The Wave

The route runs from Wire Pass, at 4,807' on the Utah side of the Utah–Arizona line, to The Wave, a sandstone formation at about 5,225'. There is no maintained trail; the route crosses open desert wash and slickrock using BLM-issued photo waypoints, a topographic map, and GPS. Permit holders receive an orientation and a route description at pickup covering the day's waypoints. From the trailhead, head northeast across the wash below Wire Pass and The Cockscomb, climbing gradually toward a break in the sandstone known as The Black Crack, reached at about 2 miles. The Wave lies in a shallow bowl just below and south of The Black Crack, roughly 3 miles from the trailhead, having gained about 400 vertical feet. Many permit holders continue past The Wave into the surrounding cove to see Second Wave immediately north, then zigzag up the Navajo sandstone onto the mesa above. From there, The Alcove, Melody Arch, and Hourglass Arch are all accessible, with Top Rock Arch further north along the same mesa; there is no marked path between any of them Retrace the same route back to the trailhead. Landmarks look markedly different heading south; recheck the waypoint photos rather than relying on memory of the outbound leg. Dogs are allowed on leash, but must be included on the permit for an additional fee.