I haven't posted in a while so I hope this is not redundant, but if you're going to be in the Page, AZ area and thinking that you might try the lottery for the Wave, think again. I was in Page last week and just thought I'd drive the 30 miles (West) and give it a try. So, I left Page at 8:00 am to give me plenty of time to be there in time to fill out the application and the 9:00 am drawing. Imagine my surprise when I walked up to the door at 8:30 and there was a notice posted that the lottery for the day was closed! Yes, folks, Page (AZ) is on Pacific time during this time of year and the BLM station, being in Utah, is on mountain time. Alas, it was already 9:30 there. Duh!!!! Oh, by the way, they also posted the number of people in the draw each day and it was in the 60-80 range each day---for 10 spots and of course the first person selected can take up to six of the 10.
I was there last month with a friend who really wanted to visit the Wave.
He scored a permit, but it was an absolute zoo in that little building, and that was with 40-50 people applying! I can hardly imagine what even more of a crowd would resemble.
Too much publicity over last couple of years has brought attention to it.
Gotta admit, Id love to hike in and see it, but that lottery bit is a real pain, particulary when you cannot schedule ahead 6 months. I work for self so my trips occur in the short term, with long term planning very hard.
It may be a pain, but I'm really glad the BLM is sticking to their quota and not allowing the increased demand to pressure them into raising it. Granted, I've been there multiple times, both north and south, before it was "discovered by the masses". Back then they didn't have a video to show you how to find it, it was up to the individual. I used an inaccurate topo map and lots of time, and listening to vague advice, such as " most people don't go far enough, just keep walking and searching". The best time IMHO to visit, is the 1st half of May when the cactus are blooming and it's still not too hot. This timeframe also provides the possibility of the pool of water that forms from spring rainstorms, assuming you can get in on the road (that road mud is slicker than snot on a doorknob).
It's popularity is well deserved. I'm also glad they are protecting it with limits. You might try a less popular time of year. I went in March a couple of years ago and had great weather.
Discussion
7 repliesHe scored a permit, but it was an absolute zoo in that little building, and that was with 40-50 people applying! I can hardly imagine what even more of a crowd would resemble.
Gotta admit, Id love to hike in and see it, but that lottery bit is a real pain, particulary when you cannot schedule ahead 6 months. I work for self so my trips occur in the short term, with long term planning very hard.