The Wave part 1

It is likely you will recognize this place - kind of a Mecca for nature photographers - and a place that takes some doing to get to.

Very fragile so access is limited to 20 people per day by lottery run by BLM, remote, located between Page and Kanab, both places which qualify as beyond.

 Lotsa little critter tracks in the sand

 Then there is the road to the trailhead, when wet, impassible, otherwise, depending on the ruts left from the last rain, 8 miles of varying degrees of rough,  High ground clearance strongly suggested - good thing Rob and Kiera had rented a robust SUV with all wheel drive.

Then there is the hike in.  3 miles. Desert, up and down, much of it on rocks, but enough loose sand to make it a strain of the ankles and legs. 

We lucked out - weather was perfect, clearing skies temperature only reaching  the upper 60's, but the sun was very strong, Not sure how you do it in the summer.

 Note: moqui marbles eroding out of the sandstone - quite common in some areas here - had not seen it around sedona.

lost marbles.

In the beginning it was interesting, but not spectacular.  Soon sandstone started showing us that it had been practicing tricks.

Kiera navigated and did it well.

The trail is not well marked, if only to discourage unauthorized visitors.

There are tracks in the sandy places, but sometimes, as we discovered on the way back, you are following people who are off route too.  On the rocks one has to follow a sheet provided with the permit.

Reflection in a puddle perhaps 10 feet wide left over from rain a week ago.

Rough country.

 Every wave needs a lighthouse

Shelley arriving at the top of the wave.

Tomorrow, stone with a sense of style.