Went to Great Stan Dunes yesterday to hike to the top of High Dune for sunset. Almost the entire way I was feeling a little bit smug, as the wind was nearly non-existent. Then, just shy of the top, the wind came roaring up the slopes with a brute force I don't think I've ever felt. It was NUTS! I'm glad it was calm when I set out, because I NEVER would've started hiking up there if it had been blowing like that. Once it started, I figured that, since I was so close, and since the hike kicked my butt so bad, there was no way I was turning back within 15 minutes of the top. Unfortunately, I got up there an hour before sunset, which meant an hour of alternating between standing on the ridge crest and getting sandblasted while struggling to stay upright, and dropping down below the other side of the ridge and enjoying a nice sand shower. Pretty wild, but ultimately worth it.
I started down right after the sun dipped below the horizon, and the clouds over the Sangres began to light up. Unfortunately, in this direction, it fizzled pretty quickly.
The best color was directly back towards the sun. I haven't yet processed any of those, but here's one of the dunes taking on the ethereal glow from above. That's all for now...
One other note: As I mentioned, this hike kicked my out-of-shape butt. As I was hiking back down, just below the top, I encountered a young twenty-something enjoying the sunset. As we talked, he said he had planned on running up to the top, but he was too tired -- he had climbed Little Bear Peak earlier that day. Suddenly I felt out of shape AND very, very old!
Great shots Todd. Maybe you should work on getting more out of shape, then you would have just made it in time for sunset and wouldn't have spent an hour getting pelted by sand!!
Those are just fantastic. You still are in better shape than me. Last time I went, I couldn't even make it to the top, and it was relatively calm. Looks kinda like "Dune" from the books because your comps show no end to the dunes. I really like the light and color in 3 and 4, but hope you have some without footsteps.
WOW!! These are extra nice Todd. The colors in #4 remind me of stuff shot on Velvia. Something about magenta and purple that Velvia goes crazy over. If one were so inclined to crank the contrast on #4, it would be a dead ringer for Velvia.
Killer light and color here, Todd. You've captured some amazing images. The sky looks like it cooperated too. Any crunchy noises coming from your camera now?
The light and sunset colors you saw and captured here must have made the effort worthwhile.
All four of these are excellent, with the last being my favorite.
As usual, a superb job of 'development', as well!
You've made it further than I, Todd! And you had a great lighting guy along for the trek! I have to go with the crowd - numbers 1 and 4 are my favorites, with #1 edging it out for the lead.
I watched that sunset from my living room with regret. Glad you caught it so well! My plans to get down to GSD keep dematerializing, so I'm enjoying seeing shot from those who do get down there. Thanks for sharing!
I think Stan the Dune Man might be jealous That's some sick light you got there! Out of shape or not, this place makes any trip a rewarding one and I can never get tired of looking at images from there!
Todd....these are some of your best work!! Absolutely love them.... everyone of them are great. I love these better than your ESS post....regards, Rajeev
Todd, these are drop-dead gorgeous!! That first one is completely out-of-this world. I agree with Rajeev, this is top notch even for you. I was planning to go up High Dune in a few days since i havent been up there in a while, but now youve changed my mind cause anything i get will just pale in comparison. Maybe ill bury my way unerneath High Dune and shoot from the interior.
Awesome! #1 is worth the work. Any filters in play here?
The wife and I are heading there this weekend. Other than hiking High Dunes for sunrise, can you recommend any other must do hikes? Oh by the way, we've never been there.
Wonderful shots. #1 and #3 are my favorites...
I haven't been there in ages, and considering how close it is, that's pretty inexcusable. The last time I was there, the blowing sand resulted in a pretty costly lens repair. I won't make that mistake again.
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40 repliesJohn
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John Zinn
Enduring Light Photography
"A moment in time... experienced, captured, preserved."
Site Updated 4/28
All four of these are excellent, with the last being my favorite.
As usual, a superb job of 'development', as well!
Wow!!
I watched that sunset from my living room with regret. Glad you caught it so well! My plans to get down to GSD keep dematerializing, so I'm enjoying seeing shot from those who do get down there. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing. Mouth-watering good.
The wife and I are heading there this weekend. Other than hiking High Dunes for sunrise, can you recommend any other must do hikes? Oh by the way, we've never been there.
Thanks,
Bert
I haven't been there in ages, and considering how close it is, that's pretty inexcusable. The last time I was there, the blowing sand resulted in a pretty costly lens repair. I won't make that mistake again.
Jim