"The Wave" - Visiting the most exclusive hike in Arizona in winter

Perhaps the most exclusive hike in Arizona, the Wave is a captivating showcase of swirling sandstone within the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The striped layers bend and flow in astonishing ways that invite you to explore, marvel, and spend time in quiet contemplation. Don't hurry. Visit the nearby formations, such as the Second Wave and Melody Arch, if you're able. The permits are difficult to obtain, and if you should be so lucky to snag one, you should make the most of your time in this special place.
Visit wildpathsaz.com/the-wave/ for a map and more details.
Chapters:
0:00 intro
0:33 Trailhead
2:45 The Wave
3:52 Trail to the Second Wave
5:16 Second Wave
6:27 The Swirls
6:46 AZ-UT State Line
7:28 House Rock Valley Road
8:04 Outtakes
Music credits: "Alone" by Emmit Fenn and "Jindupe" by Lauren Duski

[@wildpathsaz]

Visit wildpathsaz.com/the-wave/ for a map and all the details

[@JerryArizona]

So awesome in the snow. I’m hoping for a dry House Rock Road when I go again though.

[@wildpathsaz]

For real. The condition of that road made us drop our plans to visit South Coyote Buttes the next day. We got word from someone in a RZR that the road gets much worse beyond the trailhead for the wave. I guess we have to go back one day... darn it

[@emelynmaalamarcil1273]

new subs, you guys are amazing, you did it in the winter.

[@wildpathsaz]

Hey hey! Welcome to the channel! When permits are as hard to get as The Wave, you go when you can, right? Who ordered the massive snowstorm though? At least we got there a few days later so some of the snow had melted and we could see the trail blazed by others before us.

[@kristiison5228]

So amazing and beautiful!

[@wildpathsaz]

Thank you! You need to go one day!

[@kxrv6629]

Awesome place. Awesome video. Reminds me of when I worked and lived at the Grand Canyon and I savored different conditions versus the once-in-lifer visitors who want ever thing “perfect”. What an experience!

[@wildpathsaz]

Love that perspective! The snow is actually kind of magical, so you’re missing out if you can’t appreciate that.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Great video! I’m looking forward to watching more. Particularly one of my favorite places, Canyon de Chelly.

[@wildpathsaz]

Thank you!

[@skletke7543]

Maybe take walking sticks with you. Great vid!

[@wildpathsaz]

That probably would have helped!

[@sunkissedmary]

I'm crying 😭😭😭 So happy for you guys! And I'm jealous too. I've been putting my ticket for exactly a year now every month, but I just couldn't get it! She deserves all the neck massage, that's a tough road!

[@wildpathsaz]

Don’t give up! It’s an amazing place, and we need to go back to see the parts that were too hazardous to hike to in snow. Have you tried entering the daily lottery? Maybe plan some hiking up near Page so you can have some adventures inside the geofence while you wait.

[@sunkissedmary]

@WildPathsAZ I did. It was the first thing I did was join the daily lottery. I stayed in Kanab last year for 5 days. Every day, I walk in and join the lottery. Hopefully, this month, I will get it! 🙏

[@wildpathsaz]

@@sunkissedmary Wow. I can't believe it's so hard to get in. There are so many cool places in Arizona that are at least as cool as that, maybe more, but so many people want to go there. It's a bit strange. Have you tried Ed Maier's Secret? That's very cool, too, but different. No permit needed.

[@sunkissedmary]

@WildPathsAZ yes, there's a lot of cool places here in Arizona, and I love it for that reason. Oh wow, that place look awesome! I'm going to add that on my list next time I go up there. Thank you for the recommendation! 💕

[@drone_boss]

I’ve personally spent tons of money to get a permit. Never happens… I live nearby so congratulations! 🎉

[@wildpathsaz]

That’s crazy! We met some people on the trail who had tried every month for three years. I wish they would let you select a date range instead of only 3 specific dates. All four of us applied and only one got it. We got lucky, I guess. That was my third attempt.

[@drone_boss]

@@wildpathsaz I’ll keep making my “donations” to the BLM! If you haven’t checked it out… Buckskin Gulch rocks as well.

[@wildpathsaz]

@@drone_boss One of us did Buckskin while the rest of us thru-hiked Paria Canyon - we have a video of our Paria trip in our library, but it was one of the ones we made before we came up with the idea for this channel. Now the rest of us just need to check off Buckskin Gulch.

[@goldent4655]

Hi, I’m going on Feb 2th with a Jeep Wrangler too. Do you think it’s possible to get stuck even with this car? Do I need offroading experience to drive on this road?

[@wildpathsaz]

We were sliding a couple times on the uphill parts, but we never got close to being stuck. It snowed just 4 or 5 days before when we went (January 24, 2023). I imagine a lot of the snow is gone by now, and I don't think they've gotten much since that day, so I would imagine it's drier now. In any case, the road on the way in was frozen and easy to drive through. In the heat of the afternoon, the ground melted and became a mud bog for the drive out. I think a Jeep Wrangler should do okay, though. We did talk to people in a RZR who had gone south past the Wire Pass Trailhead, and they said the road gets much worse after that. So plan to come in from the north for best chances. The BLM office should have information about current road conditions if you're worried. Also, it never hurts to be prepared with a shovel, extra food and water. Have fun!

[@ignatiusjk]

How far is it too the wave.

[@wildpathsaz]

The hike just to the Wave is just over 2 miles, but most people will want to explore more in the area. We were limited by the snow.

[@stephenguarasci1041]

Nice but Wrong time to do it though

[@wildpathsaz]

We thought the snow made the whole experience quite magical, but we would like to also do it when it's melted off. Something for next time.