MOre Waves in Utahs Canyons....
 

I have permits for the Wave Canyon but am now contemplating whether or not to do the hike. Can a city slicker navigate the trail-less hike? I have a 9 yr old son going as well. The Wave is in the middle of nowhere so accomodations are a hassle and I may have to backtrack to get there - wondering if it is worth the extra effort? Should I just spend an extra day in Bryce or ZIon?

I see from your route question post that your trip is in about 2 weeks. It is going to be really hot on that trail. There is essentially no shade and the heat radiates off the slick rock and sand. As The Weasel mentioned in reply to your original Wave post, if you go, go early. And I say, really early.

The smart hikers we saw were the ones who were leaving The Wave just as we got to it. Our hike in was hot enough, but hiking back out in the early afternoon it was much hotter. The other option would have been to stay at The Wave until later in the afternoon, when it might have been a bit cooler. But there were dark clouds building to the north and we didn't want to risk getting caught on that dirt road in the rain.

Also, take lots of water and sports drinks. We each had a 3 and a half liter Camelbak hydration pack and 2, 20 ounce bottles of Gatorade. All the Gatorade and most of the water was gone by the time we got back to our car. Take salty snacks, too.

As for whether or not a "city slicker" can navigate the trail, it depends on how experienced you are with this kind of hiking. The topo map they sent you and the photos will help, but my husband and I had a compass and a hand-held GPS we used when we went. He had already loaded the co-ordinates into the GPS but it was still a bit confusing at times. We found we had to rely on the photos in conjunction with the GPS.

I wouldn't have wanted to attempt this hike without the GPS. To rely on the photos/landmarks alone would be hard because at times, due to the up and down nature of the path you follow, they disappear from view for a short time. Also, with the GPS you can follow your trail in, to get back out. Without the landmarks that guided you in, in front of you, things look an awful lot alike.

When we stopped by the BLM visitor's center the next morning to find out if Cottonwood Canyon Road was passable, I mentioned to the ranger that we'd done The Wave the day before. He said, "So, you found it. I didn't the first time I tried." We were glad we hadn't known that before we went on the hike.

Only you know the physical capabilities of you and your son. I think back (many years back) to when my son was 9 years old. He was healthy, fit, and had the energy of two kids. But I would not have taken him on this hike in the summer. In cooler weather, yes, because it is a beautiful, amazing place.

It is also, as you said, in the middle of nowhere. Cell phones don't work there. You can be very isolated. After about 15 minutes, we had The Wave all to ourselves and could have for another 2 hours. That's about how long it would have taken the hikers we met going in, as we were coming out, to get there.

I hope I have given you an honest, helpful answer that will make it easier for you to decide what you should do. If you have questions about any of this, please ask, and I'll do my best to answer.

Also, Google Natural Born Hikers. They have at least one trip report about The Wave posted there. That might give you some insight as well.

Fran

Don't want to scare you or talk you out of going as is a magnificent place to visit but-
If your permit is for this time of year you have some possibly life threatening conditions to consider before you attempt.
There is no water, no shade, no direction signs saying go this way, no trail.The slickrock will reflect the heat back towards you, will feel like you are walking in an oven. After awhile the striped rocks you need for your landmarks on the way back begin to look alike. If you are not comfortable with hiking off trail and cross country for about 6 miles roundtrip Do Not Attempt This Time of Year. The map supplied you by the BLM is way too vague and if you can't read a topo map even worse.
If you do go. Try to go with another party. Start before dawn. Carry all the water you can and be sure to drink it. Does no good in the canteen. Wear a wide brim hat. Cellphone coverage is spotty at best and with only 10 permits a day not a lot a chances to get help from others if you get into trouble.
Robert Hitchman has written a great guide Issue 71 The Wave in Coyote Buttes and a companion issue #52 Grand Staircase/Escalante, UT. Can reach him at www.photographamerica.com or 415-898-3736.

thanks for the input.

i really worked overtime to get ahold of these permits and tried the year before as well. The primary thing I want to see on this trip is the Wave but I may reconsider now.

