Medano
Pass was originally used by Native Americans, but its first
documented use was by Colorado’s first American explorer, Lt
Zebulon Pike. The pass crosses the Sangre De Cristo mountain range
between the Crestone and Blanca groups at approximately 10,000
feet. This 4x4 trail can be run in either direction beginning in
Huerfano County ranch lands on Co Hwy 559 or the
Great Sand Dunes National
Park and Preserve of Alamosa County.
The cache is a small log and pen only plastic container, located
outside of the National Preserve gate, in a pile of rocks at the
base of a large coniferous tree. In order to promote the longevity
of this container, please keep it covered by a heavy rock or
two.
What makes this location great will not be the physical cache,
but the experience you will find while trying to reach it. We
started in the soft sand along the eastern side of the Great Sand
Dunes, a unique wheeling experience for Colorado. There we
encountered
critter #1 relaxing in some shade with her twins. Further up
the trail, after the sand turned to rock and through various water
crossings, we found
critter #2 in all his dignity. We then passed through a
magnificent aspen lined forest before reaching the summit and
dropping down into pine forested ranch lands and the rolling
plains. This trail will potentially lead you through four (or five)
ecosystems within two hours… Enjoy!