The tallest sand dunes in North America are located high in the mountains of Colorado. But did you know, they can sing? Great Sand Dunes National Park has many unique features if you know where to find them. With the help of Fred Bunch, the Chief of Resources Management at Great Sand Dunes, we’ll learn about the park’s secrets.
On this episode of Podcasts with Park Rangers we explore the waves of Medano Creek, the spectacular night skies, and the singing sands of the dunes.

Show Notes found at: https://www.virtualkamper.com/pwpr6/

Podcast Resources:

* Great Sand Dunes NPS website
* Patreon – We hope you love Podcasts with Park Rangers as much as we love working on this passion project! Consider joining our Patreon where we host exclusive content for our Patrons!
* Hydrology of Great Sand Dunes
* The Singing Sands of Great Sand Dunes National Park

Topics Covered

* About Fred Bunch
* How Are The Dunes Formed?
* Medano Creek – A Creek With Waves
* Beach Recreation and Visitor Impact
* The Singing Sands (Booming Sands)
* The Night Sky Designation Process
* The Value of Night Skies
* Are there more stars in the sky than grains of sand at the Great Sand Dunes?
* Bison at Medano Ranch
* Restoration of Fish Habitat
* Unique Opportunities at Great Sand Dunes National Park
* World Class Resources at Great Sand Dunes National Park
* Legend of the Frogs
* What Fred Loves About Great Sand Dunes and National Park System
* Great Sand Dunes Volunteer Efforts
* Thanks to Our Listeners – Let’s Connect More!
* Disclosure

About Fred Bunch
Fred has been a Park Ranger since 1978 at 8 different parks, including Great Sand Dunes. He started his career in interpretation and moved into resource management. After a nearly 30 year career at Great Sand Dunes National Park, he is the Chief of Resources Management at the park.
Ranger Fred became a Park Ranger because it aligned with his interest in the outdoors and the sciences. Additionally, he likes the philosophy of the NPS and its ability to protect and set aside these spaces for future generations.
How Are The Dunes Formed?
The dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park are the tallest in North America.
The two mountain ranges, the San Juans to the west and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east help create the dunes. The wind carries sand deposits across the valley to the Sangre de Cristos. Wind funnels through the Sangre de Cristos and leaves behind the sand particles at the base of the mountains.
Additionally, the wind comes from the other direction away from the Sangre de Cristos and pushes the sand upward to create tall dunes.
Two creeks, Medano Creek and Sand Creek transport sand from the top of the mountains down to the dunes again. It’s like a vortex that cycles the sand up and down the...