Fire Wave |

Valley of Fire

Hiking Fire Wave - Valley of Fire Hiking Fire Wave

Valley of Fire

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike
MAPS: VALLEY OF FIRE WEST, NV

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. South southwest wind 7 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

74 | 52

Sat

Rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

66 | 54

Sun

A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 47

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers between 11am and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

67 | 46

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 75.

75 | 50

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, though summers can be hot.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. South southwest wind 7 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

74 | 52

Sat

Rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

66 | 54

Sun

A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

63 | 47

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers between 11am and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

67 | 46

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 75.

75 | 50

View Full Weather Details
Diane taking in the scenery, Ruby not so much.

Diane taking in the scenery, Ruby not so much.

One of the newest park trails, Fire Wave, was once a social trail that has now become an official attraction. The eons compressed the shifting dunes into colorful striated rock. The hike is reminiscent of the Wave in the Arizona Strip, without the permit hassles. This hike was my favorite hike in Valley of Fire. On our trip, we visited just after sunrise and the colors were particularly vibrant. Surprisingly, an early start also meant we enjoyed the scenery without other visitors. A unique place that is particularly great for photographs without flocks of people in the scene.

Fire Wave is a good family friendly hike but can be brutally hot in the summer. If hiking in hot times of the year, I recommend a sunrise or sunset visit. If visiting at sunset, be sure to bring a headlamp for the return trip.

Colorful Fire Wave

Colorful Fire Wave

Getting There

Reach the park visitor center by taking exit 93 from I-15 if coming from the east ,or exit 75 if coming from the west (Las Vegas). From the highway, the route to the park is well signed. There is a fee to enter the park ($10 as of 2018 for day use).

From the Visitor Center, go north on the Mouse's Tank Rd/White Domes Rd for 4.6 miles to a signed parking area on the right, and another parking area on the left side of the road. The parking area on the right is the trailhead.

Great striation of the rock.

Great striation of the rock.

Route

From the trailhead, the sandy trail heads east toward the cliff. Once near the base of the cliff, the trail turns right (south) and meanders around the south end of the cliff and through a series of large boulders.

On the other side of the boulders, the iconic red and white sandstone of the Fire Wave starts. Follow the trail east, then south to the main section of Fire Wave, perched above a sandy wash.

Return the same way.


Maps

Route / 1.38 miles / Elevation Range 1,862 - 2,034 ft.
Printable Maps:
Trailhead

11S 721370mE 4040970mN

N36° 29' 19" W114° 31' 43"

Fire Wave

11S 721956mE 4040353mN

N36° 28' 58" W114° 31' 20"

Comments

Want to make a comment? Login and let yourself be heard.