Packing the fam up and doing Medano pass June 12-14 if anyone wants to join. Do some camping and hit the dunes for a bit
Printable View
Packing the fam up and doing Medano pass June 12-14 if anyone wants to join. Do some camping and hit the dunes for a bit
That's been on my list for a couple years. Perhaps.
Are you planning to run the pass into the national park, or out of the national park?
[QUOTE=open_circuit;336915]That's been on my list for a couple years. Perhaps.
Are you planning to run the pass into the national park, or out of the national park?[/QUOTE]
My thoughts were to go into the park. I’m thinking maybe leave early Saturday morning instead of Friday afternoon take the trail into the park camp Saturday night then spend Sunday putting around the dunes.
But honestly we are up for whatever it’s on the list of trails to do so we don’t really care which direction we take
I don't know if it matters which direction to go, other than planning out the days around it. I last was at the dunes a couple summers ago, but didn't bring the Jeep. It was a pretty long drive to get there, and we spent the night in Walsenburg before heading into the dunes the next morning. I'm not familiar with where the northern terminus of the trail is, so I guess I don't know how long the drive to get to the trail is. It might be a very long day from the northern Denver suburbs to get to the trail and then run the trail in the same day. I don't think the trail is supposed to be particularly challenging or long if the water crossings are not impassably high, so that helps.
It’s about 4 hour drive down there and the trail is supposed to take about 2.5-3 hours
We are also cool with driving down hanging out and camping Saturday then head out early Sunday hit the trail and head home from there.....
I drove it a few years ago. We started at the Eastern end near the Sangre De Cristo mtns. Went through the town of Westcliffe on the way there. Camped at the Crestone Needle trailhead then ran it to the Sandunes. It was easy though water was low.
Interested. Never have. Camping would be good. Open for about anything / where the wind blows.
My 10 year old is interested. Put us down for a yes.
This has been on my bucket list for a while along the Blanca. I may try to make it.
Is the park going to be open then? I just tried calling to ask some questions, and the recording at the Sand Dunes NP phone number still says the park is closed effective April 17 until further notice.
Edit: I see on the park website they will begin reopening on June 3, and the primitive road, campsites, and main park roads are expected to open then.
I was (am) concerned about whether we need a reservation to access the park, since Rocky Mountain National Park is only allowing entrance with reservation in advance -- thus the reason for me trying to call the park. I don't see any information about reservations being required on the park website, however, so it looks like it shouldn't be a problem.
[QUOTE=open_circuit;336926]Is the park going to be open then? I just tried calling to ask some questions, and the recording at the Sand Dunes NP phone number still says the park is closed effective April 17 until further notice.
Edit: I see on the park website they will begin reopening on June 3, and the primitive road, campsites, and main park roads are expected to open then.
I was (am) concerned about whether we need a reservation to access the park, since Rocky Mountain National Park is only allowing entrance with reservation in advance -- thus the reason for me trying to call the park. I don't see any information about reservations being required on the park website, however, so it looks like it shouldn't be a problem.[/QUOTE]
Fyi reservations are made thru recreation.gov for rmnp. I assume they would be for all parks requiring reservations. You may be able to find more info on that site.
I made one for this friday in rmnp. There is a $2.00 service charge plus entrance fee. You need reservations for each day in the park. I am entering via the McGraw ranch and asked a ranger if one required a reservation when not entering via a manned station and you do.
Just a bit of info that I hope might help.
Thanks much, Tom. That's the sort of information I am looking for. I'll try to call the park later this week or next week to ask about any policies like this as well.
[QUOTE=open_circuit;336931]Thanks much, Tom. That's the sort of information I am looking for. I'll try to call the park later this week or next week to ask about any policies like this as well.[/QUOTE]
they open Wed
[URL]https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-pass-road.htm[/URL]
[URL]https://www.nps.gov/grsa/learn/news/phased-reopening-begins-june-3.htm[/URL]
hoping to go there later this month :thumb:
[QUOTE=Paul;336937][URL]https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-pass-road.htm[/URL]
[URL]https://www.nps.gov/grsa/learn/news/phased-reopening-begins-june-3.htm[/URL]
hoping to go there later this month :thumb:[/QUOTE]
so the pass is open on the 3rd but no camping until mid June? Maybe the weekend of the trip will be mid june
Is that established campground camping or dispersed camping?
[QUOTE=Mobyjeep;336943]so the pass is open on the 3rd but no camping until mid June? Maybe the weekend of the trip will be mid june[/QUOTE]
I see in the list of open items "medano pass primitive road, including numbered campsites on first come first serve basis". The pinon campground does not appear to be open on June 3 though. Sounds like dispersed camping at the limited marked sites (which have bear boxes) is ok if you can snag a site
[QUOTE=open_circuit;336946]I see in the list of open items "medano pass primitive road, including numbered campsites on first come first serve basis". The pinon campground does not appear to be open on June 3 though. Sounds like dispersed camping at the limited marked sites (which have bear boxes) is ok if you can snag a site[/QUOTE]
For everyone interested:
Where are you coming from
where should we meet and what time? Any thoughts?
im coming from Edgewater (20th and Sheridan)