Besides running a half-marathon, the other goal for my birthday this year was to see the Wave in Arizona. The Wave was made popular when Microsoft included an image of it in their desktop wallpaper options in 2009, after which hikers, photographers, and the curious have been going en masse to see this wonderful formation.
Getting to the Wave
The suggested route to The Wave is a strenuous 6.4-mile round-trip hike in a wilderness area with very few markers. I read that 25% of the people get lost and never see it. Since there are so many visitors, you must have a permit to see the Wave.
There are two ways to get a permit; through the online lottery or the walk-in lottery. I tried the online lottery but was unsuccessful. After we arrived, Scott got up early in the morning and applied for the walk-in lottery. They only allow 10 people per day and you have to apply everyday in person. We were prepared to stay a week and go every morning for our chance to see the Wave. Scott won the first time. This is incredible, because the chances of winning a permit is about 3.5%. The chances that day of winning were about 7%. Scott is so lucky.
At The Wave
This is the Wave. It was formed by wind and water over millions of year. The geologic processes that formed The Wave are, ironically, the same that will destroy it. The best time to photograph the Wave are the hours around noon to limit the shadows from the sun.
Leaving the Wave
The hike back was hotter and seemed longer than the hike to the Wave. We didn’t want to go as this is one of the most amazing places we have ever seen.
On our drive back we stopped at the Paria Townsite, a ghost town nestled along the Paria River in the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument in Utah. Paria was inhabited from 1870 until 1929 and was later used as a filming location for many western movies. You can see the unusual blue, maroon, and purple colors in the rock.
The Wave was one of the most beautiful and amazing places we have ever been too. I hope we can go back to enjoy this wonderful place again.
9 thoughts on “The Wave”
Wow! The Wave is mindbogging. Amazing! I need to look at the pics again. Thank you for sharing.
Merry Christmas!!!!
Love you, Casper and Glynda
It is truly an awe inspiring site. Merry Christmas to you and Casper. Love you too!!
Wow, now I hope we can go and see this amazing place! Bob is still have leg issues and doubt if he could hike right now. Praying things will settle down and he will get to hike again some day. I love hiking and this looks like such a great one.
Sorry to hear about Bob’s leg. I hope he gets better soon and you both get to see this wonderful place. Have a great holiday.
wow I had never heard about the WAVE. How beautiful and amazing. You have seen so many beautiful areas and hard hiking areas. It is great that you can have this experience while you are young and healthy. I sure wish we had done more. Ed still has home health care after his most recent hospital stay and surgery. He got an infection in his foot from the toe surgery and it went into the bone. So, he has been on intravenous medication for about a month. He is finally doing better but we had to cancel our cruise scheduled for 1/16/2022. I have been very busy having to do everything….I feel like I need 6 legs. lol. We plan to have a nice Christmas dinner at my sons home, so that really helps me. I have had a lot of help from friends, so I am very thankful. Hope you have a great Christmas and a very happy New Year. Safe travels. Love your photos and enjoy following your beautiful travels.
I never knew of The Wave and it is amazing. I can see why many make the trip to see it. Thank you too for the delicious coffee cake from Boston Coffee Cake. My mom loved so many of their treats and we ordered from there often. We have had a rough six months and I hope 2022 is the year of quiet and calm. Merry Christmas to you both! Love you guys.
Merry Christmas to the Dufaults as well. We think about you guys often and do hope 2022 is much calmer. Hopefully we will find an opportunity to spend some time together. Miss you all and love you guys too.
I found the blog!! The wave is magnificent.
Hey Brenda, Thanks again for letting us stay with you. We both had a wonderful time. Glad you are enjoying the blog. I have subscribed you, so you should get an email with a link when we post a new blog. You mentioned Niagara Falls. We did a video blog while we were there and I think it is the best one we ever did. Here is the link if you want to take a look https://www.wthrvdoing.com/niagara-falls/