I'm headed to the sand dunes this weekend in CO and hoping to hit the Medano Pass. I've never been to the dunes or ridden this pass. I was told by a lot of people to take some air out on your tires to drive on the sand. How much pressure should I take out and will less air be a little easier on rocks too? Any advice on riding the sand or Medano Pass is welcomed!

 

I usually have good luck with 10-12 psi

 

10-12 is a good place to start but don't do high speed turns or try to do donuts because you will pop a bead

 

As posted above, lower those suckers just like you'd be out playing on the rocks. I tried to do that pass one time but it was closed down due to flooding when I was there a few years ago. Wasn't able to drive very far back through the back of the park before they had it gated off. The dunes are pretty cool to see if you’ve never been. If you have kids with you, the alligator farm just a bit north on hwy 17 was a decent visit. Also, there’s a little hike up to Zapata Falls just south of the Great Sand Dunes NP entrance on 150. You drive up to the parking area and it’s maybe just 1/4mi back to the falls. You have to walk in the water a bit to see the falls, but it’s pretty neat. Water is dang cold though.

If you are looking for a place to eat in that area, there's a little burger joint on the way in to Alamosa called Wize Apples that is not too bad....if I recall correctly. It's been a few years.

 

Awesome! That's very helpful. Any areas to drive around the park where we can camp for my friends who don't have keeps to get through the pass?

 

There is camping in the park, although I suspect it might be tricky to get a reservation. The park itself isn't huge in regards to where you can drive. The visitor center is informational and is worth going in. You could spend a lot of time walking out in the dunes themselves.....but it gets hot and it's challenging terrain. From the parking lot it's 1/4" hike across flat sand to get to the base of the dunes, then it's walk until you get your fill.

Zapata falls is worth seeing. I'd say most of what there is to do in that general area is mainly going to be hiking.


Where else are your travels in Colorado taking you?

 

While in 4WD Hi Range on sand, hold ESP switch for 5+ seconds to turn ESP off -- Don't accidentally just use the ESP mode with a momentary press of the ESP switch. This has to be done every ignition key cycle. It makes a huge difference on sand, so much that not turning ESP off can feel unsafe on side-hills.

If the Xfer case is in Low Range, ESP is automatically off and is turned back on anytime the Xfer case is shifted out of 4LO. One last note, ESP turns back on if speed is greater than 40 MPH -- which may not be a pleasant surprise. Mine is a 2008, so check your particular owners manual for details.

And as others mentioned, ~12 PSI should be fine. Have a great trip!

 

So I am still new to off reading. Would the ESP switch be the traction switch on the bottom of the co sole that goes off when you go into 4L? And it sounds like you say it's better to turn that off in 4H?

Also 12psi taken off, not driving on 12 psi correct? I know that sounds like a silly question

 

So it's possible Medano pass may be closed due to flooding, is there an entrance you recommend to attempt finding a camping spot?

We travel as much as we can around Colorado. We went around turquoise lake a few weeks ago and have done yankee hill a few times to take the Jeep there. How about you?

 

Correct, he is saying turn off ESP. When you put it in 4Lo it automatically turns off, but it stays on in 4Hi unless you turn it off. You won't really need 4Lo for the sand, so you'd be in 4Hi and he's saying turn that sucker off

Lower tire pressure to ~12psi.......not to be confused with take 12psi out from your normal pavement level.