The sand from the mighty Rio Grande river blows across the valley and then encounters the massive range, where it can go no further. Wind and other forces continue to sculpt the dunes into their forms. The geology of the area is fascinating. We continued to drive and gawk at the views, stopping occasionally to take them in. The panorama below was taken near the intersection of Highway 150 and Six Mile Lane.
Evening is a lovely time to approach the dunes, because shadows form that give more dimension.
We were there in December, which may seem like an odd time to visit. However, we avoided the intense heat and insects that typify the summer months in the area, and thankfully didn't encounter any winter storms. The first night, we walked out onto the veranda of the visitor's center, and much to our delight, discovered a herd of muledeer. We were the only ones out there with them, and they browsed while seemingly unaware of the beauty just beyond them. The same week we were there, the president signed into law the bill declaring the Great Sand Dunes as a national park.