SAND DUNES — On Saturday, July 31, join Park Ranger Patrick Myers for a free guided hike to South Twin Lake, a large wetland west of Great Sand Dunes. Participants should meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center, and will return to the Visitor Center about noon.

Rarely visited by people, South Twin Lake is home to chorus frogs, toads, and shore birds which are commonly seen at this shallow lake surrounded by very tall reeds. A small dune above the wetland provides a panoramic view of Twin Lakes, San Luis Lakes, the dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

The guided hike is about two miles round-trip, mostly across level ground. Hikers will discover and learn about some of the plants, animals, and history of the desert grassland and wetland environments.

Bring water, sun protection, insect repellant, and a snack. Although this is not a strenuous hike, participants will need to crawl under one fence to access the lake; it is easily accessible for most adults and children. The round trip hike will likely be completed by 11:30 a.m., and the group will return to the Visitor Center by about noon.

Participants should meet the ranger at the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m., then caravan to the trailhead. Hikers coming from Alamosa or other nearby towns may arrange to meet the group along County Lane 6: call Ranger Patrick Myers at 719-378-6343 to arrange for parking, or for more information. No advanced reservations are needed.

South Twin Lake is on national park land that is leased by The Nature Conservancy. While bison are not often seen near Twin Lakes, over 2000 bison are managed by Zapata Partners on Nature Conservancy-owned lands and adjacent federal lands.

The Nature Conservancy partners with the National Park Service in protecting the Great Sand Dunes’ ecological system and its biodiversity.

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people.