Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 939 | TRs | Pics Location: The Best Place on Earth
Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:58 pm Karen² - The Wave - Girls Gone Wild – Utah Part III
David & I did a similar road trip to Utah and Arizona back in 1998. Times were different back then, we were young, we didn’t have good jobs and subsequently no money, our relationship was fairly new and most importantly the information available on the internet, especially where hiking was concerned, was very limited. It was not too many years later that we learned, through the internet, several gems that we had driven right past without even realizing. And so this trip was in a way a chance to fill in some of those missing pieces. My main objectives were a hike to a place called “The Wave” and Havasu Falls, any thing else Tazz & I accomplished would just be gravy on top as far as I was concerned. David reminded me as I left that my main task was to take photos that would replace the pathetic old underwater disposable camera shots (we were hoping to hike the Narrows back then!) we currently had on our webpage under Utah/Arizona. Hopefully I succeeded in doing that!
The Wave is in the Coyote Buttes/Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness. It is a 5.5 mile RT hike, but there is no trail and only landmarks to guide the way. Since this is such a popular area, when you pick up your permits from the Ranger station you have to sit through a spiel about how to find it. They even give you a several page print out with a map and actual photographs with arrows drawn on them so you won’t get lost! Maybe a bit of overkill, but I suspect they do it because people have gotten themselves lost.
You must obtain permits well in advance or be at the ranger station 9am the day before your hike to be entered into the lottery. 10 people a day get permits via the lottery, and we lucked out and showed up the first day this year they did not need to hold a lottery, only 8 people showed.
The Wave is a mecca for photographers. I think Tazz was the only person there that day that I did not see with a tripod! The funny part is I always see the same shot from the Wave which made the hike itself a much more pleasant surprise. I’m not sure why I never see photos of the actual hike, the scenery is absolutely stunning. The terrain is vast and full of colourful rocks with amazing swirl patterns with many large ‘beehives’ dotting the landscape. You could spend hours just taking pictures and scrambling on the rocks on the way to the Wave.
After we made the last uphill trudge into the Wave (which is really a small area) the first order of business was to send Tazz ahead to do some Zamboni work. Previous photographers had laid out branches and believe it or not a cow hip bone to include in their compositions. Oh yeah, and I’m to believe it was perfectly natural for a cow to climb up this steep rock and giant sand dune to come to rest smack dab in the middle of the Wave entrance! Fabricated composition - yech!
We pretty much spent the whole day wandering around this area, taking pictures and soaking it all in. We deftly dodged other photographers to get out of their shots and worked on our own creative compositions to not include them in our shots. It wasn’t crowded but in case you haven’t noticed photographers don’t move too fast and the small area meant coming up with inventive angles that didn’t include other people or placing rocks or other obstacles in front of them.
I didn’t think the Wave could possibly live up to my expectations, especially after the hike in was so amazing. But it did, I was amazed at the beautiful rock, the patterns and colors were fascinating and the compositions were infinite.
I wonder how many photographers travel here and are never, ever seen again? It really hit me when we wandered a short distance further to an area called the Wave Two. After setting up for a shot I felt a tingly feeling that started at my feet and was slowly working its way upwards. Then I looked down and realized it wasn’t sensory overload, I had been standing on an ant hill! Sheesh! I’ll do just about anything for a shot, but this was a pretty dumb thing to do! Thankfully they were not the biting kind, but it took me a good 2 minutes to rid myself of all of them, they were sticky little guys!
Again I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Stay tuned for the next installment of our Utah/Arizona vacation...
-------------- I leave only footprints...and lens caps.
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 7818 | TRs | Pics Location: as far away from you as i can be...
Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:07 pm
Spectacular images I might not even bother to post mine. Wow!!! Love the report. My favorite part was taking my shoes off the moment I got there and hiked, and scrambled around bare foot all day. Less impact you know What an incredible hike this is! thanks again for inviting me along It is a place I have wanted to go for a long time now. Stay tune for pics
Karen, 0277 had me reaching for my surfboard. Tremendous capture of a world treasure. Friends and I tried to get a permit for The Wave 5 years ago but they were all taken.
-------------- The ground's a long way down but I need more
Is the nightmare black
Or are the windows painted?
Will they come again next week
Can my mind really take it?
-------------- ♫ You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. And you're the one who will decide where you'll go. Oh the places you'll go. - Dr. Seuss
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 7818 | TRs | Pics Location: as far away from you as i can be...
Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:02 pm
I have to say it is so hard to pick a favorite area from this trip. This hike was so awesome and so where all the others. It was really great to be able to spend a good majority of the day there and just soak it in. All I can do is share the images. You must go to witness the true magic.
I expect I know exactly what some of the heavily-geared photographers were thinking - wow, I wish I could set aside all this gear and run around barefoot like that faceless woman.
Actually, Karen & Tazz, I think you two beautifully represent complementary poles of how to get into the experience of a special place. Karen, with the discipline and commitment to bring all the gear and use your skills to best create the images you want. And Tazz, with the spirit and freedom to run around and experience the joy you have in wandering the rocks barefoot. It looks like you both got what you wanted out of the trip, each in your own way.
-------------- "Matt, you are truly full of it. But you take great --- pics, in spite of that." Scrooge
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What an incredible hike this is! thanks again for inviting me along It is a place I have wanted to go for a long time now. Stay tune for pics 
. She will have to photo shop me out!!! 
! 
