Sand Creek Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Accessing this trail from the Sand Ramp Trail is a long haul so you will want to come prepared for either a long out and back or, for the more ambitious, perhaps arrange a shuttle to be picked up on the other side of Music Pass.

The Sand Creek Trail connects Great Sand Dunes National Park to the Upper Sand Creek Basin and Sangre De Cristo Wilderness. This trail branches off of the Sand Ramp Trail and starts by descending toward Sand Creek. In early summer, the lower sections of Sand Creek Trail are often impassible due to high water in Sand Creek.

After this, the trail starts climbing again and you'll pass the junction with Liberty Road on the left as you climb toward the Upper Sand Creek Trail. This section of trail follows along Sand Creek and passes from the sandy dune soil of the Sand Ramp Trail back into the trees and higher alpine landscape that you'll find in the beautiful backcountry of Music Pass and the Upper Sand Creek Basin.

Pines, aspens, and cottonwoods as well as wildflowers in the spring and summer.

Elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bobcat, and black bears have all been spotted in the Sangre de Cristos. Smaller animals like rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and a variety of birds.