I've driven Medano pass and been to the sand dunes since the early 70's. You used to be able to drive on the dunes😊. Had many picnics there. The trail to the lake and the Sangre De Cristo wilderness had not yet been declared. We used to camp right by the trailhead. Hiked to the lake many times. Sometimes in 5 ft of snow😂. I always wanted to hike the peak to see the dunes. You are a BOSS! Thank you for doing it and giving an old man a view of what may never be possible for me.👍
Did this hike a few weeks ago, definitely some of the first people to hike it this season. The road, as of late June, was definitely a moderately challenging one for a full size rig (F150). We didn't summit but there were a TON of down trees, bunch of big cat scat and very, very fresh tracks. Mosquitos were brutal...but we crushed it with our 10 and 8 year old!
I wanted to see a video on the Medano Pass and whether or not I'd be able to drive it in a F150 Crew cab, not sure if that's possible or not but man, I had a great time watching the video, it was excellent!
Just did it in June with our F150. I'm running a 2.5" level, 295 offroad tires and full skid plates. There was a monsoon 4 days before we drove it and it did a lot of damage...I did a review on Trails Offroad and said it should be a moderately rated trail, not easy. We handled it fine but there were some hard sections coming out of the last water crossing and if you go past this trailhead, some steep and very rocky sections. If you leave from the visitor center, definitely air down...I ran 30psi because it had just rained and the sand wasn't too bad. With tow mirrors, there's a section with two large boulders that was very tight. Great trail though!
Nice views from the mountain ridges. A little scary at times. I found the sand dunes were interesting. I didn't know that they were not only in the desert. The fall colours were beautiful. Thank you for taking me along.
Great video, thank you for sharing. You were not too far from my old stomping grounds. For some reason I always went west to explore. Good to see what is east.
Yeah, that is a Four Wheel Camper. It weighs 690 lbs dry, but I did put air bags and heavy leaf springs under the rear of the truck in order to better handle the load. I have found there is no "perfect" rig, but this thing is great for adventures such as this. You can search these campers out online, they are everywhere now. Luckily, I bought this thing before the recent explosion in demand & prices. They have somehow increased in value over the past couple of years. The camper is soft sided, and with a 300W solar panel on the roof, it is heavy to lift up, although some folks get mechanical lifters to lift the roof up when setting up camp. It is small, but cozy and the thing is a breeze to heat, being such a small space. I have a fridge and a small propane heater in there & it suits me well for overland pursuits.
@@theparkjunkie I think a popup camper is ideal for somebody with your lifestyle, but as somebody who might use it a couple of months a year at most, I couldn't justify the cost of a truck plus a popup camper. I bought a used teardrop trailer that I can pull with my small SUV and leave in the garage when it's not in use. I go straight to the campground and drop the trailer when I get to an area because the maneuverability when pulling the trailer is terrible. I wouldn't take it on a forest service road where I might need to turn around. Every camping option has its pros and cons.
This was good. Thanks. We're beginner 4wd and I hope this one is ok. It looked ok even for beginners as long as you take your time and use common sense.
Yes, it's not too bad, although there are a couple of sandy sections that can present a problem if not handled correctly. Enjoy your journey! It's a cool area!
Excellent adventure and video. It's a lot of work capturing all the hiking and driving views but it gives us a complete experience of the area. The area is one of my favorite places in the country - last time I was there we climbed Creston Peak and Creston Needle. Going over the needle was something I'll never forget. Great work - thanks for sharing.
I've been to Great Sand Dunes several times, love to hike the dunes at sunrise and have the place almost to myself.The Gator Farm and UFO Watchtower aren't too far away, both worth a stop if you're into roadside attractions. Nice footage of the fall colors...September/October is definitely a great time to be up in the Rockies. Thanks for taking us along on your scramble to the peak!
We hiked to the top of High Dune a couple years ago. It was great...but wow...tough hike! Hiking uphill in sand isn't fun. Only a few people made it all the way up.
