Adventures with Alan visits the Great Sand Dunes National Park
Ryan Mutch
and last updated 2021-05-25 20:36:33-04
MOSCA â In our exclusive new series Adventures with Alan, we ll travel across Southern Colorado week-by-week to show you thrills and chills, hidden gems and well-known spots.
More than 150 miles from Colorado Springs, our adventure this week takes us to one of the most popular places in the San Luis Valley.
The Great Sand Dunes date back more than 400,000 years, and were formed when sand from the San Juan Mountains collected against the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Today, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve covers nearly 240 square miles, an area larger than the city of Colorado Springs.
Today
Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..
Tonight
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. A few storms may be severe. Low 46F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Updated: May 15, 2021 @ 11:39 am
photos by Christian Murdock, The Gazette
Today
A steady rain in the morning. Showers continuing in the afternoon. High 43F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..
Tonight
Rain showers early mixing with snow showers late. Low 34F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 60%. Updated: May 3, 2021 @ 1:46 am
photos by Christian Murdock, The Gazette
photos by Christian Murdock, The Gazette
Christian Murdock/The Gazette
Christian Murdock/The Gazette
Christian Murdock/The Gazette
Christian Murdock/The Gazette
Christian Murdock/The Gazette
A seasonal phenomenon like no other across Colorado s natural sanctuaries is starting to show.
But it might be a few more weeks before the ultimate surge flow at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, rangers say. That s the term for Medano Creek s rhythmic waves, which in years of intense runoff can swell up to a foot high at the base of the dunes.
That type of surge is not expected this year. Based on snowpack measured in the surrounding mountains, forecasters are calling for average conditions. In such years, the park maintains peak flows of 40 cubic feet per second, typically occurring in late May and early June.