Penitente and Sand Dunes

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La Ventana natural arch

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After scrambling up and through the arch, the view from the other side

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Another look at the volcanic dike the arch penetrates

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On to Penitente Canyon, where our hike begins in true high desert, filled with yuccas and cacti

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Old cart tracks gouged into the rocks from the Old Spanish Trail

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Sue and Keetna hiking through the rock gardens of Penitente

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Rock formations at Penitente

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the cracks between the rocks allow pines to gain purchase

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The upper end of Penitente Canyon, looking at the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance.

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Keetna and Sue descending into Penitente Canyon

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At the bottom of Penitente

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Climber in Penitente Canyon

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Virgin of Guadalupe painted on the walls of Penitente Canyon

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Honey comb rock in Penitente Canyon

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Climber, spread eagled, in Penitente Canyon

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Tree on a boulder

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Pictographs, possibly Ute, in Penitente Canyon

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Sue photographing pictographs in Penitente Canyon

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:Late afternoon, Great Sand Dunes, with the Crestones in the distance

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Mount Herard and Dunes over Medano Creek

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Doug, Keetna, Sue and Miyuki, crossing Medano Creek

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Sue and Keetna, Medano Creek