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A short, steep climb to a rewarding view.


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Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.8

KM

Point to Point

8,653' 2,638 m

High

8,411' 2,564 m

Low

242' 74 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (5°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildlife

Description

The Dunes Overlook Trail is a short spur trail accessed from the Sand Ramp Trail. The trail climbs about 450 ft. in a little over a half a mile, switchbacking through pinon pine and juniper trees until ending at a small clearing where you can turn around and see the first ridge of dunes. From this elevation, you begin to get a sense of how vast the dune field truly is as you can see that the first row of towering dunes is actually just the beginning of a vast mountain range of sand.

This trail is great on windy days as it is more sheltered from the wind, and you can enjoy the views of the sand dunes without getting actively exfoliated by them.

Flora & Fauna

Pinon pine, rocky mountain juniper, yucca, and prickly pear cactus.

Elk, deer, rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. You will see or hear many birds such as pine siskins, juncos, bluebirds, robins, grosbeaks, magpies, ravens, hawks, and woodpeckers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 5 votes

#10913

Overall
  4.2 from 5 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#931

in Colorado

#10,913

Overall
11 Views Last Month
1,500 Since Sep 29, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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50%
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Photos

View at end of the trail.
Oct 8, 2019 near Crestone, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 23, 2022
Ashleigh Shunk
Jun 22, 2021
Stuart Rotblat
Feb 27, 2021
Liz Rogers
About 2 miles total from the Point of No Return parking lot taking the Sand Ramp trail to the start of Dunes Overlook. Great views! 0.5mi
Aug 23, 2020
Trent Caldwell
Aug 10, 2020
Tom Herr
Beautiful hike that zig zags up mountain. Scenic view up top. 1.5mi
Jun 13, 2020
Joan Sheets
Feb 3, 2020
Kortnee Withak
Oct 3, 2019
Bruce Conway
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