White Sands National Park - Alamogordo NM - January 2013

White Sands National Monument, it’s not a national park, contains a significant portion of the world’s largest gypsum dune field.  The glistening white dunes rise 60 feet in height and covers 275 square miles.  Kathy is pictured here on our way into the parks visitor center.  

No, we are not in New England after a nor'easter.  We are beginning a 16-mile scenic drive that leads from the visitor center into the heart of the dunes and back.   Wind is a dominant factor in the park often blowing at gale forces especially from February to May. Wind storms can last for days in the spring.  

Here you can see the natural beauty of the park.  The color of these dunes really is a coral pink, and they’re most beautiful near sunrise and sunset. They get their color from rubbing against each other as the wind blows the tiny gypsum pellets (sand)  throughout the park.

You can see here how the plants have adapted, extending root systems to remain atop the ever shifting dunes.  The plant in the center of this photo is a Yucca plant which is native to this area.  

They looked like igloos from a distance, but they are covered picnic areas where visitors can have lunch and enjoy the park.  White Sands National Monument is also home of White Sands Missile Range.  When testing is being conducted the park is closed to visitors for obvious reasons.  

That's right bring your favorite sled and enjoy the ride.  Some dunes are tall and steep enough to provide a good ride on a plastic toboggan or sled.  Most sledders use waxed plastic snow saucers. 

With only 300,000 visitors a year, the park is seldom crowded.  Notice that the road is completely covered.  The park uses plows to push the sand to sides providing access for visitors. The white sands dunefield is active.  The dunes can move from west to east as much as thirty feet per year.    

Hiking is one of the parks most popular activities.  It was very cold when we visited the park.  Most of the visitors had on cold weather jackets.  In the summer the rangers recommend you carry a gallon of water during hikes as temperatures can exceed 100 degrees.  Stargazing is another feature of the park during the summer.  

Here is another example of how plants have adapted to the dune fields.  The rain makes the sides of this mound harden to form a nature barrier.   We truly enjoy our short visit to the park and would recommend it to anyone visiting the area.