Mosca in Alamosa County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Stepping into Wilderness

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Stepping into Wilderness Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

1. Stepping into Wilderness Marker

Inscription. You are about to step into the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness. Its mood changes with the seasons, from the spacious solitude of winter, to spring and summer fun and play. Whatever the season of your visit, this unexpected wilderness offers opportunities to enjoy, explore, learn and recreate in one of our nation’s unspoiled wonders. Great Sand Dunes is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, which includes lands set aside to protect their unique natural conditions. Great Sand Dunes National Preserve contains the critical watersheds of Medano and Sand Creeks, and is part of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Features.

Location. 37° 44.371′ N, 105° 31.067′ W. Marker is in Mosca, Colorado, in Alamosa County. It can be reached from Highway 150. The marker is located in the center of the main dunes parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11999 Highway 150, Mosca CO 81146, United

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States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains

and in the San Luis Valley.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dimensions (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mountain Barrier (approx. half a mile away); Sangre de Cristo Ecosystem (approx. half a mile away); Zebulon Pike's "sand-hills" (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Landmark for People (approx. 2½ miles away); "Totally Unique and Unexpected" (approx. 3.4 miles away); Understanding the Great Sand Dunes System: the Sand Sheet (approx. 7 miles away); Sounds of Silence (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mosca.

Entering the Wilderness image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

2. Entering the Wilderness

Teepee in the Sand Dunes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

3. Teepee in the Sand Dunes

Walking in the Sand Dunes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

4. Walking in the Sand Dunes

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 1, 2008

5. Walking in the Sand Dunes

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 798 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 2, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?