I’m really enjoying your vlogs as I can’t travel so it’s like being there and seeing these great parks! Your truck (Frank) is awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Wow, that was great one, I really enjoy your channel so much and the amount of work put in to make these vids, Junkie can you tell me the make of camper on the truck, that is one nice rig you have there ! Thanks
Thanks Monster! Glad you enjoyed the tour. That is a Four Wheel Camper, the Eagle model. They are the lightest and most durable of the slide in models, or at least they were. So many different companies popping up out there, hard to say anymore. But it works for a mobile setup, no doubt! Cheers
stumbled across this video as I plan some trips this summer, hoping to get to Medano Pass and do the hike you did. And just wanna mention what an excellent video you made! your details and knowledge of the terrain made this a very informational and entertaining video. thanks for what you do, keep up the great work!
Great report, beautiful sights! But I'm way too old to be trying to get somewhere at the glacial pace you have to travel on those NP Access dirt roads!
That was fantastic. The day two Aspen strewn double track heading up Medano Pass was pure Colorado. And that shot of the reflection in the creek crossing that you (hiked across to set up?) captured was super pretty. Ridgeline looked hella sketchy! Fall here (we're in Boulder) is coming soon. Such a perfect season to be out and about.
No doubt Medano is spectac! I loved every minute of that trip... Yep, feelin fall in the air the past few days in Yell too... time to head to the desert! Zionbound soon(ish)... 🤷♂️
A fantastic video - you are a great videographer. I love the shots you get of Frank cruising through the water and roads and of you hiking. That sure adds extra work for you but just so you know, it's appreciated. I never would have known about the preserve part of the park, I always assumed it was just dunes so thank you for informing me :)
Great video. I got tired just watching you hike up the trails, lol... I was on a road trip in 1997. Got on US-160 at Walsenburg at I-25 in Colorado, and followed it all the way to US-89 in Arizona. (Grand Canyon.) It was my second major road-trip, and on a whim, decided to stop in at Great Sand Dunes National Monument. (It was a National Monument back then.) It wasn't on my itinerary at the time. It was... impressive. I'd been around the sand dunes on the East side of Lake Michigan, but they're nothing like the ones here. Unfortunately, I needed to be in Durango that night, so only spent a couple of hours, long enough to play in the sand and to find out the Dunes are haunted, lol. I don't think they're haunted, just a good place for alien ships to land and not be seen. The low end of the park is still like 7,500 feet ASL, so I don't think I'd be doing anything strenuous, anyway. Hiking at 13K would probably kill me. Sand is pretty fine, since it's all air borne from the San Luis desert, but it's not as bad as say, Pink Coral in Utah. This place is definitely worth a stop...
Great video! My wife and I visit in September and are hoping to hike to the lake. Are you aware of any transportation services or tour providers that would get us to & from the trailhead?
Glad you enjoyed the adventure! I didn't really plan on the hike, but just figured "why not" when I got up there... As far as transport services, I'm not sure. But here is some info to get you started. Please let me know how it goes! Cheers, t www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/commercial-tours-and-jeep-rentals.htm
I’m planing a trip to include Great Sand Dunes NP. I have a Subaru Crosstrek; however, I saw it says 4WD only. Are there other trails to see the sand dunes that my car would be able to make it successfully? Lol I love an adventure but I am not interested in getting an expensive tow. 😊 Thank you for your guidance! Happy hiking!
The Dunes are accessible right from the Visitor Center, but a few choose to drive down the Medano Pass Road as it offers access to a different area of the Dunes. Enjoy!
Great video, thanks for your effort to get to the summit of Mount Herard (looked a little harry in spots) to get the GREAT pics and views. How much extra time is added to your average video when you walk/hike back and forth to set up your camera for the hiking trail shots, I would think it adds at least 40 to 50 % . Thanks again
One of your most dramatic videos to date. I was hyperventilating as you ascended Mt. Herard! Love your introspective soliloquy after you descended Herard. Thanks for all you do. btw, what brand of shoes do you wear?
Yeah, it was pretty wild up there huh? 😳 It actually looks a bit worse on camera, believe it or not... In that video I was wearing a pair of La Sportiva Trail Runners, but not sure of the exact model. I am not specific to a shoe company, and I'll wear the the Alta Lone Peaks too, but usually not for mtn scrambling. I prefer something a bit more solid up there.
