so steep that every footstep sets off a mini-avalanche on each side of the ridge. At the 8,617' summit of the tallest dune in North America, survey the expansive scene, then pick a route and run, slide, or skid down the sand, finding the shortest route back to the parking lot.

This is a big hike in big territory and it will be hot and exhausting. It will also be an adventure you'll never forget!

Sources https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm