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Snow saucers are relatively easy to find in cold weather climates, especially those that receive plenty of snow.
Finding them in southern New Mexico was pretty easy too!
Yes, there is a ski area just outside the town of Cloudcroft in the Lincoln National Forest east of Alamogordo, but in the warm month of May, those searching to purchase them want them for an area west of Alamogordo…White Sands.
White Sands National Park is an American national park located in southern New Mexico which is completely surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range. Covering 145,762 acres, including a 275 square mile field of white gypsum sand dunes, this area comprises the largest gypsum dune field of its kind on earth.
Many years ago, I learned of this park and it had been my dream ever since to see this field of shifting white sands with its 60 foot high dunes. While I’ve seen large, sugar-white sand dunes in the Destin area of Florida, those could not compare to these behemoths which provide a haven for hiking and sand sledding.
We had done some research and learned that saucers could be rented or purchased in the Visitor’s Center, but not wanting to leave it to chance, we opted to visit a local sporting goods store to purchase one shortly after our arrival into Alamogordo. Finding wax to coat it proved to be a bit more difficult, but thankfully, our hotel had some to give us, left by previous visitors.
Arriving early in the morning, so as to optimize our time in the park and to avoid the heat of the midday sun, we followed the road into the park mesmerized with the massive alabaster hills lining each side. Sand blew across the road as we trekked deeper into the recreational area and with no specific plan, we decided to continue our drive to see what we would find.
As anxious as we were to take a turn zooming down the dunes, we followed the Dunes Drive until we spotted a pull off for the Dunes Life Nature Trail. Parking our car along the fence leading to the trail, we grabbed our water and backpacks and followed the narrow trail toward the dunes rising in the distance. Seeking out the one-mile loop which winds through the edge of the white sands, we sometimes struggled to spy the markers leading the way across the bright field of white, but also took pleasure in spotting the desert life that resides throughout the area.
While the windswept patterns of the sands was almost hypnotic, we took pleasure in analyzing the scrub, cacti and grasses that were scattered throughout the area, the bugs, beetles, caterpillars and lizards crawling through the sand, twisted pieces of sun-scorched wood and occasional flowers. As we found a lone tree, its roots exposed and flourishing like contorted appendages, we made it a temporary place of refuge from the sun and a place for an impromptu photo shoot. For a place that appears to be quite barren at first glance, it had a tremendous amount of natural life and beauty.
After our explorations were complete, we continued on Dunes Drive until we reached the pull off for the Interdune Boardwalk. Shaking the sand from our shoes from our first hike was a lengthy process but we didn’t have to worry as much about them filling up again as this wooden walkway took us out through the dune field for a short distance.
Finally, we headed to the rear of the park near the Group Use Area. Here, the dunes were massive, free of grasses and scrub, and we were able to back our car right up to the dunes in the picnic area. Using one of the shelters and its picnic table, we waxed up our saucer to allow for easier movement on the sand, and then made the difficult climb though the shifting sand to the top. Taking a seat in the saucer, we scooted to the edge and enjoyed the ride down! While the first slide wasn’t as quick as we had hoped, we learned that by using the path made from the previous slides, it compressed the sand, making subsequent slides much faster. If there had just been a bit of rain, the sand would have been tightly packed making the dunes very slippery, but I wasn’t willing to trade our beautiful day for rain!
It was such a rush, but unlike skiing where the chair lift takes you back up to the top, we had to climb, feet sinking into the sand, to the lift off point. It was extremely exhausting! After a while, however, we learned to use the more stable ridges for the climb up and then figured out that it was easier if we removed our shoes. While we would have expected the sand to be extremely hot, we discovered that the gypsum is quite cool and refreshing and it was also easier to find our footing during the climb.
What was also amazing was when at the top, you could look out for miles at the fields of white. Windswept sands, creating beautiful patterns, were set against a crisp blue sky and it looked as if you could walk forever! It was a breathtaking sight!
After a few slides, we decided to continue our drive and see if we could find a different area to continue our fun. Not too far away, near one of the backcountry and horse trails, we found some higher and steeper dunes, which we absolutely had to try! By this time, the wind was blowing a bit harder and believe me, when sand gets into your mouth, it doesn’t melt like snow! For this reason, as well as for the glare, sunglasses (or maybe goggles when the sand is blowing hard) are a must!
