Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

Steven Dutch, Professor Emeritus, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

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The highest sand dunes in the U.S. are in a remote valley in southern Colorado. Wind blows sand across the valley. As the wind rises through a gap in the mountains, it slows down and drops its sand. A small stream catches sand that blows close to the mountains and carries it back into the valley to be re-deposited. The dunes are up to 700 feet high. This is perhaps the only wilderness area you can cross in your bare feet.

The picture viewpoint is 37^o 50' 24" N, 105^o 31' 06" W.

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Original Scene

(author's image)

Possible Coloring

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Created 25 November 2005, Last Update 15 January 2020