A Visit to White Sands New Mexico
National Monument offers unique variety of things to see and do
Sep 6, 2008
Walking through White Sands National Monument (WSNM) is like walking on another planet in places. Huge pure white dunes provide bare feet with tickling and cool relief from shoes. Spectacular southwest sunsets take on new beauty as they glow over the brilliant gypsum sand.
Origins
The white sands have blown from a seasonal lake, called Lake Lucero, on the western side of the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico. The seasonal evaporation of water from the lake has caused selenite crystals to develop of gypsum. The wind then abrades the crystals, blowing the crystal particles across the desert. Over the years, 275 square miles of white dunes have resulted.
Plants and animals
The uniqueness of WSNM is not only apparent in the sands and geology itself but in the adaptations of the things that live there. Several species of animals have adapted themselves to life in a white world. There are white lizards and moths which can only be found in the area of the sands.
Plants adapt too. Cottonwood trees grow taller and spread their roots as the sands envelope them. The roots bind the sand and, as the wind moves it away again, the rocklike “pedestals” stand tall with the trees atop them. The soaptree yucca also grows with the sand. As the dune grows to heights of up to 40 feet, so does the root of the yucca to keep the plant in the air.
But most plants growing in the dune field are found in the interdunal flats and around the edges of the dune field where the dunes are moving very slowly. In the heart of the dune field, it is a different story. Here the sand dunes are so big, and move so fast, that nothing can grow fast enough to escape.
Events
With such a vast area to explore and discover, the park offers a variety of activities and events for its guests. There is a daily ranger led sunset stroll to learn about the flora and fauna; weekly programs out on the dunes; full moon nights when the park is open later for visitors to enjoy moonrise; moonlight bicycle rides; and much more.
Annual events are held there also:
The White Sands Balloon Invitational is held in September and brings balloonists from around the world to float over the sands in a unique opportunity to fly in space normally closed to air traffic because of the nearby White Sands Missile Range test facility.
A star party invites astronomers to visit with their telescopes and spend two nights on the dunes with clear, light controlled skies. On the second night the park lets visitors stay late and the public joins the astronomers, welcomed to view the skies through the telescopes.
Directions
White Sands National Monument is located along U.S. Highway 70, 14 miles west of Alamogordo, New Mexico, and 52 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The nearest major airport is in El Paso, Texas, about 85 miles south. There is no public transportation to or through the park.
Fees
Entrance fees are $3 per adult (16 and over). Children are free. Your entrance fee is valid for one week. National Park passes are honored and allow all visitors in private vehicles in free.
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