Skip the spring break crazies on the ski slopes and head to a quieter corner of Colorado: Alamosa in the San Luis Valley. At only 7,544 feet elevation, Alamosa is a warmer–and quieter–option for those eager to hit the highway for a road trip come springtime.
Imagine this: the Great Sand Dunes glowing in the morning sun and cottonwood trees blazing yellow at their base. Behind the dunes, a fresh dusting of snow graced the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Fall is one of the most spectacular times to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park, especially for photography and nature enthusiasts.
We looked over at each other through our car windows and mutually nodded. It was the coldest part of night, right before the sun peaks over the horizon and begins warming everything up. I was up early on my way to Alamosa and had pulled into a parking lot at the base of The Great Sand Dunes alongside two other vehicles.
The San Luis Valley of Colorado is a photographer’s dream. Whether you carry a cell phone or a telephoto lens, head to this part of Colorado and photograph iconic destinations. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most picturesque places in Colorado, but it’s not the only place to nab killer photos. Multiple wildlife refuges make for great wildlife viewing and the open expanse of earth and sky make for striking landscapes. All of these places are just a short drive from the main hub in the valley, Alamosa.
I arrived in Alamosa having been chased by a storm, all the way from Bailey – my home. Things weren’t looking good from an aesthetic stand point. Still, recalling the words of Sam Abell’s father – ‘bad weather makes great photographs’ – I remained optimistic, and continued into Alamosa with a smile on my face.
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Photo by @shashank__kamath via Instagram
