Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes in late afternoon light.

This image is of the Salt Basin Sand Dunes on the western side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Moonset

Moonset on the sand at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

I arrived in the park early one morning to see the moonset right before the sunrose. I was only able to make a couple of frames before it was gone.

Dune Sunrise

Sunrise on the dunes at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

The Sandhills are found in the Permian Basin west of Odessa near the town of Monahans. From the Interstate one can see some sand but most of the highway roadside area has been stabilized by vegetation. It is not until you take the exit and get into the state park you see the open sand and the larger dunes. There you will find that some of the dunes are 60+ ft tall.

Monahans Sand Hills at Twilight

I made it back from a week in the Big Bend country. I spent a day and a half in Big Bend Ranch State Park and the rest of the week in Big Bend National Park. No matter how many times I visit I just cannot get enough of the place.

I also finally happened past Monahans right near twilight so I was able to photograph sunrise on the dunes. In the past I always seemed to be there about 2pm, but after spending the night in Big Spring I got there right about 7:30am and went in to catch sunrise.

Here is one of the dunes at twilight.

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.

Dunefield

Another image of the white gypsum sand dunes on the westeren side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The view here is westerly and the mountains you see in the distance are the Cornudas Range.

I greatly enjoy a trip out to these dunes. They are not well known (except by photographers) and are a long way from anywhere.

If one looks close you can find the two other photographers I am with in the image.

The Guadalupes

The Guadalupe Mountains of far west Texas are both the highest point in the state as well as a national park. They are spectacular for many reasons, not the least of which is the great variety of incredible views.

Here is one of my favorite. These pure white gypsum sand dunes sit in a deep valley west of the peaks. The mountains rise over 5000' above them in most dramatic. This is one of the most remote and quietest places in the state.

It is both a park and a place in the park I always look forward to going back to.