White Sands National Monument is a great place to go to and enjoy nature. The landscape is perfect for hiking, and you will find many animals to keep you busy. Plus, you can take a look at the gypsum sand and be a junior ranger.
Gypsum sand
Gypsum is a mineral containing calcium sulfate dihydrate. It is used to amend soils to increase the calcium content without changing the pH. This mineral can be found in rock form or as a liquid.
It is a by-product of the process of making hydrofluoric acid from feldspars. Besides its role in manufacturing hydrofluoric acid, gypsum is also an essential component of many clays.
Gypsum sand is rare and can be found in some locations worldwide. The White Sands National Park is one such place. There a dune field consists of about four billion tons of gypsum sand.
There are three varieties of gypsum. The selenite variety has the giant crystals of any gypsum. These crystals range from two to seven feet in length. Selenite is sometimes called “the stone of the moon.”
Another type of gypsum is phosphogypsum. Phosphogypsum comprises small amounts of rock phosphate, sand, and clay. Generally, phosphogypsum has a high pH of between two to five.
Animals
The white sands of the Tularosa Basin have evolved into a diverse ecosystem that supports numerous animal species. This includes birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and amphibians. Among these are endemic species. These are rare or unique creatures that live only in the white sands.
A few animals in the dune field are significantly lighter in color than others in their respective population. For example, the pallid bat is four inches long, has large ears, and can catch insects moving along the ground.
Some of the animals in the dune field have adapted to living in this environment by developing specialized traits to survive. They include the kit fox, which can live where coyotes cannot. The kit fox is smaller and lighter in color than the coyote.
The dune field is also home to several species of sea turtles, which nest on the sand. In addition, many types of clams are harvested for food.
Hiking in the sands
White Sands National Park is a great place to go hiking. But you need to be prepared for the elements. So here are a few tips to keep you safe and happy on your hike.
Hiking in White Sands is fun, but it’s also quite exhausting. The temperature can climb to triple digits, and there’s no shade. So make sure you bring plenty of water for the whole day. And always wear sunscreen.
White Sands has five official hiking trails. However, they aren’t very well marked, and some are quite a bit more difficult than you’d think. A trail map can help you get the most out of your visit.
Another good thing to do in White Sands is sledding on the dunes. This activity is popular with families, especially kids. You can purchase sleds at the visitor’s center gift shop.
The Alkali Flat Trail is one of the best things to do at White Sands. It’s a short hike that takes you to a view of the dune field.
Become a junior ranger
White Sands National Park is a popular location for families to visit. The park is located in Alamogordo, New Mexico. There are plenty of activities to do while seeing the park, including sledding on the dunes, hiking, backcountry camping, and more.
Children under 13 can participate in the Junior Ranger program at White Sands. This is a fun way for young kids to explore their natural environment, learn about the site, and earn badges. Visitors must pledge to protect the area and share the park’s history with others to become junior rangers.
Kids can complete activities in the park, including scavenger hunts, desert safety, and more. In addition, they will receive badges and a certificate.
For a more in-depth experience, kids can join the Big Bend Junior Ranger Program. In this program, they will spend three or four days exploring the national park.
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas also offers a Junior Ranger program. These programs are offered at sites that provide both on-site and online options.
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