Page 229 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

SOUTHERN NE W MEXIC O  227

dune field, covering around 300
sq miles (800 sq km). Gypsum is
a water-soluble mineral, rarely
found as sand. But here, with
no drainage outlet to the sea,
the sediment washed by the
rain into the basin becomes
trapped. As the rain evaporates,
dry lakes form, and strong
winds blow the gypsum up into
the vast fields of rippling dunes.
Visitors can explore White
Sands by car on the Dunes
Drive, a 16-mile (25-km) loop.
The 1692 Socorro Mission on El Paso’s Mission Trail Four signposted trails lead from
points along the way, in cluding
a stopping place on the famous many stores selling cowboy the wheelchair-accessible
King’s Highway (Camino Real, boots and hats. Interdune Boardwalk. Year-
see p29), which linked Mexico round ranger-led walks
to Spain’s northern territories. P Mission Socorro introduce visitors to the dunes’
The city’s history as a major hub 328 S. Nevarez Rd. Tel (915) 859-7718. flora and fauna. Only plants that
is reflected today in its typically Open 10am–4pm Mon–Fri; 9am–6pm grow quickly enough not to be
Southwestern mix of Native Sat (till 1pm Sun). & 7 8 obligatory. buried survive, such as the
American, Hispanic, and soaptree yucca. Most of the
European cultures. animals are nocturnal, and
El Paso has a series of u White Sands include coyotes and porcupines.
outstanding mission churches, National The park is surrounded by
including the Ysleta and the the White Sands Missile Range.
Socorro, which both date from Monument For safety, the park and road
1692, while the lovely Chapel Road map E4. Tel (575) 479-6124. leading to it (Hwy 70) may shut
San Elizario was built in 1789. Visitor Center: Open 8am–7pm daily for up to 2 hours during testing.
Mission Socorro combines (9am–5pm winter); Dunes Drive: White Sands Missile Range
Native and Spanish styles, with 7am–sunset daily. Closed Dec 25. & Museum displays many of
vigas (wooden ceiling beams). 7 8 ∑ nps.gov/whsa the missiles tested here.
El Paso’s western heritage is
further reflected in its links with The glistening dunes of E White Sands Missile
the famous outlaw Billy the Kid the White Sands National Range Museum
(see p229), who visited the Monument rise up from the US 70, 25 miles, (40 km) E. of Las Cruces.
town in 1876 to get his partner Tularosa Basin at the northern Tel (575) 678-3538. Open 8am–4pm
out of jail. Today, El Paso is a end of the Chihuahuan Desert. Mon–Fri, 10am–3pm Sat. Closed Sun,
center for Western wear, with It is the world’s largest gypsum pub. hols. 7 ∑ wsmr-history.org

Soaptree yucca plants growing at White Sands National Monument

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