White Sands Monument views seem endless

[SHOWTIME]

White Sands Monument views seem endless
Source:
White Sands Monument views seem endless :: Lifestyles :: Post-Tribune

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?

[timsyfz]

Sounds like a really cool place ! !

[QuickSand]

Link says: Sorry, the page you requested could not be found.

[Wildcard-2]

LOL just type it in the search it will bring up so many things about this place. I went once when i was little. its like snow but without the cold and pain. I would like to take my boys there one of these days.

[timsyfz]

snow but without the cold and pain.

Well thats no fun at all ! !

[Badland Banshee]

yeah they are kick ass dunes they are like 2.5 hours from my house

[txbanshee513]

i know its illegal, but i plan to ride there be fore i die i used to go there when i was a kid dad was at ft bliss i think that is where the sand board was made famous but back then it was a skateboard w/o wheels or a snowboard

[Mrs. Senator]

Linky no worky

Pictures anyone?

[aviomech]

I was stationed at Holloman AFB, right next to White Sands, for 3 years......was pretty cool the first time I saw them, by the 3rd year, I was tired of seeing them as there is nothing else to look at......