Frozen White Waves

About This Experience

This hike became one of the most unforgettable adventures of our entire trip through the American West, although for most of the way we had no view at all of the extraordinary formations waiting for us at the end. The hike was about four miles one way, with roughly 1,900 feet of elevation gain, so reaching our destination required a serious climb. The route itself was adventurous and at times surprisingly difficult to follow. There were sections where the path almost disappeared, and we repeatedly had to stop, study the terrain, and figure out where to continue. One especially beautiful section led us along a narrow sandstone ledge, with the rock dropping away beside us and wide views opening across the surrounding landscape. Walking along that ledge was one of the most scenic parts of the entire approach. One of the funniest moments came when we had to cross a waterfall, something we certainly had not expected in such a dry landscape. Another obstacle was a vertical drop of about six feet. To overcome it, we had to climb up a log that had been positioned against the rock. It was awkward, a little adventurous, and definitely one of the moments we remembered afterward. There was also no water available anywhere along the route, so everything we needed for the long climb had to be carried with us. For mile after mile we continued upward without seeing the formations that were the real goal of the hike. That made the final arrival even more dramatic. Suddenly, near the end of the route, the landscape opened and the incredible white sandstone formations appeared in front of us for the first time. We could hardly believe what we were seeing. Huge smooth domes and ridges of pale sandstone rose from the desert, covered with delicate gray, white, yellow, and orange layers that curved and flowed across the rock like frozen waves. After the long climb and all the effort of finding the route, the sight was overwhelming. We began exploring the formations, climbing onto the smooth sandstone ridges and looking for different viewpoints. Every few steps revealed another extraordinary composition. Some surfaces were almost completely white, while others contained orange and reddish streaks that followed the curves of the rock. Small pine trees growing from cracks in the sandstone created a beautiful contrast, while beyond the formations the landscape opened into enormous views of distant cliffs, mesas, and colorful desert country. The clear blue sky made the pale sandstone stand out even more dramatically. We spent a long time photographing the area because practically every direction offered another incredible scene. The shapes, colors, curves, and open views were unlike anything we had photographed before, and we took what we still consider some of the best shots of our lives. It was one of those rare places where even the photographs looked almost unreal, although they still could not fully capture what it felt like to stand there. After hiking four miles and climbing 1,900 feet without seeing our destination, the sudden appearance of those spectacular formations made the experience even more rewarding. The difficult route finding, the sandstone ledge, the waterfall crossing, the climb up the log, and the lack of water were quickly forgotten once we reached the top. For us, this was simply the most beautiful area we had ever seen in the American West, and one of those extraordinary places where the effort required to reach it made the final discovery even more unforgettable.