Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. 12-28-2022

Geraint December 28, 2022 16 Comments

Greetings from San Cristobal and beyond in the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. I hope everyone had a good holiday season, and it’s not over yet!

Christmas day we made a drive to the Great Sand Dunes, NP. We had a short hike across the sandy bottoms to where the dune grass grows and the climb up begins. The soft, late afternoon light was golden, highlighting the dune grass, against a backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo, (Rocky Mountains). We had a beautiful afternoon with family and drove home under twilight skies.

Dune Grass, Great sand dunes national park — Dune Grass, Great Sand Dunes National Park

I got into some abstract shots in the dune field, promising myself another trip back there soon to wander and shoot more abstracts.

Sand dunes abstract — Sand Dunes Abstract

As always, thank you for looking, and have a Happy New Year. G

White house, San Luis Valley, Colorado

Geraint September 9, 2018 3 Comments

White house with hay bales, San Luis Valley, Colorado. I never miss an opportunity to pull over at this location near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is just discernible on the right in front of the mountains. The hay bales add an element making the place feel less abandoned, almost like someone might be home. Thanks for looking. G

On The Back Of A Sand Dune

Geraint March 22, 2018 No Comments

On the back of a giant sand dune, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. You never know what shapes will come as the sun sets on the great dunes in the National Park. I thought this one resembled a dolphin leaping through the waves made by the prow of a ship. Thanks for looking. G

March Musings added

I’ve just added a March Musings, a photo essay in the San Luis Valley Free PDF Download

Mule Deer, Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve

Geraint March 16, 2018 No Comments

Mule Deer, in the brush at the Great Sand Dunes NP, Colorado. Moseying around, munching on the shrubs, doing what deer do, all the while being sweet creatures and a wonderful sight at the National Park when they pop up out of the rabbit brush as we drive by. Thanks for looking. G

Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve

Geraint March 14, 2018 No Comments

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Colorado. Spent the day here today on a photo shoot. Spring break was happening behind us with visitors from half a dozen states on sand boards and sleds. Before us, toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains was pure serenity of rice grass, sand and sky. Thanks for looking. G

Sangre de Cristo Mountains And Great Sand Dunes

Geraint March 9, 2018 2 Comments

Sangre de Cristo Mountains dwarfing the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

“The large, main dune-field covers approximately 30 square miles, but there are many more square miles of smaller dunes in the sand sheet surrounding the main dune-field. At the widest point, the main dune-field runs six miles and at the greatest length, eight miles. Great Sand Dunes has the tallest dunes in North America. The Star Dune rises 755 feet from its base to its crest. The “High Dune” on the first ridge rises 699 feet from its base, but because it starts on higher ground, its crest is higher above sea level that of Star Dune.” National Park Service.

Some of the peaks in the Sangre de Cristo mountains are over 6000 feet higher reaching over 14,000 feet in height. All details aside, this stunning location across the San Luis Valley is fabulous for viewing the Sangre de Cristos in the southern Rockies and Great Sand Dunes together. Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve