Mountain Photography

by Jack Brauer

Trip Reports: Great Sand Dunes Megaloop - March 2009

For four days this past week, I did a big loop trek around the Great Sand Dunes in southern Colorado.  The weather was very cold at night, but the days were nice and sunny and not too hot - perfect weather for trekking through the dunes.  Below are some of my favorite photos from the trip.

As you hike up the Sand Ramp Trail along the eastern side of the dunes at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, it's amazing to see how the pine forest meets the desolate expanse of sand dunes. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Sunset light illuminates the dunes along the remote western portion of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

The sensuous forms of the dunes create interesting shapes in the light and shadow.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Warm sunset light shines on Star Dune, the tallest dune in the national park.  Star Dune rises 750 feet above the San Luis Valley, making it the tallest dune in all of North America.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Sunset over the San Luis Valley, as seen from in the dunes. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Looking west at the twilight sky over the San Luis Valley, as seen from the western part of the Great Sand Dunes.  Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

A calm evening deep in the Great Sand Dunes, looking north at the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the San Luis Valley. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
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Mount Herard and the Sangre de Cristos rise above the Great Sand Dunes. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

You can read a little bit more about the trip on my blog.  This was about the sixth or seventh time I've visited the dunes.  See all of my Great Sand Dunes photos here.