Dunes and Peaks

The grind is finally over, and now it's time for business! The serious hiking starts here at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, the location of the highest sand dunes in North America.

From the park, the route is quite simple. Abutting the sand dunes is the Sangres de Cristo Range aka the "Blood of Christ." I gain and run the ridge for a week and, hopefully, not get Harry Potter'd.

The traverse stays on the ridge the entire time except for skirting the Crestones, two 14ers in the way. The only thing is, 31 13ers are in the way instead! And if I ain't having enough fun yet, 15 more 13ers are within striking distance on the side.

Yep, it's a peak bagging extravaganza!