Can a simple photo on a guidebook cover really seal the success of a trip like the first circuit in the American Southwest? It seems to me a simplistic analysis that doesn't take into account the realities on the ground. Gaining a spot at The Wave requires a lottery permit, a process that demands much more than a visual inspiration.
What really matters is logistical planning, flight and accommodation bookings, and navigating the permit system.
Inspiration is one thing, but winning over operational constraints is another.