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Really want to go to the Wave. What's the deal with permits? Seems pretty common in UT/AZ places. I guess I need to look into that. Places that required permits when we went to Moab were basically not possible for us. I guess I need to look into permit areas and travel on reservations more.


I'm reading some webpages and 4wd w/ at least 8" clearance is recommended. I don't know how to interpret that. Usually, is that a strong recommendation (ie - don't try unless you have it) or just a liability coverage thing? Is there a margin of error when they say 8"? 6" of clearance is actually good enough but they say 8" just to be sure? Or is 8" really a min recommendation?[/QUOTE]

For The Wave they give out 20 permits a day, 10 on line and 10 at the BLM in Kanab, a lottery system. You need to be at Kanab the day before to be in the drawing for next day permits. There are a couple of hundred people there at times for the 10 permits! Best is to look up the on line system and keep trying. There is Coyote Buttes South, too, another 20 permits but not The Wave.

There is talk of upping the permits to as many as 96 per day. IMO that would ruin the experience. It's a really remote hike, people get lost, have died, and then they want to allow more?

I rarely. if ever, see where they mention clearance in inches, mostly High Clearance 4WD, that would be a basic Wrangler. If it's really gnarly they'll mention tire size, 33" or 35" etc, and lockers.

Thanks - quick searches: Wrangler about 8.5-10". My truck about 8.9-10.5" (or something like that).

So maybe just barely okay with my truck... But I lack skills too so maybe stay off the 'high clearance' trails for now.

So, I'm thinking of making a loop this time out. Check out some various spots for a day or two each.

Considering for the loop:
1) Lake Havasu (1 day)
2) Sedona (2 days)
3) Page (1 nt / 1 day lookaround)
4) Bryce Canyon (1 nt / 1 day)
5) Zion (2 days)

Then maybe plan to spend more days next time in the places we really like / want to explore more.

Alternative is just Havasu and Sedona this trip (1 week combined) and then look around the more northern places next time. Only hesitation here is that may not be interested in coming back to this region unless we can see Wave / Antelope. Other regions are beckoning like ID, WY, etc...

All of those places are beautiful to visit. Everyone has their own style of vacationing so if you enjoy driving you can pull a trip like that off. If you're leaving from CA that looks like 5 days traveling out of 7 to me and you'll likely be in freezing temps in Page, Bryce, and Zion. You'll definitely be left wanting to spend more time in some of those places.

Not sure of your route, but an alternative to I-40 is to drive the old Route 66 between Kingman and Seligman, AZ. off the beaten path and a glimpse of what things used to be. It's where Disney got a lot of their inspiration for the original Cars movie.

So did this vacation ever happen? If so, how was it?

Health issues preventing hiking arose as plans were being locked. Went to relax and recover on the beach instead. Targeting late spring now for the Sedona, Page, Zion tour. Looking forward to the trip with good tips from the photography books. Maybe exercise some of the truck’s capabilities too.

Cool deal. When you get to Sedona, hit me up. We can grab some lunch.

Be advised, As of January 4, 2018, the Lower Antelope Canyon entrance fee is $40, which is separate from the $8 Navajo permit that is paid in cash. The total is $48 however, do check the website of the tour companies to confirm their most current pricing.