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| Hiking | 8.00 Miles |
800 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.00 Miles | | | |
| 800 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | The day began with a coyote howling near camp. He woke me, but it was fitting since we were there to hike Coyote Buttes to The Wave. In reality, this day began years ago when I first heard of The Wave. After just a bit of research, the destination found a home on my bucket list. Took some time to finally get a permit via the online lottery, but here we were. It was cold and not yet light out, so I pulled my sleeping bag tighter and hoped the coyote would hush. The sandstone have been there for millions of years. It would be there later today.
The Beav and I were camping at Stateline just south of the Wirepass trail head. The parking lot at Wirepass was pretty full when we arrived, even a couple of huge EarthRoamers from Germany. Germans like The Wave for some reason. We set out up the wash in high spirits. The scenery on the hike in is inspiring.
Having seen literally thousands of photos of The Wave, we knew exactly what to expect but still it took our breath away when we first entered. Both of us had cameras and we were snapping everything we saw for a while, like it might disappear on us any second and we needed to record it for posterity, as if that hadn't already been done to death. Other devotees (only 20 a day are allowed) were scattered around. We all tried to stay out of each other's photos while posing for our own. Every angle gave a new perspective. Thoreau never saw The Wave, but it certainly proves his observation that "the finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time."
After a bit I set out to climb to the arch above. There is a way, but it isn't all that easy or obvious. The Beav followed for a while and then turned back at a technical place in the climb intent on enjoying more of the Wave and less of the exposure of the climb.
After several hours we bid adieu and crossed off The Wave from the bucket list. Driving back to camp a very healthy looking coyote ran across the road in front of us. I stopped the truck. He climbed a sandstone outcropping and stood there in silhouette for a few moments measuring us before giving a brief nod of his head and trotting off. |
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All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach |
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