As windy season begins to ramp up in the Tularosa Basin, rangers would like to remind you about one of the parks primary dangerous trail conditions.
Source: White Sands National Park (via Facebook)
By Ranger Rebekah
Photo: Courtesy
Feeling lost? Looking for direction? Not sure which path to follow?
Well, don’t worry! White Sands National Park has the solution for you: trail markers.
As windy season begins to ramp up in the Tularosa Basin, rangers would like to remind you about one of the parks primary dangerous trail conditions. High winds can create white-out conditions and knock over our coveted trail markers. When trail markers fall down, there is no longer a trail to follow.
Let trail markers be your guide; if they suddenly do not appear in the dunes ahead of you as you stand next to a trail marker take it as a message to turn around and return to the trailhead.
As you stand at one trail marker you should be able to clearly see the next trail marker. If you do not see another trail marker, turn around and return the way you came, following the trail markers back to the trailhead.
To be well prepared, always hike with a GPS device.
The vast dune field can become disorienting quickly if you don’t know where you are going. Make sure to speak with a Park Ranger before taking any trails within the park. They can provide you with vital information regarding trail conditions, and the different trail markers for each trail. Seek out the advice of Park Rangers instead of advice from internet blogs and influencers; often what they recommend is not the safest option and is not what Park Rangers would suggest.
Don’t get lost out there.