This is the first time my daughter, Elizabeth, and I ventured beyond the popular "High Dune" that most people strive for, then turn around. After crossing Medano Creek, which has slowed from it's high of a month or two ago, we headed for the highest dune staying somewhat East (to the right) of the line of people heading up. At the top we continued past the crowd and down into the body of the dunes. It didn't take long before we were out of earshot of the people on High Dune and completely isolated. We chose a route that would allow us to follow a ridge that traveled up and down various dunes, affording views of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains, San Luis Valley and the heart of the dunes. We headed East at our turn-around point to get a better view of where the dunes ended and the mountains began. The weather really cooperated with us today, being somewhat cloudy and cool for the first half. The sand was damp and hard-packed from previous rains, making travel easier-at least until the sun came out and dried things. Then it was like walking beach sand and got tough. The 3L of water each seemed to be enough but, again, it was cooler during the morning. The usual afternoon thunderstorms held off, at least until we exited at 2:30PM.