Posted by Joseph Finn on July 20, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Needing some help, plan on visiting the Sand Dunes at the end of month, never been there as an adult, looking for the best times directions, areas to shoot from. I know many of you have spent some time in the area, thought I would ask. Thanks for your input, always appreciated.
If you just go to the main parking area and start walking towards the dunes, veering slightly to the SW, you'll have pretty good light at sunrise and sunset. Or at least late-afternoon. This time of year the sun sets north of west, but you should still get some good cross-lighting. Also keep an eye on your way in for fields of sunflowers in the flats all around the dunes. They grow in the dune field in late-August and early-September, but late-July for the areas around them.
If you've got the stamina, you could hike up to High Dune or Star Dune for sunset. Just remember, no matter when you go, to make a mental note of where the parking lot is for your trip back, especially if it's in the dark. I always thought they should put a little light there to mark it, but I can't imagine they're too concerned with the small number of people who hike out after dark.
If you have time, you could also take the main road farther through the park to the NE side of the dunes. It's probably not as photogenic as the area Todd mentioned, but there's some different type of scenery, like this: http://www.gcollier.com/Great-Sand-Dunes-trees.html - I guess this road can get pretty sandy, though it was easy when I went through.
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on July 20, 2008 at 11:10 PM
What Todd and Grant said.
Once the scenery unfolds in front of you, it will be clear where you need to go. Have fun.
The Sand Dunes is one of the few parks, where you don't see a "please stay on the trail" sign...at least on the Dunes....so you can obviously go anywhere. Though there are trails that lead up into the foothills of the Sangres if you want a higher view. If it's good light, it's kind of like the Grand Canyon...you just sit and watch it play on the Dunes and snap away. I've found a telephoto very handy to isolate compositions in this place. Also, you can drive into the back country, but you need a four wheel drive and I've actually heard that people deflate their tires to make it through the sand. Never done it, but I have hiked a ways back up Medano creek, which is usually dried up, but it's a great way to get away from it all. Have fun...it's a fantastic place!
Just to piggy-back what Cynthia said, if you take the 4x4 trail to the back country, deflating your tires will definitely help with traction. Don't worry though -- there is an air filling station next to the main dumpsters to fill your tires back up upon return.
Discussion
6 repliesIf you've got the stamina, you could hike up to High Dune or Star Dune for sunset. Just remember, no matter when you go, to make a mental note of where the parking lot is for your trip back, especially if it's in the dark. I always thought they should put a little light there to mark it, but I can't imagine they're too concerned with the small number of people who hike out after dark.
If you have time, you could also take the main road farther through the park to the NE side of the dunes. It's probably not as photogenic as the area Todd mentioned, but there's some different type of scenery, like this: http://www.gcollier.com/Great-Sand-Dunes-trees.html - I guess this road can get pretty sandy, though it was easy when I went through.
Once the scenery unfolds in front of you, it will be clear where you need to go. Have fun.