White Sands National Monument

The main park road through the sand dunes at White Sands National Monument Main road Sledding down the sand dunes
The white sand is made from gypsum crystal. Normally gypsum gets dissolved by water and carried away, but there is not outlet from the Tularosa Basin for the water to go, so the gypsum remains and forms the white sand dunes. The Alkali Flat trail. There is no trail path, you just have to go from post to post and hope you don't lose sight of them. Sand dune texture
Alkali Flat trail Alkali Flat trail Steep climb
Climbing up a dune Hiking near some campgrounds Sand dune ridge
Near the start of the Alkali Flat trail... lots of footprints Gets a lot less crowded pretty quickly White sand dune
Ditching my sandals - sand wasn't hot at all San Andres Mountains Near the campgrounds
Scrub brush They rent sleds at the visitors center Park road
Driving through the park The terrain transitioning into sand dunes Sun starting to set
Near sunset Sunset Sunset

Top of Page or Home