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2023 Map of Heart of the Sands SW

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Heart of the Sands SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The San Andres Mountains rise along the southwestern edge of this landscape, deeply etched by the drainage of San Andres Canyon and Andrecito Creek. These rugged elevations quickly give way to the stark basin of the Tularosa Valley, dominated by the sweeping gypsum dunes of White Sands and the expansive, arid reach of the Alkali Flat.

This area is defined by its dual identity as a protected natural wonder and a highly restricted military zone, with the boundaries of White Sands National Park meeting the vast perimeter of the White Sands Missile Range. The map traces a network of specialized access routes, such as Wsmr P RT 7 and Wsmr S RT 288, which serve the range's internal operations across the Doña Ana and Otero county lines. The stark topography illustrates the transition from high mountain peaks to the unique endorheic basin geology of the desert floor.