This created a continual sand source for the growing dunes for quite some time, allowing the dunes to accumulate enough sand to reach their current massive size. American Indians and early settlers used this route for travel between the San Luis Valley and the Wet Mountain Valley to the east. The explorers were soon followed by settlers who ranched, farmed, and mined in the valley starting in the late 19th century. A series of interviews were held in recent years with an exceptional group of men and women who have early family ties to the Great Sand Dunes area. The idea that the Dunes could be destroyed by gold mining or concrete-making alarmed residents of Alamosa and Monte Vista. Great Sand Dunes National Park Travel Guide - National Geographic [44], Medano Pass Road is a 22mi (35km) four-wheel drive (4WD) road that begins where the main park road ends. As the climate naturally changed, the vast lake system was reduced to the small wetlands present today. Low temperatures during winter nights can be extremely cold, with average low temperatures well below 32F (0C) and record low temperatures below 0F (18C) from November through April. [35], More than 250 species of birds have been documented in the park and preserve. [13] Sand wheelchairs are available at the visitor center. The park runs for about 20 miles (32 km) along the southern shore of Lake Michigan and covers 15,349 acres . Great Sand Dunes National Park - HowStuffWorks For the people from the Tewa/Tiwa-speaking pueblos along the Rio Grande, it is a different spiritual link. The Gold Rush, 1853 and Later. "The lands being transferred to the Park contain important springs and wetlands that support a rich diversity of life," said Great Sand Dunes National Park Superintendent Pamela Rice. Lake Alamosa suddenly receded after it broke through volcanic deposits in the southern end of the valley. Below is a history of those who have travelled through or lived near this natural landmark. [10], The sabkha is a wetland region where groundwater rises and falls seasonally, leaving white alkali deposits on the surface. Great Sand Dunes National Park - NASA Earth Observatory Two mountain ranges, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Juan Mountains, sit side-by-side, creating a semicircular rim. Today, we can only imagine the three-way cultural tension in that moment. Active placer mining operations sprang up along Medano Creek, and in 1932 the Volcanic Mining Company established a gold mill designed to recover gold from the sand. Medano Pass, also known as Sand Hill Pass, and Mosca Pass, also called Robidouxs Pass, offered more direct routes from the growing front-range cities and dropped into the San Luis Valley just east of the Great Sand Dunes. Other families homesteaded near the Dunes as well, including the Teofilo Trujillo family, who raised sheep west of the Dunes, and Frank and Virginia Wellington, who built the cabin and hand-dug the irrigation ditch that parallels Wellington Ditch Trail, just south of todays campground. This brief animation shows the lakes drying up, and the dunefield emerging in a pocket of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Other features include snow-fed creeks originating high in the mountains, and several alpine lakes. John C. Fremont, 1848 In 2004 it was re-designated as Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve by an act of Congress. While these various tribes were here at the dunes, they collected the inner layers of bark from ponderosa pine trees, using them as food and medicine. The park's origins trace to 1932, when the Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established. The Sand Ramp Trail traverses between the dune field and the mountains, connecting the park's campground to Medano Pass Road (follow the road up to Medano Lake and Pass), as well as the base of the Sand Creek Trail. "[61] The new designation as a national park and preserve was made official in September 2004 after sufficient land had been acquired, quadrupling its size. This humming sound continues to inspire people today! At Great Sand Dunes, come and listen to a choir of sand. . In the late 17th century, Diego de Vargas, a Spanish governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo Mxico, became the first European on record to enter the San Luis Valley. They remember a traditional site of great importance located in the San Luis Valley near the Dunes: the lake through which their people emerged into the present world. He crossed the Sangre de Cristos into the San Luis Valley in winter, courting disaster but proving that a winter crossing of this range was possible. Based at nearby Fort Garland, the 9th Cavalry once even evicted white setters who had encroached on recognized Ute tribal lands. The dunefield's Kppen climate classification type is cold semi-arid (BSk),[25] while the mountainous preserve's climate type is warm-summer humid continental (Dfb), at an average elevation of 10,970ft (3,344m). [2] Similar support in the late 1990s resulted in the monument's redesignation as Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in 2000. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve - Britannica [8] The forested and often snowcapped mountains exceeding 13,000ft (4,000m) to the east is the most prominent feature, towering over the high dunes. The dunes are located within the San Luis Valley between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains. When the water evaporates away in late summer, minerals similar to baking soda cement sand grains together into a hard, white crust. Experience active nightlife inGreat Sand Dunes when the sun sets. Wetlands speckle the San Luis Valley and are important habitats for sandhill cranes, shore birds, amphibians, dragonflies, and freshwater shrimp. The dunes at Great Sand Dunes form on different scales and develop on differing timeframes. A fence surrounds the property to contain the Conservancy's bison herd and demarcate the boundaries. [7] The dunes cover an area of about 30sqmi (78km2) and are estimated to contain over 1.2 cubic miles (5billion cubic metres) of sand. The "surge flow" mainly occurs during the peak flow period from late May to early June in most years. NPS. Listen to them tell their stories on The Memory Oasis. When you visit, hike up the dunes and slide down on a sandboard or sand sled. