Blanca Peak
Back on Highway 160 drive west; just across the bridge turn north on Highway 17, the northern stretch of Los Caminos Antiguos. Prominent on the right is Blanca Peak, one of the Navajo sacred mountains, and, at 14,345 feet (4,372 meters), the highest peak of the southern range. Drive 12 miles (19 kilometers), passing through Mosca, and head east on County Lane 6 watching for signs indicating San Luis State Park and San Luis Lakes. A perfect picnic stop, the lakes are a sanctuary for raptors and migratory birds of all kinds.

Great Sand Dunes National Park
At the intersection of Highway 150 head five miles (eight kilometers) north to the Great Sand Dunes National Park (www.nps.gov/grsa). Designated by Congress in 2004, the 233-square-mile (578-square-kilometer) park is the newest of America's national parks. Some 300,000 visitors come here annually to enjoy the geological wonder of the dunes and associated wildlife. For "easy" access to the dunes, park at Mosca Creek picnic area and walk down one of the paths leading to the edge of Medano Creek. Until roughly mid-July, it's a wide, shallow flow of water. After mid-July it's usually a drier walk to the dune base, but while the water flows there is only one way: Roll up your pants, carry your shoes, and wade. Once you reach the dunes, you can slide or tumble down, or take an hour-and-a-half-long zig-zag hike to the crest of High Dune (650 feet/198 meters). Star Dune to the west of High Dune is actually the tallest dune in North America, rising 750 feet (229 meters). There are only campsites in the park, available on a first-come basis, but 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) south on the park road is the Great Sand Dunes Lodge (www.gsdlodge.com), with ten pleasant rooms with views of the dunes, and an indoor pool. The lodge also offers four-wheel-drive tours of the dunes.

Zapata Ranch
Returning south on Highway 150, just past the County Lane 6 intersection, turn right at the Nature Conservancy's Zapata Ranch, a 100,000-acre (40,500-hectare) working ranch run by Zapata Partners. The lodge (719-378-2356; from $130) offers 15 guest rooms in three different buildings—including the main lodge and the bunkhouse—year-round. Hiking trails and horse- or truck-pulled wagons take visitors out to view the bison, antelope, elk, and cattle that coexist in what is known as the "Rocky Mountain Serengeti."