Directions:

From the Park entrance, drive past the turnoff for the Visitor Center and continue for 1,000 ft to the Mosca Pass Trailhead, there is a small parking lot that fills quickly during the busier seasons.

Hike Description:

The Wellington Ditch Trail is a wonderful option if you are looking for a hike at Great Sand Dunes that is not too hard, not too easy, and provides a different experience than walking along the dunes.  The trail cuts across the hillside to the east of the dune field providing panoramic views of the dunes, Mt. Herard, and the San Luis Valley beyond.   

The trail begins by following the Montville Nature Trail from the Mosca Pass Trailhead.  The trail leads you into the aspen forest and soon crosses the boundary into the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. A wooden foot bridge crosses Mosca Creek and before too long, you’ll arrive at the junction with the Mosca Pass Trail. To reach the Wellington Ditch Trail, turn left and head back in the direction you came.  You’ll soon bear right onto the Wellington Ditch Trail and climb a gentle slope to a rocky outcrop with a nice view of the dune field.  

From this point, the trail stays relatively flat for a mile until you reach the Pinyon Flats Campground, which is the turnaround point.  Along the way you are treated to impressive views and a good chance to spot some of the park’s wildlife among the scrub oak, juniper, and pinyon pine forest and hillsides.  You can see almost the entirety of the dune field from this trail and Mt. Herard is dominant in the landscape. You also have expansive views of the San Luis Valley stretching out in the distance and the Sangre De Cristo Mountains to the north.  When you reach the Campground, you can turn around and head back the way you came or link up to other trails and make a longer hike loop.  On your way back, be sure to turn left at the trail junction to finish off the Montville Nature Trail.  

One of the best things about this hike is that once you get to the turn around point, you get to experience the amazing views all over again…