Parking lot is small; we were lucky to find a spot around noon on a Thursday. No bathrooms at the trail head and several were "popping a squat" and leaving behind their toilet paper which was kind of gross. Also no enforcement of the required permit and no other vehicles had parking passes displayed on their dash as instructed by the permit guidelines. Trail is not marked at all and we did get off trail by accident a few times coming down. The entirety of the trail is rocky, which doesn't matter as much during the first mile that is relatively flat but did require strategic footing on the way up the last half mile and extreme caution coming down. I slid several times despite being extra cautious (and saw many others sliding too) and even fell twice (luckily didn't get hurt). There was a small bee hive at the wave and bees followed us the entire way back to the parking lot. Saw some birds and lizards. Made it up in an hour and took just about the same amount of time coming down with full sun the entire time. I recommend this hike because the wave cave is a cool feature but I don't think I'd do it again because of the trail conditions and bees. read more

Wave Cave - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

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Definitely worth the hike, it was a moderate level hike but definitely had me winded at points. Check it out if you're in the area! read more

Wave Cave - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

Very popular Trail due to social media. It's within the Tonto National Wilderness area and so guidelines should be followed for the wilderness. The parking lot that had been used became so overcrowded that the forest service closed it March 2026. A large parking lot is located not too far from the Peralta Trailhead. This is the Lost Goldmine East Trailhead. A permit is not required to park or to hike this area. If you need a bathroom you need to follow the road to the end to the Peralta Trailhead. The trail follows along at the beginning of the hike on the Lost Goldmine Trail. Less than 1/2 mile you'll see a fence opening to the right. This is the beginning of the Carney Springs trail and will lead up to the Wave Cave. The Wave Cave section veers off to the left and the main trail will continue up to the Superstition Ridgeline. If you miss the fence opening you will continue hiking approximately 4 miles to the next parking lot, which is for the Lost Goldmine Trail and is the same parking lot for the Hieroglyphic Trail. The wave cave is a beautiful place for picture taking and it can get very crowded on weekends. So plan your trip to go early, making sure you have good hiking shoes, hat, and plenty of water. read more

worth it for sure only negative if there is one is the fact that it's out on the north east side of town and a solid drive from the west side of town, which has nothing to do with the actual hike the cave is pretty cool read more

amazing hike. be prepared for how steep it can get, wear hiking boots for sure....hike took 2 hrs total

This hike is definitely not easy, more moderate/difficult. There is no shade until you reach the wave cave. The last .4 of the hike is straight up hill climbing with your hands. We went in late May with 95° weather and I would not recommend until the cooler months or earlier in the morning (before 9am). There are a lot of loose rocks throughout the hike and this is not a popular tourist hike so there are minimal people. Gorgeous view. An overall great experience. Bring a full camelback of water and snacks because you will need them. read more

Wave Cave - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

Easy to find the parking for the trailhead. The lot is small, but it wasn't busy so there was plenty of parking. The trail is also easy to follow thanks to the spray painted white arrows. The hike is rated difficult on AllTrails. I would say it's more moderate. The views are stunning and the cave is a fun way to end the hike! We came on a Sunday afternoon and there were only a few other people. We had the cave to ourselves for awhile. We saw a total of 3 tarantulas on the trail which was cool! read more

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I arrived around 8:30 AM, and it was the perfect time to visit. The parking lot is small, but there were barely any cars when I got there. Last time, I came around 11 AM, and the lot was packed--I couldn't find a spot and ended up going elsewhere. The hike was great, though a bit challenging through the rocky sections. It's about 3.3 miles round trip from the parking lot. If you're looking for a quiet escape and an amazing view from the cave, this is the perfect spot. read more

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Steady, rocky, steep! Solid shoes, patience, and plenty of water are a must! Trail is about 3.4 miles and takes a little over 2 hours. 10/10 recommend! Note: the trail rating of hard is accurate. This isn't an easy trail; many challenges and steep elevation all the way up (once you clear the ground). read more

