The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Jewels of the Rockies) [Paperback]

Charlie Winger (Author), Diane Winger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Colorado Mountain Club Jewels of the Rockies | Publication Date: June 17, 2003

Nowhere else in North America do alpine tundra, tall forests of evergreen and aspen, and massive desert dunes meet so dramatically as in our nation's newest crown jewel. This book is your essential guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Camping, wildlife viewing, hiking, backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, dunes snowboarding--the recreational opportunities at "The Dunes" are endless. Slides down the highest sand dunes on the continent, backpack to a pristine high-country lake or climb one of Colorado's legendary 14,000-foot peaks. Soak in a hot springs pool beneath the stars, tour a working bison ranch or experience an alligator farm!

*Color-coded tabs and activity symbols make it quick and easy for you to find the information you need.

*Detailed trail and route descriptions for over 30 hikes, plus info for bikers, mountain climbers, equestrians, and 4WD enthusiasts.

*Packed with over 40 maps, information charts and hundreds of stunning photos--all in full-color.

*Enjoy complete park planning information, including facilities, camping, lodging, and safety and equipment tips.

*Dozens of close-by activities and fun attractions that will interest anyone, plus fascinating natural and cultural history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[This guide] should be the first place you...to plan your trip. -- Friends of the Dunes Newsletter

About the Author

Charlie Winger began hiking and climbing in the mid-seventies when he moved to Colorado. Charlie has hiked and climbed extensively, including the 200 highest peaks in Colorado, the 100 highest peaks in the lower 48 states, and the 50 State highpoints of the United States.

Diane Winger didn't begin hiking until the late 1980s, although she has lived in Colorado all her life. Her favorite outdoor activity is trekking--she and Charlie have enjoyed 4-day walks in New Zealand and along the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu in Peru.

The Wingers live within 50 miles of the Great Sand Dunes near Beulah, Colorado and are the authors of Highpoint Adventures: The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: The Mountaineers Books (June 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097244131X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972441315
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wingers have a Winner!, August 18, 2003

By 

Dave Covill (Evergreen, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Jewels of the Rockies) (Paperback)

Charlie & Diane have surprised the hiking public once again with their great new guide to the Sand Dunes. Soon to be declared a National Park, this full color book is set up in easy to understand color-coded sections, a first that I have seen. It is focused on a small area, so understandably goes into great detail, something many guidebooks can not do as they pretend to cover a huge aray of peaks, or trails, or entire state or regional hiking concepts. If you like getting every last bit of info on a cool place like Sand Dunes, well, this is your book. You will probably wake up with some grit in your teeth, but that's OK, sand is the name of the game here.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evaluation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park guide book, August 11, 2003

By 

Bud Norlin (Wichita, Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Jewels of the Rockies) (Paperback)

The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is absolutely the best I have ever seen. It is extremely well organized and very informative. The authors did an outstanding job of providing area history along with available facilities and activities. They also included detailed maps, safety considerations and overviews of the various ecosystems. The photography is inspirational throughout each section of the book. I found it to be very entertaining and easy to read.

Sincerely,
Bud Norlin

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for Everyone, September 13, 2003

By 

Terri Horvath (Nederland, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Jewels of the Rockies) (Paperback)

This new guidebook covers ALL aspects of the Great Sand Dunes. There is something for everyone interested in this beautiful, unique ecosystem in Colorado: natural and cultural history, hiking and climbing and other recreational activities, and local events and attractions . . . this book has it all. Want to know about the eolian (wind) geology that formed the dunes? Want to know which picnic spots are the best? Want to know what rock pro you can leave at home when climbing The Prow route on Kit Carson Mountain? The Wingers seem to provide information and resources about everything! Their easy, conversational style draws you into the delights of the dunes and echoes the small-town friendliness of the surrounding area. And this is a guidebook that can travel with you - its quality binding and sturdy pages will hold up to frequent use, which is inevitable once you experience this special area of Colorado.