Finally, The Wave, Part 2

We crossed Sand Wash and stood at the base of the Navajo Sandstone escarpment.  Basically we were less than a half-mile from The Wave but about 240 feet below it.  Just a short distance in LOOSE SAND, and then a climb up the rocks!  

The Wave is only about 1.5 acres . . . very small.  But the sights are packed within!

Entering The Wave

In particular, there are several places that show dry soft sediment deformation - where the dunes were stressed by "something from above" - wind, more sediment, Jurassic animals, etc. - and the angle of repose turned into a sand slide!  One area west of the Classic Wave showed this phenomena only too well.  Even above The Wave, one could find sediment deformation.  Because of the deposition environment, there were no tracks - nothing - but the deformation was present.  What could be the cause?  Probably wind and sand saltation.

Sediment deformation above The Wave

The classic Wave picture

Above looking into The Wave

At the top of The Wave

Ron & Maureen in The Wave

Illusion

 By 3pm, it was time to leave.  We had not covered all we wanted to see, but then again, there will be next year and a new lottery!  As we left The Wave and descended to Sand Wash, it was a little sad.  We had to leave. 

But when we were just above the Wash on the way down, a dead juniper bush showed our feelings of leaving - just a few are picked and just a few survive.

We did make a major mistake as we hiked out.  We didn't continue drinking enough water!  Yes, we were in too much of a hurry to leave because of the time.  If you ever make the hike, or next time we make this trip, be sure to drink as much water leaving as you did entering!  Our trusty Garmin Monterra GPS and topographic map showed us the way to leave, but the party of 3 behind us were not so lucky.  We had left them photographing some final shots, and as we talked with Cara, the BLM person, we saw them descend and enter the Wash.  They started a lower path, so Cara broke our conversation to intercept them.  We left heading to the twin peaks and the way out.  Cara started hiking to the Toadstools and Hoodoos to stop the party of 3 and send them to higher ground.

Toadstools and Hoodoos

By 5:30pm, we were back at the truck.  It was 6:45pm before we were back in Kanab at the RV.  And by that time, it was WAY PAST puppy dinner time!  We were in so much trouble!