2010 Map of Heart of the Sands NE

About this map

Alkali Flat dominates this 2010 survey of the Tularosa Basin, where the white desert sands and salt crusts of New Mexico create a stark, specialized landscape. This quadrangle captures a remote section of the White Sands Missile Range, defined by its lack of permanent settlement and its role in modern military history. The only major infrastructure shown is the winding WSMR P Route 10, which provides the primary access through this arid environment. Within this expanse lies Ratscat, an intriguing named location typical of the specialized testing and observation points found throughout the range. The map illustrates the minimal human footprint in this corner of Doña Ana County, where natural terrain and strategic utility intersect.