Despite our trip reaching its formal conclusion, we snuck in one last (amazing) geologic experience: Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park. A crook in the line of Sangre de Christo Mountains has allowed strong westerly winds blowing pleistocene Lake Alamosa sediments to form a vast accumulation of sediments. Small rivers around the margins of the dunefield help keep the sand tightly confined, growing to over 200 meters.
We spent our final morning playing in this dramatic interaction of Precambrian / Laramide uplifted Sangre de Christo mtns, eroded San Juan material, paleolakes and modern winds. We then spent the afternoon picking sand out of everywhere during our egress to the airport. A great trip conclusion!
-
- Into the Dunes!
-
- Medano Creek carrying some funky organic foams…. ? This is a question for hydrologists
-
- Saltating sands
-
- Lonely biological remnants
-
- Blowing sands finds its way everywhere
-
- Even more great rocks to be found at the airport!
Great Sands and the Sangres in the distance