Driving in White Sands |
The white
sand here is considered one of the world’s natural wonders. You can walk on it
(even barefoot if you want), slide on it, camp on it, hike on it or bicycle on
it.
The white
sand is actually salt gypsum crystal, but from a distance you’d be hard pressed
to differentiate it from snow. The gypsum comes from the nearby San Andres and
Sacramento mountains. Rain dissolves the gypsum and carries it to the Tularoso
Basin where it dries out and becomes sand. Thanks to the wind, it then forms
into dunes.
The
monument is located in southern New Mexico, about 16 miles southwest of
Alamagordo. The white sands have starred in a few monies, including Hang ‘em High and Young Guns II.
During
World War II, White Sands was used as a missile testing site. Testing continues
today. The National Park Service warns hikers they might come across active missiles,
which should not be disturbed. At times the monument is closed when missiles
are being tested.
Otherwise the monument is open daily except for Christmas Day.
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