Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO. - In the start of my RV life, this national park was the first stop on my adventure. This giant sand dune is formed from the evaporated lakes that used to dominate the area. As the lakes receded the exposed sand is/was blown by the southwest winds towards the mountain range they are buttressed up against.

As the wind whirlpools in eddy's at the foot of the mountains it deposits the sand. A small creek takes the sand from the front of the dunes and transports it to the back of the dunes, thus recycling the sand and building up the height of the dune.

These dunes reach 750 feet into the air and if you have ever walked on the beach, you know how hard it is to walk in sand. Now imaging having a vertical elevation gain in addition to the back sliding sand. It's defiantly a workout trying to get to the top of these dunes.