White Sands Monument views seem endless
Source:
http://www.post-trib.com/lifestyles/1498956,New-Mexico-travel-0329.article
March 29, 2009
By Diane Aden Hayes Post-Tribune Managing Editor
White Sands National Monument doesn't get the same kind of attention other national parks, such as the Statue of Liberty or Devil's Tower. For those of us who live around the Indiana dunes, WSNM doesn't sound all that interesting — white sand dunes? So what?
"So ... whoa" is what visitors will be saying after a visit to White Sands, located in south central New Mexico, about an hour east of Las Cruces, the state's second-largest city. The sight of the sand dunes, which are quite white, surrounded by majestic mountains and miles of blue skies, is awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping and every other cliche you can think of.
WSNM consumes some 275 acres within the White Sands Missile Range (home of the first atom bomb tests). The views go on forever, making it one of the most photogenic sites around.
You can't drive through the Indiana dunes, but you can in White Sands thanks to enormous plows that have made a road between a pair of high, wide dunes. While part of the 8-mile driving loop within the park is paved, some is merely plowed out regularly.
Because just as our Mount Baldy is moving, so are these dunes constantly shifting in the wind. Plants often get covered up, fatal for the soaptree yucca that fill the park, but cottonwood trees can dig their roots deep and survive under as much as 40 feet of the white sands.
The sands are white due to gypsum, usually washed away in areas where it rains regularly, but not in the desert where these dunes formed.
You can drive the one road in the park, but get out of your car to see the area up close. Four trails are available to hike, one quite challenging and one handicap-accessible. Walking uphill on sand is not easy, but it's a good workout and a chance to see nature up close.
Not that you'll see animals. Most are nocturnal, coming out when the nights cool things down. You can take sunset walks with park staff on designated days, or come during astronomy talks during clear summer nights, however, which might allow for the occasional animal glimpse.
You can't camp at White Sands, which may be its only downfall. So bring your camera and take tons of photos, or buy some professional ones at the attractive book store/gift shop. Photographing a field of white sand is difficult during the day — there's a lot of glare — so early and late in the day are best for shooting.
If hiking the dunes isn't enough, try sliding down one in a round plastic sled. In an area that sees little snow in the winter, it's probably local kids' only chance to go sledding. Walking up to the top of the dune hill is the hard part, of course, but worth the effort. And where else can you sled without requiring mass quantities of hot cocoa afterwards?
www.DuneGuide.com
http://www.post-trib.com/lifestyles/1498956,New-Mexico-travel-0329.article
March 29, 2009
By Diane Aden Hayes Post-Tribune Managing Editor
White Sands National Monument doesn't get the same kind of attention other national parks, such as the Statue of Liberty or Devil's Tower. For those of us who live around the Indiana dunes, WSNM doesn't sound all that interesting — white sand dunes? So what?
"So ... whoa" is what visitors will be saying after a visit to White Sands, located in south central New Mexico, about an hour east of Las Cruces, the state's second-largest city. The sight of the sand dunes, which are quite white, surrounded by majestic mountains and miles of blue skies, is awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping and every other cliche you can think of.
WSNM consumes some 275 acres within the White Sands Missile Range (home of the first atom bomb tests). The views go on forever, making it one of the most photogenic sites around.
You can't drive through the Indiana dunes, but you can in White Sands thanks to enormous plows that have made a road between a pair of high, wide dunes. While part of the 8-mile driving loop within the park is paved, some is merely plowed out regularly.
Because just as our Mount Baldy is moving, so are these dunes constantly shifting in the wind. Plants often get covered up, fatal for the soaptree yucca that fill the park, but cottonwood trees can dig their roots deep and survive under as much as 40 feet of the white sands.
The sands are white due to gypsum, usually washed away in areas where it rains regularly, but not in the desert where these dunes formed.
You can drive the one road in the park, but get out of your car to see the area up close. Four trails are available to hike, one quite challenging and one handicap-accessible. Walking uphill on sand is not easy, but it's a good workout and a chance to see nature up close.
Not that you'll see animals. Most are nocturnal, coming out when the nights cool things down. You can take sunset walks with park staff on designated days, or come during astronomy talks during clear summer nights, however, which might allow for the occasional animal glimpse.
You can't camp at White Sands, which may be its only downfall. So bring your camera and take tons of photos, or buy some professional ones at the attractive book store/gift shop. Photographing a field of white sand is difficult during the day — there's a lot of glare — so early and late in the day are best for shooting.
If hiking the dunes isn't enough, try sliding down one in a round plastic sled. In an area that sees little snow in the winter, it's probably local kids' only chance to go sledding. Walking up to the top of the dune hill is the hard part, of course, but worth the effort. And where else can you sled without requiring mass quantities of hot cocoa afterwards?
www.DuneGuide.com
Labels: White Sands National Monument
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