Eventually with a glance at our watches, we realized that our fun at White Sands National Park was coming to a close. Heading toward the front of the park, we made a stop at the Visitors Center. Here, we took a look at the exhibits which outline the topography and wildlife of the park and the Tulurosa Basin. While perusing the various items in the gift shop, we noticed a group of young adults looking at the saucers that were for sale in the gift shop. After watching them leave without the purchase, I instructed my son to chase after them and offer ours so that they could enjoy the park as we did. They were very appreciative and we told them to just gift it to another person before leaving the park!
It was now time to begin our long journey back to Albuquerque so that we could make our flight home the next day. There was somewhere I wanted to stop first, however. As we had journeyed into Alamogordo, I had noticed signs with the advertisment “Come See the World’s Largest Pistachio”. My curiosity was piqued and with it being on the highway we were going to be driving on, I decided that we had to stop.
Pistachio Land is a tourist attraction located on Highway 70 near Alamogordo. A pistachio farm which offers tours of their operation and orchard, they also offer a gift shop with free pistachio samples, an ice cream shop and of course, the world’s largest pistachio! No, it’s not real…just a large reproduction made of plaster and concrete located in the parking lot. Still…a great photo op!
After our obligatory snaps with the gigantic pistachio, we headed into the shop and walked out with about six bags of different flavored pistachios…my husband’s favorite snack. It was so much fun hanging out at the pistachio dispenser and sampling the unique flavors! My favorite? Dill pickle!
While we would have loved to take part in a tour, it was time to make our final three hour trek back north. Seeing a lot of the same desert scenery and mountains along the way, we plodded along until we passed something interesting. The Valley of Fires.
The Valley of Fires recreation area is located adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow which was formed approximately 5,000 years ago when Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling it with molten rock. The lava flow is over six miles wide, covers approximately 125 square miles and is one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States. It can be viewed very well from the highway and there are a couple of pull-offs so that you can park and take a closer look. It was great to stretch our legs and see another unique area of New Mexico. If you have time, take a walk through what at first appears to be fields of barren rock, but actually offers many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees and bushes, typical of the Chihuahuan desert plus many animals including bats, roadrunners, quail, deer, sheep and lizards.
After our unexpected desert discovery, we were back in the car and on our way to the completion of our trip in Albuquerque. We had literally traveled full circle throughout the state and were leaving with lots of memories and experiences. New Mexico was not what I expected…it was more!
Did we see everything? No, but what we had seen was simply amazing…ancient structures and settlements, petroglyphs, museums, artwork, UFOs, caverns, sand dunes and a whole lot of desert landscapes! What we didn’t see in this amazing state will have to wait for our next trip because we are definitely going back.
Our adventures in New Mexico was exactly that…an adventure and a good one at that!
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White Sands National Park
- https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
- Address: 19955 Highway 70 West, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310
- Hours: January 29-March 11, 0700-1900, daily. March 12-April 8, 0700-0800. April 9-September 9, 0700-2100. Other operating hours, 0700-1800. Visitor’s Center, 0900-1700, daily.
- Admission: Vehicle Entrance, $25.00 (valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase). Single Person Entrance (entry by walking or bicycle), $15.00 (valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase). Motorcycle Entrance, $20.00 (valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase). Annual Vehicle Pass, $45.00 (admits the pass holder and three persons, 16 years and older, in a private non-commercial vehicle into the park for free for a period of one year from month of purchase. It can only be purchased at the entrance station to White Sands National Park. This pass does not apply to special use fees, such as camping and interpretive program fees. America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass, $80.00 (covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.
McGinn’s PistachioLand
- https://pistachioland.com/
- Address: 7320 US Highway 54/70, 37 Highway 82, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310
- Hours: 1000-1700, daily. Tours offered, 1000-1600, daily. Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving.
- Admission: Free. Tours, $3. Children under 5 years, free.
Valley of Fires
- https://www.blm.gov/visit/valley-of-fires
- Address: Four miles west of the town of Carrizozo on US 380. Latitude/Longitude, 33.68226167, -105.9224303
- Hours: 24 hours, daily
- Admission: free