White Sands NP
White Sands- This massive desert oasis is in New Mexico, The Land of Enchantment. The pure white sand mounds are as tall as the clouds and are made of gypsum sand, they cover 275 square miles of desert. According to the national park service this gypsum dunefield is the largest in the world. The park covers 145,762 acres in the Tularosa Basin,with a depth of about 30 feet, dunes as tall as 60 feet, and about 4.5 billion tons of sand.
White Sands Missile Range
At the far end of the park the government tests missiles and regularly/temporarily closes the park to blow stuff up!
It is known as (WSMR) White Sands Missile Range and is a military testing area and firing range
White Sands Missile Range modernization priorities include:
Hypersonic/Long Range Systems
Directed Energy
Swarming Autonomous/Unmanned Systems
Integrated Air and Missile Defense
Space Test Support and Satellite Environmental Testing
Nuclear Weapons Effects Testing.
The National Park
White Sands National Park was originally White Sands National Monument in 1933 and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2019. The gypsum sand is a very light tan but when the light hits it appears to look like bright white, fresh powdered snow.
Sand Sledding
There is so much to explore here but it is all about the sledding! You must bring a sled and you must bring a candle. You rub the candle all over the bottom of the saucer and it makes you glide right down the hill sides. Walking back up the large dunes puts your calves to the test no doubt.
Caiti was determined to be the greatest sand sledder of all time.
The Experience- As mentioned the sand is gypsum. It is super bright white and you can see the sparkle off the sunlight which in conjunction with the white sand and sun makes this place seem like your in a dream.
Hydration
The message is pretty clear here, if your gonna play here:
1- go to 711
2- get a bag of bottled water
National Park Service Map
This is the official brochure of the NPS: https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
Map of New Mexico
Courtesy of: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-new-mexico-map-image28633032
Distance from Home
*1118 miles
Side Notes
Purposeful Wander