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| Hiking | 0.60 Miles |
166 AEG |
| | Hiking | 0.60 Miles | | | |
| 166 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I have been looking forward to visiting the Valley of Fire for many years. From the photos I have seen, it looks like a similar geologic area to Coyote Buttes. I can report that is it very much like Coyote Buttes in many ways.
The hike to the Fire Wave starts at Parking area 3, off White Dome Road. You park and walk across the road. The trail head is marked. There's a big sign warning you that HEAT KILLS. The trail is very easy to follow. It is well worn and there are markers, posts and massive cairns place along the way. You can also follow the throngs of people streaming back and forth if you cannot follow the trail. It lists .60 miles from the parking lot to the Fire Wave and that sounds about right.
I followed the official trail going out to the formation. The sandy trail gives way to slick rock about 2/3 in. The multi-colored wave patterns start well before you get to the Fire Wave. This is such a beautiful area. The Fire Wave is small, but very impressive. I got there about 3pm and the sun was starting to tone down a little. The east facing section of the wave was already in the shade. The west facing section is not a beautiful as the lower wave, but it is still stunning.
I walked all over the area of the Fire Wave, taking pictures and soaking up the beautiful sites. I outlasted quite a few folks who walked up, took a few pictures and turned around. I explored the area, climbing on, over and around the main Fire Wave.
I hiked back to the trail head, but I took the scenic route along the slick rock. You end up back in the sandy area either way.
This place is absolutely amazing. The Fire Wave is a beautiful formation, with candy-striped layers and awesome shapes. The entire area along White Dome Road is visually stunning. The Silica Dome area and Rainbow Vista are impressive, as is the White Dome Area, just up from the Fire Wave parking area. The colors, patterns, textures are really incredible.
I recommend the next time you are in Las Vegas, leave the phoniness and hollowness of the Strip behind and take the hour drive up to this place to see a real pot o gold. |
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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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