This feels like walking in soft marshmallows,” murmured Carolyn Dullum.There’s nothing like slow motion squish-walking down a gypsum dune.

Trail Snails, a local hiking group, trek a most unusual hike into the gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument, about an hour and a half from Ruidoso, New Mexico.

“I’ve hiked Alkali Flats many times,” said Barbara Willard, today’s leader. “It’s different. And when you get away from the picnic areas, you hear nothing. It’s so peaceful.”

And unique, too. Unlike hiking trails that are clearly defined in a forest or woodland setting, Alkali Flats Trail is marked only by tall orange markers stuck in dunes about a tenth of a mile apart. To hike the five-mile trail, one simply sights the next orange marker and gets there any way one wishes.

“Over and down the dunes, around the dunes, it doesn’t matter. Pick your own path.”

Another unique feature of Alkali Flats trail is that it’s footwear-optional. Mike Bilbo cheerfully shed his boots and socks and blissfully squished his toes in the soft, cool, moist gypsum sand. “You get traction and a pedicure at the same time,” he teased.

Read full story…

The other hikers raise their eyebrows, wondering if their companion has gone mad, but you can’t resist. Feeling slightly foolish, you lean into the tree, put your nose against the bark and inhale deeply. The others wait silently for your verdict. “Hmm, smells more like … butterscotch.”

Yummy surprises with Trail Snails! Soon everyone in the Trail Snails, a local informal hiking group, presses noses against the tree bark. “Deep inside the crack is best!” “Yes, it smells just like vanilla!”

Jim Edwards, the Snails’ organizer, explains, “When a Ponderosa’s bark begins to show yellow or pink, the tree is mature and acquires a smell reminiscent of vanilla.” Sniffing “vanilla cookie trees” is one of many yummy or tasty surprises enjoyed by the Trail Snails on our twice-weekly excursions.

“Algerita bushes smell like citrus, and corn lily leaves smell like peanut butter,” reminds Jim. “And don’t forget mint,” add hikers Carolyn and Roger.

Other hikers chime in, “Wild morel mushrooms and common field mushrooms are delicious!”

Read full story…