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Don't go here, stay home, this place used to be quiet and not overrun with people. Absolutely packed by 9 AM. STAY HOME. read more

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Wave Cave Trail is a fun, quick out-and-back hike that is clearly marked. 3.2 miles total with increasing elevation as you progress toward the top... and the opportunity to explore some other flatter off-shoot trails as well. There are some small- to medium-sized rocks to climb over... but no scrambling, so this hike is good for hikers of all ages and capabilities (although some will certainly find this more challenging than others). Dogs of all sizes should be able to handle this hike/climb as well - my smaller doggie was actually quicker to the top and needed less rest time than the larger one! The reward comes at the top -- besides hiking being good for your overall health :) -- with the wave! "Ride" it on the bottom or get on top for a cool picture-worthy moment. This trail can get a bit crowded, especially as you make your way to the top... so you may want to find a less busy time, but that's the same for any popular hiking trail. ****FOUR STARS**** read more

Have to get here earlier to bits the traffic. We got here at 9 on Monday, which was a perfect time since the morning weather is a bit chill in the winter. The parking lot or entrance to this trail is unmarked, so when you see a parking lot on your left side before Peralta Trailhead, that's the one. If you drive all the way to Peralta Trailhead then you drive to far. The trail itself very well marked with white arrows spray paint ( thank you whoever did that), but the entrance is a bit confusing. There are three trails at the entrance, one on the left and one on the right but the middle one with the barbed wires is the one. Its look like closed with barbed wires fence, you just need to go through it. This trail is a bit climb, but was fun and took us about 45 minutes going up and 35 minutes down. It might take longer for some people, but hey it's beautiful views here and take your time. read more

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The book was quite a experience,I really enjoyed the thrill behind the book.It was a great post apocalyptic dystopian and I think I'm going to start reading more books because of this book. I definitely recommend this book to anyone trying to get into reading or even just a casual reader. Quick Sumatra:A girl named Cassie is living her life when a alien spaceship comes to earth and sends waves of human destruction till 96% of the world is wiped out.It is a fight for human survival and our primal instincts. read more

Wave Cave - Background - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

DO THE WAVE! I'm all about the not too difficult yet not too easy type of hike that leads to a great photo op and this was perfect! It's about 3 miles round trip. To get there, route to Carney Springs Road in Gold Canyon. Make sure you have an AWD car that can handle the dirt paths. Once you park, continue down Carney Springs Road. Eventually you will reach some cattle fence with barbed wire. Go through it. From there, it was a pretty straight forward path. I would check Google Maps from time to time to make sure you're headed in the right direction. The hike up wasn't too bad. The last stretch of the hike got me huffing and puffing cause I was a bit out of shape, but I loved the challenge. It took us about an hour to hike up. The cave itself is awesome and the view is great. Make sure you take lots of photos that show off the wave. The farther back you take the photo, the better. Also, save your secrets for later, because it echoes in there! The hike back was super chill. I enjoyed all the cacti. It took about 30 minutes to get back. We went on a Saturday afternoon in mid April. I believe the temperature was about mid 80s. Definitely start earlier to avoid the heat! P.S. If you need to use the bathroom, route to the Peralta Trailhead! read more

I cannot say I was overly excited when shawty asked "want to go for a hike at 7am?" There was approximately a 4 mile dirt road leading to the beginning of the trail head. Good thing we had a jeep. The trail begins flat and has a gradual incline. The last quarter of the trail is steeper. The view from the cave is beautiful. I'd rate this 6/10 for difficulty and 8/10 for view read more

Wave Cave - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

I highly recommend this hiking trail. My group and I drove down early in the morning to beat the heat. Finding where the actual trail begins was a little tricky, make sure, after you park, you go through the gate entrance and through all the flat lands to start the actual hike. Also make sure to follow the white arrows to stay on the trail as it is easy to get off track. Closer to the cave the trail gets very steep. But once you reach the cave, it is truly a sight see, with amazing views of the AZ desert. On your way back down be very careful as there are lots of loose rocks, which makes it easy to slide and fall, especially if you are not wearing hiking boots. read more

