Day #2-- Capulin Volcano, NM & Great Sand Dunes NP, CO--May 24, 2011

I’m in a Super 8 in Durango, CO, so can send an update. Was supposed to be in the United Campground of Durango but the weather is not cooperating. Big thunderstorm as I write. 

I crossed three passes and made two side trips today. The first side trip was to Capulin Volcano National Monument, where I bought a National Park Pass—only $10 for a lifetime senior pass. 

Internet aerial photo of Capulin Volcano

Wow. If I thought Scott Mountain was a scary climb, this one topped it. No guardrail, no rocks, no retaining wall, the white line at the very edge of the drop-off at times. I crept up nearly in the center of the road. No one was around so it didn’t matter. The top had an elevation of 7,877 feet.

At the top it was cold and blustery, so I added a jacket to my ensemble and walked the mile around the rim. Puff puff. Then I walked down to the volcano’s center. Puff puff puff. Saw a couple of ravens, mockingbirds, and a Pinyon Jay.

View from the top of the volcano

View from the top of the volcano in another direction

Rim of the volcano from other side; note the trail down into the caldera

Looking down to the bottom of the caldera

Next, I stopped in Raton, got gas, and washed the car windows with the Windex I’d bought. CO-25N has a 75 mph speed limit but also has “Share the Road” signs and blinking marquees that caution drivers to be aware of cyclists and bikers. Crazy! 

Climbed over La Veta Pass and decided that it would not have been too bad on my bike. It’s two fairly short, gentle climbs with a rolling section between. The downhill would have been fantastic as it seemed to go on forever. 

My next stop was Great Sand Dunes National Park. From a distance it does not look like much, but up close, the dunes are HUGE. Many busloads of kids were there, and a long string of people were climbing to the top of the tallest dune. Not I. It’s like walking in soft, deep beach sand. Would have been an Achilles tendon killer (maybe even a Susan killer) had I attempted it. 

Dunes looking small from a distance compared with the snow-capped mountains

People--looking like ants--climbing the largest dune

The weather was getting colder and the clouds more menacing. On my way out of the park and back to CO-106, two black storm clouds came sweeping toward me across the prairie. I got a few drops and tumbleweeds were flying, but I was right on the edge of the heavy wind and rain so missed most of it. Talked to Jeff earlier and he described the big tornado that tore through south of Stillwater today. I hope everyone is safe and unscathed. 

My next stop was Wolf Creek Pass. When I started up, it was raining pretty steadily. About halfway up, the rain turned to snow and the temp dropped to 32F on the nose. The snow turned to a whiteout, and they were doing construction in places, so it was a bit dicey. But, when the snow abated a bit, one could see deep, pure white snow between the evergreens. Very beautiful. 

I stopped at a lookout just before a big s-curve on the way down. It wasn’t snowing or raining there, but the clouds over the mountains were still black with potential. I don’t think I could have climbed Wolf Creek Pass on my bike or in anything but a lawn chair in the back of a pickup (inside joke). It is 10 miles of very steep (9% in places) twisty road, no shoulder on the steep spots, and steep with a hairpin turn going down. Trucks had to stop at a checkpoint, were restricted to low gear and 25 mph.There were two runaway truck ramps on the way down. Also a gorgeous big waterfall. 

View past hoodoos in the making on the S-curve on the way down Wolf Creek Pass; road to the left is mine

Roadside waterfall on way down Wolf Creek Pass

Well that’s it. Time now to rest in a comfortable bed. Did I mention that I grabbed the g.d. Theramarest (out of 5 that we own) that will not hold air? I refuse to buy another one. I have a 3/4 one with me and it will suffice.