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641-831-0186
Photography, Audio and Acoustical Solutions, Telecommunications
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San Luis Valley, Colorado
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All pictures on this page were taken in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado.
This valley is rimmed by mountains and contains the famous Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. In the summer of 2003, we spent several days here photographing and relaxing. Most visitors are "overnighters" and spend just a few non-sleeping hours here. The Dunes offer hiking, backpacking, 4-wheeling and back-country camping opportunities that extend far beyond the "pile o' sand" characteristic that most people see.
My photo gear for this trip consisted of a Crown Graphic (4x5) used exclusively for large-format B&W photography, an Olympus IS-3 for family album pictures and my Olympus OM equipment loaded with B&W and Velvia 100 film. I mistakenly misplaced two rolls of Velvia and just got them processed. It's like Christmas time when you can revisit a trip from last year and it's fresh all over again.
The lens most frequently used on this trip was the Zuiko 24/2.8. This particular lens was a recent acquisition replacing an older damaged unit. The B&W camera usually had the 35/2.8 attached so there was remarkably little lens swapping going on.
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Abandoned House-6 Mile Lane just east of Hwy 17, OM-2S, Zuiko 35/2.8
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The Great Sand Dunes National Preserve is located on the east side of the valley, north-east of Alamosa and Monte Vista. The "typical" photographs of the dunes are taken right near the park entrance and are quite dramatic with the mountains as the backdrop.
Past the visitor center and campground is a 4WD trail that continues up the east side of the dunes and then traverses the mountains. A full-sized 4WD pickup is able to travel this trail, but not without risk of an underside knock or two. There are a couple tight spots, but nothing requiring lockers or lift-kits. We took a stock Jeep Grand Cherokee (with stock tires) up this trail with no difficulties. You will want to air-down, though.
The picture to the right is of Medano Creek about two miles beyond the visitor center and campground.
The below picture is of the easiest stretch of trail. The water in this crossing is only up to the door of the Jeep. Three other crossings are a bit uglier, but still nothing to worry about.
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The Nature Conservancy (TNC) owns and manages large tracks of land to the south and west of the dunes. The dunes are generally off-limits and other than the small access area on the east is unreachable without "knowing somebody". The best views of the dunes are interrupted by power lines, rises and artesian wells. A bit of creativity was called upon to remedy this situation. While taking this picture, I fully expected black helicopters to start circling overhead.
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Great Sand Dunes, from near 6 Mile Lane, OM-2S, Zuiko 24/2.8
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