After a snowy winter, spring has been very dry, and snowpack has dropped significantly. Snowpack in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is less than 1/4 of average, and the region is in drought conditions. Medano Creek will be less than 1/4 of average in depth and duration in the 2020 season. Flow will continue to decrease throughout June, and will likely dry up before July. See 'Medano Creek Month-by-Month in an Average Year' below for more details on planning in advance for Medano Creek's seasonal flow in an average year. April is the second snowiest month of the year at Great Sand Dunes, but there are also some sunny days with highs in the 60s. Spring is the windy season throughout the southwestern United States, especially afternoons, though mornings are usually calm. The creek begins to trickle down as the snow on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains melts. By late April the creek may be a few inches deep. Cottonwood trees and willows along the creek are not yet leafed out.
Medano Creek
Medano Creek