Medano Pass Primitive Road

A rough 22-mile road to the top of Medano Pass.

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Medano Pass Primitive Road Details

Sitting at around 10,000 feet, Medano Pass is part of the mountain watershed in Great Sand Dunes. A rugged, primitive road takes the adventurous to the top of the pass. If you have a vehicle that's capable (you're gonna need high clearance and 4 wheel drive: even SUVs and all-wheel drive vehicles have gotten stuck), take the rugged road through soft sand around the eastern side of the dunes, up through a thickly wooded canyon, and over several creek passes. The road eventually links up with Highway 69 in Wet Mountain Valley. If you found that you've gotten in over your head, there are a few places to turn around: Point of No Return (1.1 mile), Sand Pit (1.8 miles), Castle Creek (2.6 miles), and the first Medano Creek crossing (4.5 miles). After this, you're in it for the long run! Park rangers recommend lowering your tire pressure to about 20 PSI to travel over soft sand. However, full tire pressure is needed to drive over the rocks up high, so bring an air compressor with you or so you can reduce air pressure after going over the rocks and not have to worry about filling up again. Note that there is a free air compressor at the western entrance to the road in the park, at the amphitheater parking lot. Plan on driving no faster than 5-10 mph up Medano Pass, and allow for around 3 hours to make the entire 22-mile trip. The western entrance to the road is at the amphitheater parking lot just below Pinon Flats Campground, and the 4WD portion begins at the aptly named Point of No Return. The eastern entrance is in Huerfano County, near the town of Westcliffe, Colo. If attempting to drive in late spring, note that creek flow will be at its peak. Be sure to drive slowly through water to prevent drowning your engine. You may camp along the side of the road at one of the 21 numbered campsites located in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. While there are seemingly a lot of warnings and precautionary measures to take before attempting to drive to Medano Pass, the road has some amazing views of the dune fields and Mt. Herard. It's an experience you won't soon forget.

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