Wave Cave - Wave Cave trail - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

So i didn't get to make it to top but i looked at many pictures on here that help. First time we attempted it got lost We drove a bit further to the actual location where it was later Lost Gold Mine Trail and it has arrows pointing you to the trail. If you want to actually hike from the start then go to the location pictured which is actually the 2nd parking lot you'll see. The first parking lot you see will by-pass the actual, and it's just a rocky flat walk to the bob-wire fence to where you'll cross to continue your hike. Review previous pics and read their caption to get more info if this doesn't help. The trail was very very very clean compared to some other states which i admire. Arizonans keep that up. read more

Parking was busy at this trail on a Sunday at 10am. The trail to the wave cave is steel and has lots of loose gravel. I would recommend good tread on your hiking shoes and take caution going down! (I took a digger along with someone else in my party) Getting to the top there wasn't too much foot traffic but by noon the trail was busy. read more

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It's a great hike, didn't take a picture of cave but went above and beyond for these pics read more

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I'll start off with the bad. Lots of cons but some great pros too. Cons: Unpaved roads for about 6-7 miles. Once you pass the Peralta elementary school on your right, driving in a tiny car is miserable and your car will look dirty AF. It was extremely bumpy and uncomfortable and a bit frightening to drive for 15 min like that. I'd prob say otherwise if I had a Jeep or a big car tho. TRAIL IS NOT MAINTAINED. The hike to the wave was fine but coming back, we got lost because there is only ONE trail marker. We were so off course that it added an extra 90 min to the hike. I wouldn't mind this normally but I came with a couple of new hikers who were not ready for that. I am not a super experienced hiker myself but I've done my fair share of trails and have never gotten lost to the extent I did today at this trail. Literally no clear signs or directions at all. Just one janky sign at the start of the trail that isn't even labeled the Wave. If you are looking to do the Wave, park at the lot with the sign "Lost Goldman". This will take you to the wave. Was oddly crowded but no one person knew where the trail was Pros: Great workout and generally a fun hike- would rate it as a moderate hike. Easier than Toms Thumb. Saw lots of children and dogs on this hike so it's not difficult. Fairly short--about a mile to get to the trailhead and then 1.7 miles each way. No admission fee to enter. Great views at the top that make for a fun photo shoot Parking is okay if it the parking lot is not full. There's overflow parking at Lost Goldman. Go there instead of parking in the mini lot right next to the main parking lot. Mini lot scratched up my car because of the boulders. read more

Wave Cave - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

Hiked up to the Wave Cave with a group of fellow hikers this past weekend and had an absolute blast! The road was bumpy to get there (dirt and unpaved from just beyond the start of Peralta Rd) but luckily I was able to carpool with someone who had a truck. I did see some hikers take their sedans to the trailhead but would advise against it unless you're into scratches on the lower body and possible issues with your suspension. The trail itself is roughly 1.7 miles each way and about 950 feet in elevation gain. Most of that gain comes quick and steep at the end as you near the cave, so pace yourself and enjoy the incline! Once you're at the cave, it's a perfect photo op as well as a place to rest and enjoy the nice view southeast. Seriously, the views and unique experience in witnessing the wave firsthand can't be beat. The way down can be tricky as you're dealing with loose stones and sand but as long as you watch your step and stay careful, you'll be fine. Hit the trail and have some fun! read more

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Great hike on a cooler day. Totally worth the time and effort! Take a camera! The views are stunning!

Pretty easy hike with fun views at the top! I would recommend this trail to anyone who's looking for a trail to bring visitors on!

