Perfecting the Log Roll

Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America and also hosts insect species found no where else on earth. This beautiful and unique ecosystem was nothing like the 10 foot Atlantic seashore dunes I’ve grown up around. In the park there are literally mountains of sand. The tallest dune is approximately 750 feet of incredibly soft, fine sand. Our first view was breathtaking-- the huge sand dunes rose out of the flat plains and looked yellow, tan and red- surrounded by stoic snow peaked mountains on three sides.

As we made our way to the dunes, we walked out over the sand and waded through Medano Creek. The creek is a 10 mile long seasonal body of water, formed by melting snow in the surrounding mountains. The creek arrives from spring to early summer and creates a seashore of sorts for land locked Coloradoans lusting after the traditional beach experience available on the coasts.



See that yellow speck? That's me log rolling down the hill in my winter parka!
View more photos We walked on past the families playing in the icy water and building sand castles to climb deeper into the dunes. The sand is unmarred by shells or stones—-it feels like you’ve suddenly become a tiny ant crawling through a child’s sandbox filled mounds and valleys of sand. There are no marked trails and it is helpful to get your bearings with the solid landmasses that surround the dunes. People often snowboard or sled down the dunes but we didn’t come prepared. Instead as I was standing at the top of a dune I was inspired to roll down. We tumbled, and log rolled at incredible speeds. It was exhilarating, dizzying, and incredibly messy! When I landed at the bottom of one of the dunes I couldn’t move. The most I could do was lay there, looking at the panoramic sky, teeth, ears, and pockets filled with gritty sand. It was amazing, beautiful, and cleansing!

Tumbling was fun too!
View more photos If you go- take a moment to hike to the top, run a ways and then fling your body down the dunes with freedom you vaguely remember from childhood. Great Sand Dunes is a healing and inspiring place. Enjoy!

www.nps.gov/grsa/