High Plains, Mountains, Sand

And acclimating to the elevation?

Camping near Mosca on the High Plains @ ~7,540′, at Ramble, a most interesting campground. There are Mountains, Sand and scrub brush all around us. Intended primarily as a “Glampground” for tenters (each site comes with a mini kitchen under a canopy), it’s dry camping for us (no hookups), but we loved it (even if it was ~5 miles of unpaved road to get in and out).

Beautiful sunsets, sunrises, and just different skies all the time (afternoon wind & storms). We could see for miles, including all the way (~20 miles) to the Great Sand Dunes, tucked up against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Plus, Colorado schools have started, so we were virtually alone in the campground, until last night (4 other campsites taken).

Visits to 2 (in 1) new National Park Site(s):

• Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (#365 & 366), where the tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. It is also an International Dark Sky Park (we were here at the Full Moon).  The National Park primarily protects the Sand Dunes and the National Preserve primarily protects some of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which which supply the water to sustain the Dunes. The formation of the Sand Dunes is fascinating!
  
  Wednesday we started at the Visitor Center & Nature Trail, visited the edge of the Dunes (just the “edge”, as hiking in soft sand is not our thing), and then drove to Pinon Flats at the end of the road to hike the 2-mile RT trail up to the Dunes Overlook.
  
  Thursday we returned to hike the 7-mile RT trail up to the summit of Mosca Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The trail follows a small creek, winding through pine woodlands, aspen groves, and montane meadows. Starting at 8,250′, the high point was 9,714′ elevation. We did it, with a lunch stop, in ~5 hours. It helped that much of the trail was in shade, and the steepest/rockiest part was at the start. Must be acclimating to the elevation, as we had the energy to stop at nearby Zapata Falls (Bureau of Land Management site) and hike another mile, before returning to camp. Lovely day.

A day (mostly) in camp

Lazy day yesterday, although we did do the 2.5 mile trail around the campground. Otherwise just hung out, until we went to nearby Alamosa for an Italian dinner out, in an old church. ACKNOWLEGEMENT…we realize this post is VERY RARE, with so many pictures at/from our campground!

On our way to Colorado Springs!

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