Sand Creek Trail (from Liberty Gate)

This is a full-day wilderness odyssey that starts at Liberty Gate south of Crestone and pushes deep into the western backcountry of Great Sand Dunes. Forget the tourist-friendly dune field — this trail is a completely different animal. You'll cross Sand Creek multiple times (bring trekking poles or accept wet boots), winding through dense subalpine forest with the Sangre de Cristo peaks looming above. The route gains a serious amount of elevation over its 17-mile one-way distance, roughly equivalent to climbing from sea level to the top of a ski resort. The forest transitions from ponderosa to spruce-fir as you climb, and the payoff — Sand Creek Lakes nestled in a high alpine cirque — is the kind of scene that makes you forget the beating your legs just took. This trail is built for experienced backpackers who want to earn their solitude.