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an American national park that conserves an area of large sand dunes up to 750 feet (230m) tall[5] on the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley, and an adjacent national preserve in the Sangre de Cristo Range, in south-central Colorado, United States. His journal from January 28th, 1807, reads: "After marching some miles, we discovered at the foot of the White Mountains [todays Sangre de Cristos] which we were then descending, sandy hillsWhen we encamped, I ascended one of the largest hills of sand, and with my glass could discover a large river [the Rio Grande] The sand-hills extended up and down the foot of the White Mountains about 15 miles, and appeared to be about 5 miles in width. Overnight guests at the Zapata Ranch may take guided trips into the park; Zapata Partners is the only NPS-licensed provider of horseback riding in the Great Sand Dunes. This wilderness is the only one in the U.S. that protects a saltbush-greasewood ecosystem and includes the entire dune field as well as much of the area west of the dunes. Barchan and transverse dunes form near these creeks. At this time, the valley was a travel route between the High Plains and Santa Fe for Comanches, Utes, and Spanish soldiers. A trail to Medano Lake and the summit of Mount Herard is located off Medano Pass Road. Wetlands, like the one shown in the photo, are a dynamic home for many creatures including freshwater shrimp. [8], The dune field is composed of reversing dunes, transverse dunesalso called crescentic or barchan dunesand star dunes. Gold and silver rushes occurred around the Rockies after 1853, bringing miners by the thousands into the state and stimulating mining businesses that operate to this day. The columbian mammoth, even larger than its well known cousin the woolly mammoth, had teeth the size of a human head and once roamed San Luis Valley. They call the lake Sip'ophe (Sandy Place Lake), which is thought to be the springs or lakes immediately west of the dune field. [11], The Herard familyafter whom Mount Herard is named[17]established a ranch and homestead along Medano Creek in 1875, using the old Medano Pass Road to travel to and from their home. As Lewis and Clark's expedition was returning east, U.S. Army Lt. Pike was commissioned to explore as far west as the Arkansas and Red Rivers. This means that the parks rare combination of dry air, little light pollution and high elevation makes it perfect for viewing galaxies. As people established homes, they often petitioned the US Postal Department for post offices to serve their tiny villages. Climate change later significantly reduced these lakes, leaving behind the sand sheet. Park visitors must bring all their own gear for backcountry camping, hiking, backpacking, boating, and dog sledding. The Baca Ranch had property located in the valley and the adjacent mountains, ranging in elevation from 7,500ft (2,286m) west of the dunes to the 14,165ft (4,317m) summit of Kit Carson Peak. There are over 105,000 acres encompassed within the park, with an additional 40,000 acres protected by the preserve. How do dunes grow? Originally designated as a national monument in 1932, the Great Sand Dunes attained official national park and preserve status in 2004. Stewarding Conservation and Powering Our Future, about Public Servants are the Backbone of Interior, about Explore Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage, Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme, Secretarial Schedules (July 2018-July2019), Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, on March 17, 1932 by President Herbert Hoover, Experience active nightlife inGreat Sand Dunes when the sun sets, Over 200 of the parks ponderosa pines are the only grove of trees on the National Register of Historic Places, called Indian Grove, Make sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing year round, peak at 150F (65 degrees C) on a sunny summer afternoon and drop to -20F (-29 degrees C) on a winters night, isitors can sand board and sand sled with the right gear and conditions, Visitors enjoy surfing, skimboarding, rafting and sand castle building in Colorados Natural Beach, Public Servants are the Backbone of Interior, Explore Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage, Interior Department Takes Action to Strengthen Endangered Species Protections. Alpine tundra is the highest feature in the Great Sand Dunes system. The lack of new sand coming in suggests that the overall size of the dunefield isnt growing, but the dunes within are constantly moving in complex patterns. Although we dont know the names or languages of those earliest people, modern Indigenous tribes were familiar with the area when Spaniards first arrived about 400 years ago. [32][33], Among the flowering plants are alpine phlox, dwarf clover, alpine forget-me-not, fairy primrose, alpine aven, Indian paintbrush, lousewort, blue-purple penstemon, aspen daisy, western paintbrush, elephantella, snow buttercups, scurfpea, Indian ricegrass, blowout grass, prairie sunflower, Rocky Mountain beeplant, rubber rabbitbrush, speargrass, small-flowered sand verbena, narrowleaf yucca, prickly pear cactus, Rocky Mountain iris, and white water buttercup. African American Buffalo Soldiers patrolled the Great