Ripples

This rippled sand is from the dunes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The dunes are pure white gypsum sand, just like at White Sands, New Mexico but not as well known. As such I have never seen another person here at the same time I was. The fact they they are 45 miles from park HQ and that they are not really advertised helps keep them that way. Still if you ask the rangers at HQ, they will give you a map and a gate key to get to them.

Be prepared for an hour drive, a mile and a half walk. Hope for dry conditions or the road there will be slop and impassable. Finally, hope for calm wind or the blowing sand will chase you back to your car. But if it all works out you can walk alone across the sand.

Stay for the sunset, bring a headlamp, and hike out in the dark.