USA - Alamogordo - New Mexico

[ChrisW]

This was, without exception the most memorable walk I have ever undertaken, for a number of reasons. Not only the history of the site (home of the first ever nuclear test) but the incredible effort that was needed to walk across pure white gypsum sand (with the consistency of a child's play pit sand) that pulled your legs down into it like an ogre from a childhood nightmare. It may only be a little over 4 miles but it is incredibly draining and rewarding in equal measure and the stark beauty of a sea of white sand cannot be overstated.
As it is desert I arrived early (as usual) casting long shadows along the side of the entrance road.
The road soon turns white with blown sand as dunes rise on either side.

The road takes you 8 miles into the centre of the dunes before it comes to an abrupt end and the trail-head begins, what little life exists wears a strange white cloak and is somehow surreal in appearance

Once you start into the dune field you quickly realise that walking up 15 metre soft sand dunes is more difficult than it may first appear.

Down hill is easier, but not much. The sand seems to eat into your boots and it seems that waterproof does not equal sand proof

On occasion green plants peek out of the dunes leaving you in awe of their determination

Between the dunes are occasional oases where plants remain and the firm ground does not shift on the desert wind

Even in the dunes some grasses survive

As the sun gets higher, the walking gets harder and the gallons of water I'm carrying are suddenly less of a burden

The way is marked by orange topped posts that poke out of the sand at 1/2 mile intervals as can be seen beside the footprints in the top right of this shot

So. I've made it the 2.2. miles across the dunes to the alkali flats....now its just the 2.2 miles back with the sun high in the sky.

Time to empty the boots again I think

Good lord.....how much further......

Just one more peak and we are there

Ahaaaa, shelter......aaaaaarrrrrghhhhh A TIN HUT.....IN THE DESERT....aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh

Just a couple of panoramic shots to finish off


I'm sure that the incredible stark beauty of Alamogordo will remain my favourite walk................. though I would never do it again!!

[HighlandSC]

Chris, only 1 of your pics in this report is showing up.


Edit - fixed now

[Merry-walker]

Glad you said that HSC. Thought the squiffy juice had ruined the ol peepers

[HighlandSC]

STUNNING

The sand almost looks like snow! We have a few desert trip ideas on the backburner - can't wait to see these places.

[Merry-walker]

[Paul Webster]

Stunning photos there. Did it look any different before the nuclear test?

[ChrisW]

Stunning photos there. Did it look any different before the nuclear test?

No, I think it looked the same Paul, the reason it was chosen was exactly because it looked like that and it was very remote at the time (still is to some extent) best of all after testing they could bulldoze materials (Trinitite ) back under the surface very easily. (they called it trinitite after the code name of the test 'trinity' - it was just glass created from the sand by the explosion)

The trinity site is closed to the public now but still home to a US missile range, though I didn't hear any going off whilst I wandered around

[FLaVrT]

.

[ChrisW]

Hey FlaVrT,
Thanks for the explanation of source, I'm really surprised and interested to hear that it is actually yellow.

Love your shot of the crystal, bloody huge thing it is too. As for trail sandals I learned a lesson there and got myself a pair soon after.....now they are in the bottom of the wardrobe looking sorry for themselves - not much call for them in Scotland

I'm going to live in Canada soon so maybe I'll wear 'em to walk across the oil sands of Alberta