Sand Dunes region from 1876-1879, courageously working to protect both settlers and tribes during a volatile era. Hiking the dunes is one of the most popular park activities. [60], The eventual redesignation as Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was authorized on November 22, 2000, when President Bill Clinton signed the Congressionally-approved Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act. [11], Modern American Indian tribes were familiar with the area when Spaniards first arrived in the 17th century. The sediment filling these lakes became the main source of sand for the dunes. Areas of sabkha can be found throughout western portions of the sand sheet, wherever the water table meets the surface. The massive dunes have been building and drifting for eons, forever changing their shape. Once that first mound forms, sand piles up on the windward side more and more until the edge of the dune collapses under its own weight. White Sands National Park - Wikipedia The Great Sand Dunes are located in the high elevation desert of the San Luis Valley at about 7,694ft (2,345m), just west of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The land includes the area presently occupied by the bison herd, as well as adjacent meadows and wetland areas. Terrain: Sand dunes, desert valley, alpine tundra, and forest. What brought those early people here? At subalpine elevations near the tree line grow krummholz (meaning "crooked wood")trees that are stunted and twisted due to high winds, snow, ice, short growing seasons, and shallow, poorly developed soils. After thousands of years, these tiny fragments of rock begin to add up, gradually forming the largest dunes in North America. These vast stretches of grass and wildflowers surround the dunefield on three sides. Visitors enjoy surfing, skimboarding, rafting and sand castle building in Colorados Natural Beach'. Gunnison's party crossed the dune field on horseback. At other times, some of these migrating dunes become covered by grasses and shrubs and stop migrating. Lean in for a sniff of these majestic pines, and you can smell the enticing scent of vanilla. The moisture content of 7% beneath the surface sand allows species such as Ord's kangaroo rat, Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, scurfpea, and blowout grass to survive here. While the top few inches of sand are blown around during windstorms, the moist sand remains largely in place. The trees were historically peeled in the early 19th century for food and medicine by Native American tribes. [3] The park encompasses 107,342 acres (167.7sqmi; 434.4km2) while the preserve protects an additional 41,686 acres (65.1sqmi; 168.7km2) for a total of 149,028 acres (232.9sqmi; 603.1km2). Today, tribes such as the Jicarilla Apache have an enduring relationship with the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the National Park Service, and regularly hold cultural and ceremonial events in their traditional homeland. [24] The major roads through the San Luis Valley are U.S. Route 160 on an eastwest alignment passing south of the park, and U.S. Route 285 on a northsouth alignment passing west of the park and generally parallel to Colorado State Highway 17, which is the closer of the two northsouth roadways.[24]. The Herards grazed and bred cattle in the mountain meadows, raised horses, and established a trout hatchery in the stream. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Facts - Softschools.com [12] Hiking is permitted throughout the dunes with the warning that the sand surface temperature may reach 150 F (66 C) in summer. Twenty years of gps measurements shows that individual dune ridges are constantly on the move. Some wetlands in the sabkha are deeper with plentiful plants and animals, while others are shallow and salty. Sediment grains larger than sand are too heavy to be moved by the wind, while grains smaller than sand are light enough to be picked up and held by the wind and carried away. In a high-water year, the surges can be as high as 20in (51cm). Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve - Wikipedia It is the most visited NPS site in New Mexico, with about 600,000 visitors each year. Contents 1 History of the area 2 Plants and animals 3 Activities 3.1 Landmarks 4 Types of areas 5 Visitor information History of the area Great Sand Dunes' Founding Legislation: A Timeline - U.S. National Park Almost 90% of the sand deposit is found in the sand sheet, while the remainder is found in the dune field. The average winter high temperatures are just above freezing even in January, which is the coldest month. In January, snow falls on the dunes about once per week. Activities at the Dunes Discover the magic of the dunes in a multitude of ways. Modern Indigenous Tribes. Small parabolic dunes form in the sand sheet and then migrate into the main dunefield. The Trujillo Homesteads National Historic Landmark preserves an important piece of the volatile history of settlement near Great Sand Dunes. The people from the Tewa/Tiwa-speaking pueblos along the Rio Grande remember a traditional site of great importance located in the valley near the dunes: the lake through which their people emerged into the present world. Browse Fort Garland's website for details, and view photos of Fort Garland and its living history events on Flickr. Plan your trip today. People had frequently speculated that gold might be present in the Great Sand Dunes, and local newspapers ran articles in the 1920s estimating its worth at anywhere from 17 cents/ton to $3/ton (equivalent to $2/ton to $44/ton today). [58] The land is within the MedanoZapata Ranch, located to the west and south. From the Rio Grande River and its tributaries, soil and sand blow into the valley. Widely supported by local people, a presidential proclamation was signed in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover. [52][53] Congress also designated the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness in 1993, which contains a total of 219,900 acres (343.6sqmi; 889.9km2) of mountainous terrain. The Great Sand Dunes Park is located within a high desert, with both summer . In late spring, when Medano Creek usually has its peak flow, snow, and high winds are still possible. [11] The original monument boundaries protected an area of 35,528 acres (55.5sqmi; 143.8km2). The wealth of their knowledge speaks of the kinds of joys and struggles experienced by people everywhere. