High Dune (8,700′), Great Sand Dunes N.P.

High Dune (8,700′), Great Sand Dunes N.P.

by | Dec 31, 2015 | Dog Friendly, Moderate Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Sangre de Cristo Range, Trip Reports

High Dune (8,700′), Great Sand Dunes N.P.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising about 750 feet (230 m) from the floor of the San Luis Valley at the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The dunes  cover about 19,000 acres (7,700 ha).

Researchers estimate that the dunes started forming less than 440,000 years ago, which is recent in geological times. A Visitor Guide by the park provides plenty of ideas for activities while in this unique area.

High Dune at 8,700′ is the highest dune in elevation at the park, but the tallest dune from base to summit is Star Dune. Rising about 750′ from the valley floor, it is the tallest sand dune in North America.

While in the area, Zapata Falls lies just outside the park and is worth the small excursion.

Trail Stats

The Great Sand Dunes National Park

Trail Pictures

Hiking up along the ridgeline

Hiking up along the ridgeline

Hiking up along the ridgeline

The Great Sand Dunes National Park from a distance

The dunes from a distance

The dunes from a distance

Heading back

Heading back

Heading back

Eerie landscape

Eerie landscape

Eerie landscape

Looking east out at the great Sand Dunes National Park

Looking east

Looking east

Frozen crust

Frozen crust

Frozen crust

View towards Alamosa

View towards Alamosa

View towards Alamosa

A cold winter morning

A cold winter morning

A cold winter morning

View of Star Dune

View of Star Dune

View of Star Dune

My tracks to the top

My tracks to the top

My tracks to the top

View from the summit

View from the summit

View from the summit

Summit of High Dune

Summit of High Dune

Summit of High Dune

View of the Sange de Cristo Mountain Range

View of the Sange de Cristo Mountain Range

View of the Sange de Cristo Mountain Range

Hiking up along the ridgeline

Hiking up along the ridgeline

Hiking up along the ridgeline

Hiking up High Dune

Hiking up High Dune

Hiking up High Dune

First rays of sunlight

First rays of sunlight

First rays of sunlight

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve entrance

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve entrance

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve entrance

sand dunes

sand dunes

sand dunes

GPS Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

Medano Creek is within a 100 feet of the parking lot and is a popular destination because it has the characteristics of an ocean beach in the spring. Cross the shallow creek and continue toward the dunes.

The first part of the hike is easy because it travels across flat, thick sand. The hike quickly transitions from an easy beach walk to a vertically challenging dune climb as the angle increases. Walking up along the ridges provided the path of least resistance.

Trailhead Directions

Weather

Zapata Falls (9,250′), Sangre de Cristo Range

Zapata Falls (9,250′), Sangre de Cristo Range

by | Dec 31, 2015 | Dog Friendly, Easy Hikes, Rocky Mountains, Sangre de Cristo Range, Trip Reports

Zapata Falls (9,250′), Sangre de Cristo Range

This popular short hike to Zapata Falls is located 3 miles south of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, off of Highway 150. Simply driving to the trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dune field and San Luis Valley. Drive (east) onto a rough dirt road marked by a large sign, and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead. To view the falls, hike 1/2 mile, and wade into a crevasse where the 30 ft. high falls cascade onto a ledge. Even in winter, water can still be heard flowing deep underneath the ice.

Next door at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, some of the highest elevation sand dunes in North America, including High Dune and Star Dune can be found.

Trail Stats

Zapata Falls
  • Trailhead: Zapata Falls
  • Round trip: 1 mile / 1.6 km
  • Elevation: 9,035′ – 9,250′  / 2,754 m – 2,819 m
  • County: Saguache
  • Agency: BLM
  • Nat’l Forest: Rio Grande

Trail Pictures

Zapata Falls trail

Zapata Falls trail

Zapata Falls trail

Looking up the frozen falls you can hear water still running underneath

Looking up the frozen falls you can hear water still running underneath

Looking up the frozen falls you can hear water still running underneath

Zapata Falls - 30 ft drop

Zapata Falls – 30 ft drop

Zapata Falls – 30 ft drop

View into the entrance

View into the entrance

View into the entrance

Zapata Falls entrance

Zapata Falls entrance

Zapata Falls entrance

Walking over frozen run off

Walking over frozen run-off with microspikes

Walking over frozen run-off with microspikes

Trail junction near the falls

Trail junction near the falls

Trail junction near the falls

Short trail to the waterfall

Short trail to the waterfall

Short trail to the waterfall

May 2018 Zapata Falls

May 2018 Zapata Falls

May 2018 Zapata Falls

Leaving the cave entrance

Leaving the cave entrance

Leaving the cave entrance

View of the Great Sand Dunes from Zapata Falls trail

View of the Great Sand Dunes from Zapata Falls trail

View of the Great Sand Dunes from Zapata Falls trail

Water just below the falls

Water just below the falls

Water just below the falls

On a ledge below the 30 ft Zapata Falls

On a ledge below the 30 ft Zapata Falls

On a ledge below the 30 ft Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls exit

Zapata Falls exit

Zapata Falls exit

Entrance to the falls center left

Entrance to the falls center left

Entrance to the falls center left

Zapata Falls turnoff near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Zapata Falls turnoff near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Zapata Falls turnoff near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

30 ft tall Zapata Falls

30 ft tall Zapata Falls

30 ft tall Zapata Falls

30' Zapata Falls

30′ Zapata Falls

30′ Zapata Falls

The falls to scale

The falls to scale

The falls to scale

Zapata Falls exit

Zapata Falls exit

Zapata Falls exit

Zapata Falls May 2018

Zapata Falls May 2018

Zapata Falls May 2018

GPX Route with Elevation

Video Tour

Trail Directions

From the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, drive south about 8 miles, then turn left (east) onto a dirt road. Drive the remaining 3.5 miles to the trailhead.

To view the falls, hike about 1/2 mile, cross the creek, then scramble up the rocks and stream into a crevasse where the 30 ft. high falls cascade down.

Trailhead Directions

Weather