Quick beta: The Wave (cool morning, warmer finish)
Feb 6-8, 20265 people1 min read
A
Adam Collins
1 reports
4.0
Difficulty
4
Scenery
4
Trail Conditions
5
Just got back from The Wave and wrote this while it is still fresh. We went Main Wave route with extra time for return navigation with a group of 5 and started around 6:25 AM.
Weather: Cold start turned into warm sun by mid-morning. Trail: Route markers lined up well, still worth checking maps often. Water: No on-route water, so we packed the full day carry.
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: Have a turnaround time before you get committed to the hardest section.
Ratings: overall 4/5, difficulty 4/5, scenery 4/5, conditions 5/5.
Conditions at Time of Trip
Feb 2026Weather
Cold start turned into warm sun by mid-morning.
Trail
Route markers lined up well, still worth checking maps often.
Water
No on-route water, so we packed the full day carry.
Crowds
Packed
💡Tips from the Trip
💡
General
- •If the trail is muddy, slow down instead of fighting it.
- •Have a turnaround time before you get committed to the hardest section.
- •Do not trust parking to work out at the last minute.
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