That is a manual setup, which is not easily lifted due to the 300w solar panel that I mounted on the rear of the roof. It works, but it would be a bit much for many folks, who would probably prefer the electric setup. I'll probably install such a device in the not-distant future.
Great trip and hike the video was amazing
I've driven Medano pass and been to the sand dunes since the early 70's. You used to be able to drive on the dunes😊. Had many picnics there. The trail to the lake and the Sangre De Cristo wilderness had not yet been declared. We used to camp right by the trailhead. Hiked to the lake many times. Sometimes in 5 ft of snow😂. I always wanted to hike the peak to see the dunes. You are a BOSS! Thank you for doing it and giving an old man a view of what may never be possible for me.👍
Me too great video
Love the colors, the views and the hat!
That was a great trip you took us on. Thanks.
Wow, what an incredible hike to the top of Mount Herard. Great video.
Such a great video, it could have lasted 2 more hours and I would have still been entertained. Such an inspiration. Thank you!
Thanks David! Glad to have you up on the mountain man!
I had fun watching your adventure! It’s like going somewhere and very informative. Thanks!
风景太美了！虽然听不懂，一点也不影响这么棒的视频！👍👍👍
Absolutely beautiful, we live in Colorado. Been to Great Sand Dunes numerous times but not up the trail. Thanks so much for sharing.
This is the best place in the country to live,!!
Did this hike a few weeks ago, definitely some of the first people to hike it this season. The road, as of late June, was definitely a moderately challenging one for a full size rig (F150). We didn't summit but there were a TON of down trees, bunch of big cat scat and very, very fresh tracks. Mosquitos were brutal...but we crushed it with our 10 and 8 year old!
I wanted to see a video on the Medano Pass and whether or not I'd be able to drive it in a F150 Crew cab, not sure if that's possible or not but man, I had a great time watching the video, it was excellent!
Just did it in June with our F150. I'm running a 2.5" level, 295 offroad tires and full skid plates. There was a monsoon 4 days before we drove it and it did a lot of damage...I did a review on Trails Offroad and said it should be a moderately rated trail, not easy. We handled it fine but there were some hard sections coming out of the last water crossing and if you go past this trailhead, some steep and very rocky sections. If you leave from the visitor center, definitely air down...I ran 30psi because it had just rained and the sand wasn't too bad. With tow mirrors, there's a section with two large boulders that was very tight. Great trail though!
Nice views from the mountain ridges. A little scary at times. I found the sand dunes were interesting. I didn't know that they were not only in the desert. The fall colours were beautiful. Thank you for taking me along.
Been on that trail many times. It is a fun trail. There are some tight spots too.
Yeah, a great drive... I really want to hit it again during the fall colors. I lucked out and nailed it last fall.
Wow. What a Great video. Love it very much. So glad I found you on UA-cam. Very good job on making this video and taking us along. Thanks do sharing.
Oh wow, just beautiful. 💓
Great video, thank you for sharing. You were not too far from my old stomping grounds. For some reason I always went west to explore. Good to see what is east.
Beautiful views! Thanks for sharing this with us 👍
Seen a lot of rigs, but nor a collapsible truck camper; can you tell us more about it!!
Thank you for sharing the journey!! Gorgeous!!
Yeah, that is a Four Wheel Camper. It weighs 690 lbs dry, but I did put air bags and heavy leaf springs under the rear of the truck in order to better handle the load. I have found there is no "perfect" rig, but this thing is great for adventures such as this. You can search these campers out online, they are everywhere now. Luckily, I bought this thing before the recent explosion in demand & prices. They have somehow increased in value over the past couple of years. The camper is soft sided, and with a 300W solar panel on the roof, it is heavy to lift up, although some folks get mechanical lifters to lift the roof up when setting up camp. It is small, but cozy and the thing is a breeze to heat, being such a small space. I have a fridge and a small propane heater in there & it suits me well for overland pursuits.
