The Wave: water planning mattered
Feb 6-6, 20265 people1 min read
V
Vincent Cole
1 reports
5.0
Difficulty
3
Scenery
5
Trail Conditions
3
A few notes from our The Wave day. We went Classic out-and-back from Wire Pass before heat builds with a group of 5 and started around 6:00 AM.
Weather: Clear sky made timing simple and kept visibility high. Trail: Sand sections were soft but easy to follow with track lines. Water: No refill options at all - which drove our turnaround time.
Permit check was low drama. Screenshot + ID and we were on our way.
Everything worked. That is the whole point.
The short version: start early and keep layers simple.
If I did it again, I would: Bring one extra liter if you are unsure about water.
Ratings: overall 5/5, difficulty 3/5, scenery 5/5, conditions 3/5.
Conditions at Time of Trip
Feb 2026Weather
Clear sky made timing simple and kept visibility high.
Trail
Sand sections were soft but easy to follow with track lines.
Water
No refill options at all, which drove our turnaround time.
Crowds
Moderate
💡Tips from the Trip
💡
General
- •Poles help more than people admit on slick or steep exits.
- •Bring one extra liter if you are unsure about water.
- •Start earlier than you think if you want space on the first mile.
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