The hike is relatively easy for anyone in shape. The inclination at the end gets the heart rate up, but it's nothing crazy. The biggest challenge with this short hike is attempting it in temperatures above 85℉. Always bring a lot of water and be sure to hike with a friend. Again, this is a nice reasonable hike with low risks, but the Arizona climate is always an issue if you don't take it seriously. If you are getting back in shape, this is a good hike that can push you. The hike is exactly 1.54miles each way (3.08miles round trip). There is a total climb of 939 feet which adds about 25% effort to your otherwise moderate calorie burn. Important Note: finding the cave is relatively easy once you know which trail to follow. There is one crucial spot along the early part of the trail that requires you know what to do. The trailhead starts at the dirt lot where Carney Springs Rd (now just a dirt path that is not open to public vehicle traffic on a regular basis) branches off of Peralta Rd (77). You follow Carne Springs Rd until it stops. At that point, the Lost Goldmine trail is running north/south across your hiking trail. There are markers to clearly go left or right (north or south). Choosing either of those is NOT the way to Wave Cave. Instead look straight ahead and there is a cattle wire fence with a V-Gate to let you pass through. That is the direction to Wave Cave. Go straight west towards the mountains. You will see the trail continue as you cross the fence line. Assuming you make it to the cave, one of the biggest boons of this hike is the scenery. First, as you ascend to the cave you will get an increasingly beautiful panoramic view of the Gold Canyon valley which stands in the eastern shadows of the Superstition Mountain range. If hiked 3-10 days after a rainfall, the plant life, valley and mountain sides are covered with native greenery and flowers. Second, arriving at the cave is itself a unique respite for Arizona hikes. Unlike Wind Cave and other so-called "cave" trails, this ends at an actual cave that is deeply hollowed out into the side of the mountain. It is 15-20℉ cooler in the cave than outside, making it perfect for Arizona hiking. And the cave is also unique in its internal massive size which could easily fit a few hundred people. read more

Wave Cave - View from the parking area. - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

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Very fun hike. Take a walking stick and wear good shoes/boots. There is an area where there are lots of rocks to maneuver over. We went in January, the cooler the weather the better. read more

I should preface this by saying that this hike can be extremely challenging for novice hikers. Please bring extra water, as it gets extremely hot. Also, please wear proper shoes/hiking boots because this is an extremely rocky trail and one false move could injure you! If you plan on bringing your fur babies, make sure to bring extra water for them as it can get very hot. Since it is rocky, please be mindful of your pups as they can scratch their paws/legs/etc. Take frequent breaks in between if the climb gets difficult. It's not about how quickly you can finish, it's about the journey to the destination. I felt so fortunate to be able to hike this trail during this time because the wild flowers were starting to bloom! There are two points where you can start from, with two different parking areas. each point will still take you up to the cave, but the trail we took was an extra mile longer! We got here at around 10 in the morning and while there was a nice, gentle breeze, it was hot as heck! The climb was gradual at the beginning until halfway through the trail. I would rate this as a moderate hike-- up until the very end. The last quarter mile of the hike is a continuous and very steep climb to get to the top, so take frequent breaks if needed!! Don't pass out! Once we got to the top, everything was worth it! The breeze felt amazing, the view couldn't be beat, and of course, the Wave Cave = impromptu photo shoot. The climb down is definitely a lot easier than the climb up! As always, happy training, hikers! read more

Wave Cave - My best friends in the entire world! - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

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The views on the way up are everything. I love the raw beauty of this place; however, the trail itself is incredibly poorly blazed! The Wave Cave isn't even mentioned on the map at the parking lot trail head, so bless someone tells you that's the spot, or you were fortunate like me to run into hikers leaving who share that info with you, YOU WILL MISS IT. But let's say you find your way on somehow, there are many forks and false trails along the way. Once you see the blazes, it's quite relieving but for some reason the blazes stop at the top of the scramble when you actually need them most!!! I didn't feel too comfortable wandering up there trying to find this cave. Now granted it was late in the afternoon which added to my angst but still, its baffling that no clear markings were up at that part of the hike. So come on out but get clear direction to the cave before hand! read more

