Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand
Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand, all within 100 miles of each other near El Paso Texas. I have never seen anything like this, all in one area. When we were camping at Franklin Mountains by El Paso back in March, we had one day that had sleet and snow.
Video Link to a short clip of Snow and Sand; Snow to Sand
It was March 22nd, so the next day we figured it was a good day to drive up to Cloudcroft New Mexico, about 112 miles NE from where we were camping, to an elevation of 9000 ft.
From the warm desert to this beautiful scenery high in the mountains, was a welcome sight. We were traveling last winter to avoid snow. But I sure liked seeing this snow when we got up there.
This photo below is from the top of Cloudcroft looking towards the White Sands National Park in the distance.
But, after the cold and snow we were ready to head back to warmer weather and drove back down the mountain and headed SW to White Sands National Park where it immediately went back to 80 deg weather. With the most beautiful white sand dunes every where.
Situated in the Tularosa Basin, between Alamogordo (northeast) and Las Cruces (southwest), the White Sands National Monument is a vast, natural playground of brilliant particles that reflect the sun – making the crystals shine “white” to the human gaze.
I will have more photos this week of these two areas. A must see if you are ever visiting Texas and New Mexico.
Desert to Snow to Gypsum Sand