2021.12: Playa Trail, White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA

Location: Playa Trail, White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA

Date: 2021.12

Photographer: Jesen

Camera: Nikon D850

Retouch: Adobe Photoshop

Copyright: www.haomingxiong.com

A playa is a shallow depression or low-lying area that fills temporarily with rainwater from storms. Most of the year, it is a dry lakebed. During monsoon storms, playas refill with water, creating an interesting ecosystem and ever-changing habitat for the plants and animals that live here. The playa changes throughout the season, it may be brown, white, filled with water, or growing crystals. Hike out and see what it looks like today. Please stay on the trail. Footprints destroy the vital biological soil crust. This is not the only playa at White Sands National Park. Playas are common features in desert environments. Lake Lucero, the largest playa at the park, is the modern source of the gypsum sand. It covers approximately 10 square miles (16 km). Lake Lucero is located 15.5 miles (25 km) southwest of the visitor center and the only access is across the White Sands Missile Range, making it inaccessible to the public except on monthly, seasonal ranger-led tours.

JESEN Photo