The only reason it got only 4 stars is that my mother and girlfriend were not able to make it all the way to the cave and see it. Not a hike for novice hikers, in my opinion. I hike quite a bit and the last bit of the hike up to the cave had me fairly winded. Totally worth it tho because the rock in front of the cave does look like a wave and there is a nice view looking out. read more

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Great hike and amazing trail for a moderate challenge. Beautiful views as well. Wish I was 100% I would hike this regularly. read more

Wave Cave - Wave cave - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

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This is a nice hike. FYI: The road back the last 5ish miles is dirt road so expect to get that vehicle dirty. I had fun taking the truck out on this road. Its a decent road compared to the road to Sycamore Canyon. The hike was a lil butt kicking only the last lil 1/4 mile up trek. The reward at the top is a magnificent view and some calories burned. read more

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Just a short drive from the valley! But it does include a windy dirt road. Parking lot is small. The trail is NOT well marked & it's very easy to wander off so be careful. Lots of loose gravel & some rocks to climb over but it's a fairly easy hike for everyone 6 and up. I took my 4 year old yesterday & she did well but needed lots of help or wanted to be carried. The last 1/4 mile is the hardest but it's not bad. So worth the pretty & Cave! The cave is larger than I thought! Lots of fine sand so be prepared to get pretty dusty & dirty! Use caution heading bavk down, it's so easy to slip. My friend brought hiking sticks & they were awesome for the hike down! Don't forget water & sunscreen, even in the winter! read more

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When you get to the first, and only trail marker, you have to go straight, THROUGH the fence. We missed the opening in the gate and added an extra 2 miles to our hike. Once you're through the fence there are white spray paint markers to guide you. No shade at all on the hike so plan accordingly. Pretty steep at the end. read more

Seriously how has it taken me this long to hike here ! Absolutely breathtaking!!!! 360 views all around, taking in the gorgeous az sun ! The trail from parking lot to the cave is about 3.5 miles up and down! It's a rocky trail with some steep areas a little of slippery worn trail in some sports as well ! We ran into a rattler in the way up and made sure to keep our eyes open the rest of the hike. Bring plenty of water it may be a short hike but you get a lot of sun most of the trail if you go in the am hours! Sunscreen water and some good shoes ! Take in the views ! I didn't bring my son because it was my first time but I definitely will next ! read more

Wave Cave - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

I had never been here before, but I had seen the pictures and could not wait to see the view for myself. The parking is limited, so I recommend carpooling with your group. I went with a group of fellow hikers from one of the hiking groups I belong to and the parking lot filled up quickly. There are alternate lots and multiple trailheads. I met a ton of people on my slow trek up, I stopped to see the view and catch my breath a few times. I tend to not look up too much about my hikes before I go on them because I don't want to talk myself out of something. The hike was doable, until just before the wave. Once we got towards the top, it seemed I could only take about five steps before I would need to stop, use my inhaler and try to catch my breath. Don't let my review stop you, the view is WORTH IT! Just be sure to bring your water, your sun protection and your inhaler. read more

Love this trail. The views are spectacular. Parking is scarce though. The hike is moderate but steep and slippery in some spots toward the top. Highly recommend. read more

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Super easy hike to do with friends in the Superstition. Saw tons of college students and families for this quick almost 3 mile hike, round trip. Def take some shadow shots at the wave. read more

Wave Cave - Cause you can do these shadow shots - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

