The entrance to White Sands National Monument, just outside of Alamogordo, N.M.
Entering the area it was evident you were at the edge of the sands.
There is still a lot of vegetation growing along the edge of the sands.
There is still a lot of vegetation growing along the edge of the sands.
There is still a lot of vegetation growing along the edge of the sands.
Roads have to cleaned with graders or plows like clearing snow from roads in the North.
The winds create dunes in a fashion similair to snow banks in North Dakota.
The sands cover a vast area, and many go hiking throughout the area.
You can see mountains in the distance looking in all directions.
Still near the edge of the park, still seeing a lot of growth, and some that may just be waiting for a good rain.
It seemed amazing that anything could grow and bloom in this environment.
A “boardwalk” is provided for people to venture out without having to walk through the sand.
Another shot from the boardwalk.
Another shot from the boardwalk.
At the end of the baordwalk is a deck. We witnessed lots of people taking pictures of their group (or each other) here, so we joined the fun.
A look back from the deck.
After walking about half way back down the boardwalk, this is a look at how far we still have to go to get back to the starting point.
People take day long hikes into the area. There are posts to mark the “trails.” You are warned to stay on the trails as it would be easy to get lost and disoriented in this environment.
The deeper you get into the monument the less growth you will see.
The views are amazing.
I caught this person taking a photo of himself way off in the distance.
Looking back to where we had parked. The dunes go off in all directions. The vastness of this rare structure is amazing.
These two weren’t keeping up to their group, which disappeared over the dune a moment ago.
An area of “hard pan.” In the distance, you can see a lone hiker and three trail markers. When hiking the trails, you are warned to always have at least two markers in sight at all times so as to not get lost.
You can bring your own, or rent sleds, and zoom down the dunes. …
… or just body surf down.
You may notice the girls are barefoot. Even though temperatures can top 100 degrees, the sand stays cool to the touch.
I would compare the texture of this sand to sugar. It is very fine, cool to the touch, and sneeks home with you. This “rock” is unexplainable.
Photographer Mike Bogert recently took a trip across the southwest part of the county. This, the fourth of several galleries that may be viewed on The Fish in the upcoming days, featured the White Sands National Monument.
