Medano and Herard

Jax lounging on the summit of Mt. Herard (13,340 ft), October 7th.

With our late-summer dry spell continuing into October and showing no signs of cooling off, it was time to head south and finally pay the Sangre de Cristos a visit in 2020. Down to just seven 13ers left in the range, I decided on Mt. Herard and “Medano Peak” from the Wet Mountain Valley side via Medano Pass.

Medano and Herard reside about four miles to the northeast and a vertical mile above the Great Sand Dunes. They’re best accessed from the Medano Pass Road, which is the only viable route for vehicles that splits the range between Highway 160 and Poncha Springs.

Entering the Great Sand Dunes Preserve.

After a long morning drive from Eagle-Vail, I made quick work of the Medano Pass Road and headed on up the Medano Lake Trail with Jax plodding along behind. The day was perfect with the exception of some lingering haze from a combination of wildfires burning across the west. Definitely one of those summer where it seems like everything is on fire with no signs of a reprieve on the horizon.

A beautiful morning at Medano Lake with Mt. Herard up above. 

From Medano Lake it was an easy ascent up to the Medano/Herard saddle, and from there onto the summit of Herard, the taller of the two peaks. After soaking in the awesome views of the dunes we made our way over to Medano, which only took about 45 minutes to summit after leaving Herard.

Jax with Medano’s summit not far ahead. He still has yet to slow down in the mountains and is always eager to get out for another summit.

Signing in on Medano’s summit.

Nice views of the Deadman Group, Music Pass peaks and the Crestones to the north.

I made sure to savor what felt like a July day up high, as you never know when winter is going to arrive these days. In the past few years, it’s arrived quickly and definitively. Sure feels like the shoulder seasons are disappearing with only summer and winter to speak of anymore.

Herard and the connecting saddle seen on our descent from Medano’s summit.

A quick dip in the lake and an hour or so schlep back down the trail and we were back at the car, ready to plop a chair down and dig into the cooler (or in Jax’s case, bite into a bone). We lounged in the shade just below the pass for a long time. I’m not sure what was on Jax’s mind but I took the opportunity to reflect on what has been quite a year for all of us, the highs and the lows, and everything I have to be thankful for.

Some fall colors still hanging on for dear life.

And lastly, a parting shot. That’s Medano Peak way in the back. Cheers to fall.

Will these be the last 13ers for me before the snow flies? Only time will tell. Either way I’m looking forward to winter, whenever it decides to show up.

Happy trails…