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00-GoPro_of_hike.mp4 - [53 MB] - GoPro timelapse every 10 seconds. Best to view at 10-15% normal speed.

01-7_Wonders_Loop_Trail-Fire_Wave_trailhead.mp4 - [42 MB]

7_Wonders_Loop_Trail-VOF-20200105.gdb

7_Wonders_Loop_Trail-VOF-20200105.gpx

Link to original pictures

The 7 Wonders Loop Trail is a very pretty "trail" offering amazing colorful rock formations which are only available in the Valley of Fire in this region of the country. The trail starts at the NW corner of the Fire Wave parking lot, then down a drainage until a usage trail junction. The usage trails need to be followed since they have already destroyed the fragile cryptobiotic soil. The left trail leads directly to Crazy Hill. Although, the "trail" is best to go right to soon enjoy Thunderstorm Arch (wonder #1) on the left. Afterwards, go up the sandstone slope on the left just past the arch to the Crazy Hill viewpoint which is easily accessible to Crazy Hill (Wonder #2) via easy class 1 or 2 scrambling. Crazy Hill offers an amazing array of crazy colors. Afterwards, backtrack to almost Thunderstorm Arch to go left (west) up a sandy slope following the usage trail around a sandstone cliff on the right to quickly discover Fire Cave (Wonder #3). Return back to the Thunderstorm Arch junction to turn right (south) following usage trails leading to a drainage which meanders avoiding catsclaw acacia with thorns. A class 2 scrambling option is encountered which soon leads to a wash junction. Most people turn left (east) missing the next wonder, but instead turn right (west) for more than a couple hundred feet to enjoy the amazing Kaolin Wash slot canyon (Wonder #4) offering amazing sandstone erosional features. Afterwards, backtrack to continue along the wash to the east enjoying the amazing rock formations and another slot canyon. Upon reaching the road, turn left for the next wonder. Most people continue across the road missing Striped Rock (Wonder #5) which is accessed by following a usage path on the left (west) side of the road for a little more than 300 feet to a yellow caution sign. Look to the NNW to easily see Striped Rock about 200 feet away. Descend following the usage trail to enjoy the amazing vibrant colorful rocks including the distictive swoosh for the Nike symbol. Afterwards, backtrack to the wash and cross the road continuing up Pink (Pastel) Canyon (Wonder #6). The canyon offers very smooth water sculpted sandstone features and a slot canyon with pink hues. From the road, travel about 1/3 of a mile up the wash to turn left (north) out of the wash to travel almost 250 feet to reach Fire Wave (Wonder #7). The return loop back to the parking lot is easily followed since marked with massive rock cairns to a wash with trail markers. Upon getting closer to the parking lot, there are spur trails. To follow the correct path, be mindful of trail markers and not usage paths created by others wanting a shortcut which has destroyed the desert crust. Return to the same point of the parking lot to conclude this amazing loop hike.