Day two consisted of Organ Mountains National Monument and Dripping Springs Trail. The hot temperatures forced me to slow down a bit. May was the 10th anniversary of this monument so entry was free. The spring was almost dry and the abandoned buildings suggested there was an outpost at one point. An early morning hike was the best way to counteract the heat with a rest in the middle of the day and then White Sands National Park in the evening for a sunset view.

I drove to Alamogordo for dinner since it is only 14 miles past White Sands National Park and sunset was the goal. I headed to the park at 6 p.m. Unfortunately the visitor center closed at 6 so I headed right into the park. It, too, was a free entry since it was after 6 p.m. It is mind blowing that the sand oasis exists in the middle of nowhere. It looks like snow but it really is sand! This park was the highlight of my trip.