@@theparkjunkie I think a popup camper is ideal for somebody with your lifestyle, but as somebody who might use it a couple of months a year at most, I couldn't justify the cost of a truck plus a popup camper. I bought a used teardrop trailer that I can pull with my small SUV and leave in the garage when it's not in use. I go straight to the campground and drop the trailer when I get to an area because the maneuverability when pulling the trailer is terrible. I wouldn't take it on a forest service road where I might need to turn around. Every camping option has its pros and cons.
@@Don-md6wn Truth, each style of rig has advantages & disadvantages… I have had numerous combos & nothing was anywhere near perfect…
Awesome vidoe! Les Stroud vibes!
Greatly enjoyed your adventures, but wincing as you traversed the top of that rocky ridge. You must have no fear of heights!
I fell on my head as a child...
thx Park Junkie 👏🏻🧡
You’re welcome 🤙
Thank you for sharing, looking at hitting this place soon.
thankyou for sharing ...y'ol wiry Mt goat ...amazing!!!
Goats are some of my fave creatures... They can do anything.... 😳
One of my favorite parks for photography. Hike west pre-dawn to get away from all the footprints.
This was good. Thanks. We're beginner 4wd and I hope this one is ok. It looked ok even for beginners as long as you take your time and use common sense.
Yes, it's not too bad, although there are a couple of sandy sections that can present a problem if not handled correctly. Enjoy your journey! It's a cool area!
Love the Dunes. Drove some of this road a couple of years ago. Great access to the dunes and creek from the road.
Excellent adventure and video. It's a lot of work capturing all the hiking and driving views but it gives us a complete experience of the area. The area is one of my favorite places in the country - last time I was there we climbed Creston Peak and Creston Needle. Going over the needle was something I'll never forget. Great work - thanks for sharing.
Super cool area, and it's easy to escape the "crowds" of Great Sand Dunes...
What a masterpiece God made ❣️
I've been to Great Sand Dunes several times, love to hike the dunes at sunrise and have the place almost to myself.The Gator Farm and UFO Watchtower aren't too far away, both worth a stop if you're into roadside attractions. Nice footage of the fall colors...September/October is definitely a great time to be up in the Rockies. Thanks for taking us along on your scramble to the peak!
Yep, fall is the best time in my mind...
We hiked to the top of High Dune a couple years ago. It was great...but wow...tough hike! Hiking uphill in sand isn't fun. Only a few people made it all the way up.
Wow, that is beautiful! going to plan a trip there out of Denver soon. Been by there on the way to Durango but never stopped.
Now we want to go!!
It's all yours!
I’m really enjoying your vlogs as I can’t travel so it’s like being there and seeing these great parks! Your truck (Frank) is awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Yeah, Frankie is alright... We get along well... Thanks for watching!
Cool bud great to meet you today
@@ohiovalleystrongman Yeah Derrick, good luck in the competitions man!
Wow, that was great one, I really enjoy your channel so much and the amount of work put in to make these vids, Junkie can you tell me the make of camper on the truck, that is one nice rig you have there ! Thanks
Thanks Monster! Glad you enjoyed the tour. That is a Four Wheel Camper, the Eagle model. They are the lightest and most durable of the slide in models, or at least they were. So many different companies popping up out there, hard to say anymore. But it works for a mobile setup, no doubt! Cheers
stumbled across this video as I plan some trips this summer, hoping to get to Medano Pass and do the hike you did. And just wanna mention what an excellent video you made! your details and knowledge of the terrain made this a very informational and entertaining video. thanks for what you do, keep up the great work!
Great report, beautiful sights! But I'm way too old to be trying to get somewhere at the glacial pace you have to travel on those NP Access dirt roads!
Motorcycles speed up the pace a bit... just sayin...
That was fantastic. The day two Aspen strewn double track heading up Medano Pass was pure Colorado. And that shot of the reflection in the creek crossing that you (hiked across to set up?) captured was super pretty. Ridgeline looked hella sketchy! Fall here (we're in Boulder) is coming soon. Such a perfect season to be out and about.
