Bill and I entered a drawing to see if we might be selected to hike into the world renowned "Wave."
We were lucky enough to have our names selected! We started at the Wire Pass trail head (the same trail head to the slot canyons), hiked a ways in the dry river bed, and took a rocky side trail up a steep hill. Then we hiked 3 miles into the desert following landmarks. Coming back we used our GPS because the terrain looked very different than when we hiked in. This can be a dangerous hike because some have lost their lives after getting lost. Our day started out very cold with a fierce wind, but it was quite pleasant in the shelter of The Wave.
This whole sandstone formation is beyond belief! It is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! It has been carved by the wind over a great deal of time.
Bill and I spent two hours here once we arrived. We enjoyed talking to a few other hikers. One man was a professional photographer from Chicago and he had been trying for four years to have the opportunity to hike here!
The surrounding terrain was gorgeous.
I could not stop taking pictures!
A few of the other hikers (the couple on the left is from Germany)
This is the last landmark we looked for as we hiked to The Wave. It is positioned just above The Wave and hikers call it the black crack.
Bill and Becky (in one of Bill's glamorous hats :-)
Becky, relaxing in The Wave :-)
One of my favorite pictures :-)
God is the artist!
Interesting formations around every curve!
The sun kept emerging and then disappearing behind clouds.
Fascinating colors and textures
This hiker was in his 70's!
Intriguing right angles
We could walk up and down the steep sides because our shoes stuck to the sandstone. As photographers, we all cooperated with one another. Sometimes it was nice to get others in the picture.
The Wave covers quite an area!
A pebble and a swirl
More swirls
Bill
The pictures speak for themselves!
I did not want to leave, but we needed to head back. The clouds looked a little dark at times, and the forecast was rain and snow. After hiking out we had an 8 1/2 mile packed clay road to navigate. It was not passable with moisture on it!
We hiked across a variety of terrain.
Stunning colors all around us!
Indian paintbrush
Beautiful light play
Amazing textures
Some kind of vetch
Bill was patient as I took one picture after another.
Two of these peaks were landmarks we needed to head for.
This world is truly a gift from God!
I would not want to get lost out there, especially in the summer heat. I'll take cool temperatures to hike in any day!
Here are the twin peaks we were looking for!
We crossed a saddle in a large ridge (below) and came to a sand wash (above).
We saw some interesting cactus.
Looking toward the slot canyons we hiked the day before
Looking back at the ridge we just came down. We actually crossed it in a shallower place earlier in the morning. Bill persuaded me to go down this steeper spot. I didn't like it! I felt like a bug and I was glad to get down!
Pretty nasty thorns on this cactus!
This is the trail that left the dry river bed. We were glad to get back to our car, but thrilled and grateful for our experience at the Wave!
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