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. From higher to lower elevations, and dependent on season, some of the bird species include the brown-capped rosy finch, white-tailed ptarmigan, red-breasted nuthatch, peregrine falcon, mountain bluebird, northern pygmy owl, dusky grouse, hummingbird (four species), western tanager, burrowing owl, bald eagle, golden eagle, sandhill crane, American avocet, and great blue heron. The dune sand begins just above the clay deposits of Lake Alamosa, so if Lake Alamosa disappeared about 440,000 years ago, then there have been dunes here since then. [9], Sand that was left behind after the lakes receded blew with the predominant southwest winds toward a low curve in the Sangre de Cristo Range. In this 8-minute video podcast, Park Ranger Ravis Henry sings and tells their story of Sisnaajini - the White Shell Mountain, as well as the importance of Great Sand Dunes to his people. [41], Medano Creek, which borders the east side of the dunes, never finds a permanent and stable streambed as fresh sand falls in the creek. Widely supported by local people, the bill was signed into law in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover. The oldest dated deposits found so far would have accumulated in the late Pleistocene epoch, during the middle years of the current ice age's third stage. Recent scientific research suggests that the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado began forming around 440,000 years ago, after a large inland lake that once covered the San Luis Valley - named "Lake Alamosa" when evidence of the lakebed was discovered in 2002 - dried up due to climate change. Summer nights are coolthe park is located 8,200ft (2,500m) above sea levelwith nighttime temperatures often dropping below 50F (10C). [6] Elevations range from 7,515ft (2,291m) in the valley west of the dunes, to 13,604ft (4,146m) at the summit of Tijeras Peak in the northern part of the preserve. [39], The park harbors several endemic insects including the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, a circus beetle (Eleodes hirtipennis), Werner's (Amblyderus werneri) and Triplehorn's (Amblyderus triplehorni) ant-like flower beetle, as well as undescribed species of clown beetle, noctuid moth, and robber fly. Wind then blew the sand toward the bend in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where opposing storm winds helped squeeze the sand into the tall dunes you see today. Indiana Dunes National Park - Wikipedia Also, the main dune field is moist beneath a thin layer of dry surface sand. The park contains dunes over 227 meters (about 750 feet) high . Here, the conditions are too harsh for trees to survive, but beautiful wildflowers and bighorn sheep are present. Sand dunes are created when wind deposits sand on top of each other until a small mound starts to form. Visitors also hike the dunes at night, once the temperatures have cooled off from the hot summers day. Learn more about the hydrology of Great Sand Dunes. If the deepest sand deposits can be accurately dated, the age of the dunes could be determined. Blanca Peak (14,345 feet/4,372m), located just south of Great Sand Dunes, is one of four sacred mountains to the Navajo (Dine') people. In the years that followed, the Rockies were gradually explored, treaties were signed and broken with resident tribes, and people with widely differing goals flooded into Colorado from the United States and Mexico. Located in the town of Fort Garland, Colorado, on US Highway 160. People and Great Sand Dunes: An Enduring Connection. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve never stays the same, providing a distinctly unique experience for each visitor. [11], In 1694, Don Diego de Vargas became the first European known to have entered the San Luis Valley, although herders and hunters from the Spanish colonies in present-day northern New Mexico probably entered the valley as early as 1598. As children, many of these people were raised in sight of the dunes where they spent countless mornings in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Lake Alamosa suddenly receded after its extreme water pressure broke through volcanic deposits in the southern end of the valley. In the rich tapestry of indigenous history, nineteen Native American tribes have maintained active cultural affiliation to the park and surrounding lands. This combination of opposing winds, a huge supply of sand from the valley floor, and the sand recycling action of the creeks, are all part of the reason that these are the tallest dunes in North America. The San Juan Mountains were created through extended and dramatic volcanic activity. [27] Precipitation is very low on the dunes, averaging just 11.13 inches (283mm) of rainfall per year. Dunes of the World. These dunes make up the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Mosca, It is possible that lots of new sand enters the dunefield when climatic conditions decrease the vegetation on the sand sheet, such as during an ice age, when its cold or during extremely dry periods. Park Archives: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve - NPS History
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