No doubt Medano is spectac! I loved every minute of that trip... Yep, feelin fall in the air the past few days in Yell too... time to head to the desert! Zionbound soon(ish)... 🤷♂️
Oh a old video, wondered how you got from Yellowstone here so quick. 🤣😎
I know, right?
A fantastic video - you are a great videographer. I love the shots you get of Frank cruising through the water and roads and of you hiking. That sure adds extra work for you but just so you know, it's appreciated. I never would have known about the preserve part of the park, I always assumed it was just dunes so thank you for informing me :)
Yeah, that drive is spectac in the fall. Not the easiest trail for Frankie, but she's seen a lot worse... 😳
Great video. I got tired just watching you hike up the trails, lol...
I was on a road trip in 1997. Got on US-160 at Walsenburg at I-25 in Colorado, and followed it all the way to US-89 in Arizona. (Grand Canyon.)
It was my second major road-trip, and on a whim, decided to stop in at Great Sand Dunes National Monument. (It was a National Monument back then.) It wasn't on my itinerary at the time.
It was... impressive. I'd been around the sand dunes on the East side of Lake Michigan, but they're nothing like the ones here.
Unfortunately, I needed to be in Durango that night, so only spent a couple of hours, long enough to play in the sand and to find out the Dunes are haunted, lol. I don't think they're haunted, just a good place for alien ships to land and not be seen. The low end of the park is still like 7,500 feet ASL, so I don't think I'd be doing anything strenuous, anyway. Hiking at 13K would probably kill me.
Sand is pretty fine, since it's all air borne from the San Luis desert, but it's not as bad as say, Pink Coral in Utah. This place is definitely worth a stop...
I want to do this for years
Do it now...
@@theparkjunkie ❤️
Awful chemtrails remnants at 21:17
Really loved watching, ty
Great video! My wife and I visit in September and are hoping to hike to the lake. Are you aware of any transportation services or tour providers that would get us to & from the trailhead?
Glad you enjoyed the adventure! I didn't really plan on the hike, but just figured "why not" when I got up there...
As far as transport services, I'm not sure. But here is some info to get you started. Please let me know how it goes! Cheers, t
www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/commercial-tours-and-jeep-rentals.htm
I’m planing a trip to include Great Sand Dunes NP. I have a Subaru Crosstrek; however, I saw it says 4WD only. Are there other trails to see the sand dunes that my car would be able to make it successfully? Lol I love an adventure but I am not interested in getting an expensive tow. 😊
Thank you for your guidance!
Happy hiking!
The Dunes are accessible right from the Visitor Center, but a few choose to drive down the Medano Pass Road as it offers access to a different area of the Dunes. Enjoy!
Great video, thanks for your effort to get to the summit of Mount Herard (looked a little harry in spots) to get the GREAT pics and views. How much extra time is added to your average video when you walk/hike back and forth to set up your camera for the hiking trail shots, I would think it adds at least 40 to 50 % . Thanks again
Lol, yeah, it adds a mile or two... & a bit of time. But it's worth it!
🤘
🤙
Oh you left Yosemite!? Oh, you say early October, so this was a previous trip
Yep, last yeah... just fumbling through the video archives over here....
❤
One of your most dramatic videos to date. I was hyperventilating as you ascended Mt. Herard! Love your introspective soliloquy after you descended Herard. Thanks for all you do. btw, what brand of shoes do you wear?
Yeah, it was pretty wild up there huh? 😳 It actually looks a bit worse on camera, believe it or not... In that video I was wearing a pair of La Sportiva Trail Runners, but not sure of the exact model. I am not specific to a shoe company, and I'll wear the the Alta Lone Peaks too, but usually not for mtn scrambling. I prefer something a bit more solid up there.
I live close to there.
What did you do before all this? Now I want an AMA.
I kinda did this... Stay tuned 1 minute ago... ✌️
Have you ever done Red Cone here in Colo?
Not yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it... Thanks
I'm just down the road. Blanca co
How does that pop up operate? Manually or on battery?
That is a manual setup, which is not easily lifted due to the 300w solar panel that I mounted on the rear of the roof. It works, but it would be a bit much for many folks, who would probably prefer the electric setup. I'll probably install such a device in the not-distant future.