Great Sand Dunes National Park   Colorado            click to enlarge

Images of deserts or sand dunes always seem to exude warmth. They give you the impression that it would be warm there no matter what time of year it was. You wouldn’t need a down jacket or gloves but that’s not so for the Great Sand Dunes, it can get really cold and surprisingly grey when the clouds roll out over Kit Carson mountain and cover the dune field.

The dunes vary in elevation with the average around 8000 +, at least near the visitor center, and Mendano creek flows during high water times in the spring and early summer. That depends on the snow melt so there are times when the creek is empty, especially in the winter. No tiene aqua entonces. So swimming is definitely out. The lowest temp ever recorded in the dunes was -25 below in 1963 and they ‘re still trying to thaw out the swimmers from that day.

Whether it’s cold or warm the dunes are always beautiful. If the sun can make it out the dunes show the golden hues you expect and sunset is the best time for the colors of the park to brighten up a grey cold day. If you plan to visit bring your snuggies and bunny slippers because the temperature will fool you and freeze your little hiney off if you’re not careful. And don’t go swimming.