I'll start out that I very much underestimated this trail. I went through the reviews and figured since kids could do it I should be able to breeze through it. Once I started and made it roughly halfway through I strongly thought about turning back but after some thought I was determined not to let the climb win. Don't let this steer you away from attempting this though. Just make sure you are prepared. 1. Hiking shoes with long socks 2. At least 2 bottles of water 3. Gloves for when it gets very rocky and You need to climb a bit to protect them hands. 4. ARRIVE EARLY! I got there at 8 thinking i should be okay. It was tough getting a parking spot even then. It took me about 2-2.5 hours to get to the top and then about 1.5-2 hours to get down. *i was an idiot though and wore NEW hiking shoes with no show ankle socks -trust me lesson learned and I'm paying for it. About 10 mins into the hike you will stumble on a barb wire looking fence. There is a latch you can pull up on so you can move the post to get through. Also, I read you will need a permit or day pass. If you go to Safeway Or circle k gas station you can go get a day pass for $8. At the cite I didn't see to many cars though with permits on their car so take this suggestion as needed. It was my attempt of "I tried to follow the rules" read more

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One ove my fave hikes and its definitely work it! The last little bit before the cave is pretty steep up so be ready for a good leg work out and wear good shoes it's a pretty rocky trail . It's nice they have started to make the trail so it's easier to find. It about a 3 mile hike but I would say medium to difficult but the pay off is amazing! Definitely need to do this hike at least once! read more

Wave Cave - Great Easter HiKe! - Hiking Near Me - Gold Canyon, Arizona

Great views and a nice cool breeze... Nice 3.7 mile hike from the parking lot round trip. Easy hike if not for loose rocks, that being said I would call it a moderate hike. Wear good boots and bring some water and it's a nice short hike. Parking area is on the dirt road you take to Peralta Trailhead heading north in Peralta Road in Gold Canyon Arizona. Park in the yellow fenced parking area before Peralta Trail on the left side of the dirt road as you near the mountain. It is a lot that holds about 10 cars or so. Follow the rocky dirt trail from the lot and when you reach the barbed wire fence DO NOT go right or left but go straight through the fence opening that you must zig zag to get through. Follow the trail up and keep right and you cannot miss it. read more

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5 stars for anything that involves not sitting on your butt. I have not been in a long time and my sister had the idea for us and our kids and mom and dad to go hike. Wow, this place is popular now. I remember back when you might see one person the whole hike and have the whole place to yourself. Not the case anymore, the word is out and I didn't realize just how popular this short hike is now. Either way, I hike because I like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the every day grind of work week life, this is not that type of hike. Today we went as a family and I would highly recommend this hike for any family. The youngest in our group was our 6 year old daughter and the oldest were our parents in the 60+ age group. We usually bring our dogs hiking but this is a short hike and with a large group I didn't want to worry about them knocking someone over and I'm glad we didn't bring because there were a lot of dogs on this hike. No biggie as they were all leashed and well behaved which is a good thing anytime you are on a narrow trail and steep slopes. So the trail itself can be accessed from a couple different trailheads off of Peralta Road. Once you turn off the 60, about 5.5 - 6 miles in you should have found parking. You can see the cave from the road if you are paying attention. We started from the Lost Goldmine trailhead today as everything else was packed. Depending on your starting location which will be dictated by where you have to park, the round trip distance can vary from 3.5 to 4.5 miles give or take and from start to finish you will find an elevation gain of 960' - 1000'. The first half is pretty easy walking then turns all uphill. Be sure you have shoes with some sort of traction or you will be slipping and sliding and it is never fun to fall on sharp rock or into cactus. And always bring water. Temperatures were cooler today and in the low 60's, but you can still get dehydrated and sun burnt, so plan ahead. The "Wave Cave" itself is pretty cool and once you arrive you are awarded with some great photo opportunities. Hang out, eat a snack and head back. Small kids and older folks should take their time and not rush. Enjoy the surroundings and watch your step until you get back to the easy walking section. In shape types you can knock this out in 2 to 2-1/2 hours easily. Today with our age group range it took us almost 5 hours. So be realistic with what your kids can handle or be realistic with your own physical ability. Helicopter rides are fun but not cheap if you have to be rescued. read more

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