The winds blow across the valley, pick up sand, and then drop it as they are funnelled to the low spot and lifted upwards.
I was there in the winter (it was probably in the 50s) and went for a hike in the dunes. I had to beg some fellow hikers for some lip balm before my lips cracked off in the cool, strong, and extremely dry wind.
5 posted on 08/18/2003 1:05:19 PM PDT by cogitator