Thursday, October 13, 2011

CORAL PINK SAND

DSCN1146 

Next stop – Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. We loved the White Sands in New Mexico and I was really excited to see this sand. Really pretty. But -

Unlike White Sands you can’t really drive out among the dunes unless you have an ATV. (Jeri, are you paying attention here?) About 90% of the dune field of 1200 acres is open to OHV’s. The dunes are seven miles long and you’re welcome to walk out to them. Just not going to happen for us.

DSCN1147 We took a few pictures and walked a little ways in the dunes which were created by three factors: sand, high wind, and a unique influence upon those high winds. Here at the dunes, a notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains causes this unique influence. Wind is funneled through this notice, increasing wind velocity to a point where it can carry grains of sand from the eroding Navajo sandstone. This phenomenon is known as the Venturi Effect. After the wind passes through the notch and into the open valley, wind velocity decreases, depositing the sand.

The color of the sand is due to the high concentration of iron oxide in the sandstone.

IMG_3440 Notice how the tracks just disappear into the sand. Wonder what kind of bug made these tracks.

18 comments:

  1. Wow, I didn't know these existed. Most places other Rv bloggers have visited I have heard of, but not these pink sands. Learn something every day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Our first year out here, we took our grandson there and we just loved it! The coloring of the sand was awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ok, i'm lost...........where R U? this place looks mighty cool.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Never heard of Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP before. Good find! I could live without the ATV s though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Didn't know coral pick sand dunes existed...kinda neat. Good choice not to venture out on the dunes in a vehicle as it looks like very soft sand.

    ReplyDelete
  6. had no idea that this place even existed..as for blowing sand?..can you say ouchie ouchie if you are wearing shorts!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great post and science lesson. Like the others, I had no idea this place even existed. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Never heard of that place before but I'd sure like to visit it now! Great pics!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I saw that place on the map when we were in Utah, but we didn't go there. Now I wish we had!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Haha Sandie. Yes, I did pay attention to that. Remember we're going to Arizona and not necessarily to drive on sand. Did you also remember that you're going riding too?

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's the first I heard about Coral Sands. It's beautiful, thanks for sharing. I'm not sure exactly where you are either?

    ReplyDelete
  12. OH how beautiful! Never have seen pink sand. Love the pictures. Have no idea what that creature could be.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yeah, we've been there. We even have T-shirts that prove it. Like you, we were somewhat disappointed. The dunes were splendid, the color terrific, but then what? Like you, we had only recently been at White Sands, and the comparison was striking. But when you are in southern Utah, you see what is in southern Utah!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW, very beautiful indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  15. New place to me, too. Apparently they don't advertise it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful! And you're so very informative!

    Thanks for sharing this place with all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I can't believe so many did not know of this state park!!
    We've been there 2x, one saved us because the North Rim wasn't open yet..Nice park!.
    Upriverdavid

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.