Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Climbing to Star Dune

We like to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park at least once a year, and 2008 was no exception. It's about a 3-hour drive from Colorado Springs, but well worth the weekend getaway.

Labor Day weekend brought constant wind and cold rain, but we were determined to reach our goal—the top of Star Dune, the tallest of all dunes.

The Sand Dunes are always a mesmerizing experience just because of their sheer size and scope. They are beautiful to look at, and a dream to photograph, with all their dramatic lines and shadows.

But when you’re actually there in front of them, they call you in for more. Staring at them is not enough. They must be climbed.

And what better way to enjoy “the tallest dunes in North America” than to climb the tallest dune of the tallest dunes?

Star Dune is 750 feet tall, a full 100 feet highter than High Dune—that first high point you see when entering the park.

Crushing the Star Dune at Great Sand Dunes National Park

It’s also 1 ½ miles further back into the dune field, making it a 6-7 mile hiking challenge.

Strangely, all the rain that fell made for an easier hike, giving us firmer footing--not as much sinking when the sand is wet. And it also kept us cool when it’s often quite hot under direct sun.

Here comes the rain again - sunflowers and rainshowers

Since there was no lightning, we decided to keep going.

The wind was a big challenge, though, and we didn’t walk far enough along the creekbed to get a “straight” shot along the ridges to Star Dune.

Wet and dry sand mix on the ridges of the Great Sand Dunes

But after much meandering over dune tops and down through sunflower-covered valleys, we eventually found our ridgeline to the summit.

The wind gusts and increased rain didn’t allow for a photograph (would’ve soaked my camera) but here is evidence of our ascent, taken from a calmer spot.

Top of Star Dune

Even though we got soaked, we still had a blast. The dunes are amazing, no matter what the weather is.

If you decide to climb the Star Dune, make sure to give yourself plenty of time. Our squirrelly path there and back took us 4 hours.

It's best to walk about 2 miles along the creekbed, and then head in once you spot Star Dune.

And bring a raincoat. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is known for sudden storms, especially in the afternoon.

We hope to be back next spring, to check out the “surge flow” in Medano Creek after the snowmelt. And to get another climb in on those tallest of dunes in North America.

Read about Great Sand Dunes Lodge - a great place to stay right next to the dunes!

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