“The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you, and gives you a sense of meaning, joy and passion.” Unknown
Sometimes it is curiosity that taunts us, sometimes it is reputation, and sometimes because it just seems like fun. Today it was all three. I had heard about Wave Cave through other hikers and I promised myself I would not go through the winter without making the effort.
It is located in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona, and what makes it unique is while there is information and photos, it is not an established trail.
We make sure good shoes, and determination are within the consensus of the group and the GPS is activated…just in case. The packs are filled with the necessities for a desert hike, and we go.
I remember taking deep breath when I adjusted my backpack. I was thinking how appropriately named these mountains are, and how lucky we are that while most of the country is snuggled up next to the fireplace, in Arizona we find ourselves wandering through the desert with wide eyes.
The tiny dot of a cave on the hillside was pretty daunting from below, and viewable from the Canary Springs Parking. We were on the right track. We funneled ourselves on to the narrow passage and began the trek up a primitive trail. A 3.5 mile hike should be fairly simple, unless there is a 900’elevation gain over the first mile and a half.
We made it. And the views….
Speak for themselves.
Grateful once again for this beautiful place I also call home.
Donna
PS. That is me with the winsome smile.
Wind Kisses 
Is it allowed to camp there? Looks perfect to build a campfire and sleep out in the open, but I doubt the temperatures at night.
I find it unusual for an American to walk as much as you do, but that could be the stereotype I picked up from the false representation of American culture. Alas, photos are great and I can imagine myself taking a stroll over those rocks. Beautiful Donna. 😀
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If You visit here and YOU camp there, you can let me know about all the bats, coyotes, and scorpions that snuggle up with you😳😂. In the winter months the temperatures would be fine. Too hot in summer.
Thank you for your compliment. In some respects you might be right about American culture, but there are places, like Arizona (Colorado, California, Vermont) where people love to be active. I love to be outside! That is why we live here. In my younger days, i was a competitive runner, but these days I enjoy walking anywhere I can, and being outside as much as possible. And these days my 3 year old granddaughter is trying (I said trying, not succeeding, in wearing me out). 😂 Donna
What am I supposed to call You? Captain?
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Bloggers call me General, but my mother prefers to call me Shawn. 😀
I worked as a night guard in an apple orchard, so I know what is the sound of a wolf, what is like to be visited by jakkals, red foxes and packs of wild dogs. 😀
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Yes General, I saw that. Wasn’t sure an invite was required to call you that. Very well, General, sounds like you are familiar with the night critters, and clearly you love the outdoors. You would love every inch of Arizona, except the scorching summers, like the rest of us.
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You can call me Shawn if you prefer that. If you don’t like it, you can use my real name Nenad. (I am dying to hear an American pronounce that) 😀
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Hahaha. Ok. Nenad it is. I would probably say it knee…add. Does that butcher it? I couldn’t manage to fit in the middle n😂. On my way…so busy these days. I will catch up as I can. Have a good rest of your week.
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Cool. Thanks. 😀 You really butchered it, but that’s 0K. 😀
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And I promise if you ever visit Arizona, I will take you here so you can do critter research. It would also be a place to immerse your imagination in sci fi…
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Woah, that is a dream I am afraid of dreaming so soon into my career. 😀
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Wow! you are so lucky.
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Every time we do something like this, I feel exactly that. Thanks.
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beautiful – thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank YOU.
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Photo taken from Canary Springs Parking is simply amazing…I don’t think I’ve seen a sky so beautifully blue! Curious to know how far from home to this site Donna? How long the hike & back?
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Thanks Marie. And no editing on this photo. It was that beautiful today, especially for us. We haven’t had much rain this year, sometimes the desert can look a little dusty. It took us just over an hour to get to the Superstition Mountains. We don’t travel this way too often as we are closer to Sedona. It was close to 4 miles. The distance was not the difficult part. The elevation gain was the challenge. Great workout, and the knees did great. 😂
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Wow just one hour, that’s like having it as your own personal backyard playground! Glad your knees were as eager as you were!!
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Again, I’m jealous – what a gorgeous view! And awesome job on the Funnel word prompt!!
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Thanks Shelley, so beautiful and so close to home. I think what I love about the word prompts, is I still write about what is on my mind, but try to find what works. Today it” worked out” in more ways then one😉
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