We are off to explore
some of the forested sections that front the dunes along Medano Pass Primitive Road that tracks along Medano Creek. We know before we start that we can’t go past the 6th creek crossing since water is high and there is lots of mud. Many are getting stuck. We hope to get that far. One mile in and we encounter “deep, soft sand” warning signs with advice to reduce air pressure to navigate. Rats, too daunting. We park at “The Point of no Return” and set out on foot. Sand Ramp Trail runs along the forest edge with some nice views of the dunes but the mosquitos are thick and ruthless. We make it 2.5 miles out then turn back, actually opting to walk back the road to avoid the buggiest sections. All told we see 2 cottontails and a green tailed towhee, not a wonderful critter count. We dally a bit to wade in
Medano Creek cooling our toes in the ever-changing flow streams. We make a couple more stops (in breezy areas) to enjoy views. We are relieved to get back to the truck but unhappy that we made the trek.
Day two at Great Sand Dunes
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This is high desert after all! Nope, they decend upon us in clouds and even with repellant we scurry out of vegetation onto the wind-swept sand field to find relief. Medano Creek originates as snow melt high in the Sangre De Cristo mountains and wraps around this side of the dune field. It has reduced in flow since spring peak but it is still amazing to see it here. I take off my shoes and splash through the wonderfully cool braided rivulets. We witness pulse flow; a phenomenon caused as temporary sand dams in the flow form and collapse with the water flow. Pretty cool. It is a fun crossing.
It was built around 1925 by Baldwin Locomotive.
The route passes through steep-walled river-carved ravines and broad U-shaped valleys cut by glaciers, the rail bed sometimes carved into cliff faces or twisting past steep rocky cuts; most notable Toltec Gorge. We cross Cumbres Pass through the San Juan Mountains at 10,015ft elevation. From Chama to Osier (about half way) the route spends much of its mileage climbing, including plenty of 4% grade so we have lots of opportunity to hear and watch the engine really work. Best views come in the stacked tight curves laid out to make the climb without exceeding possible grade. There are tunnels and trestles of course. We spot wildlife too; elk, some a binocular distance and even a small band bedded down just 100 ft or so from the track. There are pronghorn, a mule deer, and prairie dog. An earlier trip saw black bear but not us. Scenery is spectacular nearly the whole ride leaving me to comment more than once,” I could live here”, as we roll past 1800 homesteads and modern cabins dotting the wide valleys. Sage brush plains near Antonito are not amazing to look at but they do provide opportunity for pronghorn sighting.
The older locomotive, 463; owned by the city of Antonito, runs the less demanding Antonito side.
oldest town in Colorado. We check out a major attraction, The Shrine of the Stations of the Cross, built by/funded by the Sangre de Cristo Parish. The bronze statues are amazingly detailed. I can’t avoid a lapse into the technical, what a magnificent application of lost wax bronze casting.
bird and wildlife watching. Neary all of the foot trails are closed to protect the breeding grounds of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher but there are a couple drives to check out. Wetland habitat is home for mallards, blue winged teal, yellow headed and lots of red wing blackbirds. We spot a Virginia Rail as it crossed the road in front of us, one bird we rarely get such a good look at. Bluff Overlook drive runs along a ledge with a wide view of the San Luis Valley. There are elk and odd-looking rock ledges turn out to be large herds of sheep tightly clustered together moving like a single mass.
for the NY visit – Willa’s 5th birthday. Cake baking and decorating is the first order of business. It’s a rainbow this year. Three batches of cake and an unbelievable amount of brightly colored buttercream icing. Check it out.
for the pre-k class and we are all invited. What a fun program. We love it Willa. We sneak a few no grand-kids moments. I get an evening out with just “my” boys and Kent and I have breakfast out with our guys. All too rare and cherished get-togethers.
The trail crosses a number of bridges and there are great huge old trees so there are lots of troll and ogre encounters. Good time had by all.
Day 10 we head to Point Pleasant, WV for Kent’s 50th class reunion. Traffic is surprisingly light given it is Friday of Memorial Weekend but we’ll take it. It is a beautiful morning and the drive is uneventful – other than a stop at Hillbilly Hotdog. Who could bypass that? We are settled in over in Gallipolis and the first gathering of old school buddies happens this evening.