We would leave very early - I'm not overly concerned about the heat etc. but am more concerned with navigation.

the ranger i spoke to over the phone said that with the map they have yet to have a hiker lost but that sounds a bit odd after hearing your viewpoints

I understand completely your comment about getting the permits. It isn't easy and having succeeded at that you want to enjoy your hike and here are we are sounding warning.


I don't want to influence you to give up on making this hike. The Wave is like nothing else I've seen and I think it's wonderful that you want to share this with your son. But I also don't want to encourage you to do something that could, depending on a number of factors, be dangerous.

I wish we knew how much experience you and your son have hiking, especially in trail-less areas and what kind of equipment you have. IE: The ability to read and follow a topo map or well described landmarks, hydration packs or other means to carry lots of fluids, and a GPS or good compass (and the knowledge of how to use it).

I know you said you aren't overly concerned about the heat but, for me, that would be of equal or greater concern as getting lost. Even if you get an early start in the cooler hours, unless you stay there the entire day, and wait for the hopefully lower temps of late afternoon, you'll have to hike out in the midday heat.

And of course, people do that every year, even in the summer. It's a matter of being in very good physical condition, having enough to drink (and as Photodog said, drinking it), staying as well protected from the sun as possible considering where you are, and taking time to rest as needed along the way.

If you haven't already done so, google The Wave. We found some helpful "trip reports" which added to the info we received with our permit. Maybe that additional info will help you with you decision.

Fran

Are you familiar with how hot it can get in this area? It is truly a draining heat. I would be more worried about my son at that age, also b/c he was not totally into hiking and this hike isn't a walk in the park.

I would love to see the Wave, too. It's on my list of "one of these days I have to see"...

If you do go, leave really early.

Hi, velodurt of Natural Born Hikers here...I would agree with all of the advice you have received here on the forum, and as others have said--only you know your hiking skills and your son's abilities. In my personal opinion, I would offer a little more optimistic view of finding The Wave...especially with a GPS and the wonderful map that comes with the permit now...we didn't have that the first time we hiked...the new map made it a lot easier to navigate the area. Whatever you decide, be smart and have a safe trip.

Here is a link to our first trip report: http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/TheWave/thewave.htm

and we just returned in May of 2006: http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/Coy...yoteButtes.htm

Oh, I also wanted to add that you might consider staying in Page, AZ..there is a really nice Motel 6. Just a thought :-)

I greatly appreciate the sincere responses.

We have little experience hiking. When I say I'm not concerned about the heat I'm referring to the fact that if you take reasonable caution (hat, water, and an early start) you should be fine.

We have done the Delicate Arch hike in Arches and old people, kids, the whole gamut were making that hike which I would consider far more taxing from what I have read then the Wave. This is the reason why I say that navigation is my primary concern.

Everything I read said it was not an overly difficult hike.

Again I can only rely on those who are experienced so I appreciate all the info.

Thanks for posting the pictures- the place looks amazing!!

glad you liked the photos :-)

So, velodurt, which hiker are you? I've done many of the hikes you all have done - I enjoy your reports and pictures.

Hey karens, velodurt=weisey on the website. So what is your favorite hike?

I think my favorite hike is to Havasu and Mooney Falls. Some others I really liked are the hikes around the Columbia River Gorge (esp. Eagle Creek Trail); Avalanche Lake in Glacier; Mist Trail in Yosemite; and Moraine Lake in Banff.

Another top favorite of mine I did not see on your site: the Narrows in Zion. I also really liked the Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier.

The most "unique" hike I did of those listed on your website was the Catacombs of Paris.

How do you all get to travel together so much? It looks like a lot of fun!

Yes, those are some of my favorites as well! And thanks for the kind words about our photography...I forgot that in my previous post. We have been lucky to have seen some amazing places! We all try to get together as often as possible, it is a lot of fun! We have been traveling for 20+ years now, so you are looking at quite a few years of hiking. You might enjoy our tongue in cheek biography...here is a link to our "story" http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/AboutUs.htm

I hope to hike The Narrows someday...we were just at Zion in May and it was closed due to high water.

Thanks again for the positive feedback! :-)