Last updated: February 8, 2021
Thing to Do
Hike Medano Lake and Mount Herard
NPS/Patrick Myers
Take your 4WD vehicle around the dunes and up to Medano Pass, hike to a small alpine lake, then continue to the summit of 13,297 ft (4,053 m) Mount Herard for an aerial perspective on the entire dunefield! This is a physically demanding but incredibly rewarding way to experience many of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve's ecoystems, from desert dunes to alpine tundra. Watch the high-energy 40-second video to get a glimpse of this unique experience!
Details
Duration
8-12 Hours
Plan a full, long day for this drive and hike1
Activity
Backcountry Hiking
Take your 4WD vehicle around the dunes and up to Medano Lake Trailhead, about 1/2 mile west of Medano Pass. Hike 3.7 miles with 2,000 feet elevation gain to Medano Lake. Continue a steep 1.5 miles to the summit of 13,297 ft (4,053 m) Mount Herard for an aerial perspective on the entire dunefield! This is a physically demanding but incredibly rewarding way to experience many of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve's ecoystems, from desert dunes to alpine tundra. Watch the high-energy 40-second video to get a glimpse of this unique experience.
4WD time from Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center to Medano Lake Trailhead: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Round Trip Hiking Mileage to Summit of Mount Herard and Back; 9 miles (15 km)
Elevation Gain: 3,370 feet (1,027 m)
Plan a full, long day for this drive and hike. Check road and trail conditions with the visitor center at 719-378-6395, and check weather forecasts on the park's weather page: https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm
4WD time from Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center to Medano Lake Trailhead: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Round Trip Hiking Mileage to Summit of Mount Herard and Back; 9 miles (15 km)
Elevation Gain: 3,370 feet (1,027 m)
Plan a full, long day for this drive and hike. Check road and trail conditions with the visitor center at 719-378-6395, and check weather forecasts on the park's weather page: https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm
Age(s)
12-70
This requires strenuous, steep hiking in thin air at elevations up to 13,297 feet/4,053 m.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pets are permitted, on leash at all times, in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Please clean up after your pet.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Summit of Mount Herard
Summit of Mount Herard, 13,297 feet/4,053 m, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Medano Creek begins as snowfields on this mountain, part of the Great Sand Dunes' watershed.
Reservations
No
Season
Summer, Fall
Medano Pass Primitive Road access is seasonal, and depends on snowpack and creek levels. On average, the pass opens around late May, and closes by November. There are typically snowdrifts on the trail and tundra through at least mid-June, and often into July.
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
In summer, start your hike very early to avoid afternoon lightning storms on the open tundra. Always check weather forecasts on weather.gov .
Accessibility Information
While Medano Pass Primitive Road is accessible by driving with a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, the hiking trail and ascent to the summit are steep and rocky.
The requested video is no longer available.