Geology At Its Best In The Paria Canyon -- Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
Until a friend of mine invited me to tag along on a hiking trip in northern Arizona and southern Utah, I'd never heard of The Wave. But I realized when we got there that I'd definitely seen photos of this amazing formation, now an internationally known and very popular site. Which is why daily visitation has been limited by the Bureau of Land Management, to help prevent damage, crowding, and overuse of the area.
If you are willing to take your chances with the permit process, which I'll describe below, and are able to hike six, mostly easy to moderately difficult miles in desert terrain, I highly recommend a visit to The Wave. Here, I'll show you some photos from my hike, describe the route, the terrain, and a little of the geological history of the area, and tell you how to get there once you've obtained your permit.
What Forces Created The Wave?
That's what I wanted to know.
According to Wikipedia, The Wave is composed of Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone that is approximately 190 million years old. Scientists say the ancient sand dunes turned into hard, compacted rock over the ages, calcifying in vertical and horizontal layers. Further erosion by wind and rain created the spectacular landscape we see today.
The Hike To The Wave
Starting from the Wire Pass Traihead
You begin your hike to The Wave by walking up a wash. This wash eventually would lead you into The Buckskin, the world's longest slot canyon, but you'll turn off to the right--south/southeast--before then.
The Trail Towards The Wave Departs From The Wash
But you're not on a trail for long.
After following the wash for less than a mile, you'll see a sign post on your right: "Coyote Buttes." All hikers need a permit to enter this area, whether or not they're headed for The Wave. And The Wave requires a specific permit, which should be displayed on the backpack of one person in each party.When you first turn off from the wash to the south-southeast, you'll climb a short but steep, sandy hill, which will get your heart rate going. This and the final climb up a sand dune just before The Wave are the most difficult parts of the hike.
Due to a number of people getting lost in the area, the Bureau of Land Management has amended the material they give out to permit-holders to include GPS coordinates of various points along the route and a photographic map of features to keep an eye out for. If you pay attention to the directions and the terrain, you should have no problem finding The Wave; although, we did still run into people out there who seemed confused.
A View Of The Landscape En Route To The Wave
This stark, other-worldly and amazingly beautiful land also gets extremely hot in the summer. So, if you're hiking in June, July or August, be sure to start early, carry plenty of water (at least a gallon, I'd say), and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
The Route To The Wave: Sand And Slickrock
With some small, scattered cairns along the way
After a short stretch on sandy trail, you'll come to a large area of slick rock, which, when dry, offers very good footing. Here, you'll no longer be guided by trail but rather by terrain features and, here and there, small cairns. I found these cairns easy to miss and sometimes a bit confusing, but you'll probably spot most of them if you keep a careful eye out. They really aren't necessary, though, to find your way.
Head For The Buttes
The BLM instructions will point you to the right of two large ... well, I call them rock lumps, but they're officially called the "Twin Buttes." They should be pretty easy to identify from the photos on your handout.
Still, even if you stray in this area, another major feature in the distance will draw you in to the right spot.
Navigating To The Wave Shouldn't Be Difficult
If you follow directions and pay attention to the map and terrain
Here, my friend Sueanne walks to the right of the Twin Buttes. The buttes can be passed on the left, but it's easier to walk up the slickrock bowl and go around to the right. Half a mile past the Twin Buttes, you'll come to a wash. If you look across the wash, you'll see the multicolored domes on the opposite side. These and the sandstone formations to the right are where The Wave is located. Finding The Wave -- Head For The Crack In The Rock
See it in the distance, just to the left of center in the photo?
The Wave is located below that dark crack in the distance (just to the left of center).
The Ascent Before The Wave
Climb this sand dune to reach your destination.
Arriving At The Wave
A hidden gem
Close Ups
The ultimate in "rock art"
Natural Design
The Wave 2
Just a short walk beyond The Wave
A third of a mile southwest of the Wave is another really amazing formation.
The Wave Is Hidden In This Amazing Landscape
Video: Hiking To The World-Famous Wave
The Wave Permit Process
It's not the fun part of The Wave experience, but it is required.
My friend and I got lucky. Ours was the third application drawn that morning, as more than 50 people waited at the White House Ranger Station to find out if they'd get a permit for The Wave for the following day. There were spots remaining for only two more people, and the remaining parties were of three and four people.Only 20 people are allowed into The Wave each day, with a maximum group size of six. Ten spots are reserved for the in-person permit lottery at the Ranger Station, beginning at 9am each morning, and ten other slots are doled out by the online lottery system. You'd need to arrive at the Ranger Station early to fill out the application and be entered into the drawing.
For the online lottery, you have to pay a $5 nonrefundable application fee, and you can choose up to three dates per application. If you win a permit, you will be given just one of the three days. With the in-person lottery, you pay only if you receive a permit. The permits are $7 per person.
Online permits may be obtained up to four months in advance. At noon Mountain Standard Time you would need to be on the computer making application and calling the Ranger Station at the same time at (435) 688-3230 to double your chances.
Off-season (mid-November to mid-March) the lottery runs only 5-days-a-week from . The Paria Information Station issues permits for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday on the previous Friday.
Visit the BLM website for more information on how to obtain a permit for The Wave. Or skip right to the permit application process.
Be aware that the area is patrolled by rangers, and fines will be issued to those without permits. A copy of the permit will also need to be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle.
How The Wave Got So Popular
The Wave was first publicized in Germany in magazine articles and a 1995 nonverbal landscape documentary film called "Faszination Natur" or "Fascinating Nature". It was then visited by a small number of Europeans. Due to information being posted on the internet, The Wave has become widely known just in the last few years.
Faszination Natur
The book by the film's director
Faszination Natur
Amazon Price: (as of 12/14/2009)
Used Price: $63.08
Directions To The Wave Trailhead
on House Rock Valley Road
About 4.2 miles south of US 89 on House Rock Valley Road, you pass the Buckskin Trailhead on your left. Then, 3.7 miles further is the Wire Pass Trailhead with a large parking area and restrooms. The parking area in on the left (heading southbound), but the actual trailhead is on the left.
The trailhead is located in Utah, while The Wave itself is actually in Arizona.
Trailhead coordinates: 37 degrees 1.19'N / 112 degrees 1.48'W
Zoom out (using the minus button) to see where House Rock Valley Road is located.
See The Latest Buzz About The Wave
- Photos of the Wave and North Coyote Buttes, Arizona
- Photos of the Wave and North Coyote Buttes, Arizona, stock photos by California photographer Phillip Colla. Professional underwater, marine and wildlife stock photos. Natural History Photography.
- The Wave - Coyote Buttes
- The Wave is a sandstone rock formation located in the United States of America near the Arizona and Utah border on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes, in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, on the Colorado Plateau. ...
- The Wave, a sandstone formation in the Coyote Buttes of the...
- The Wave, a sandstone formation in the Coyote Buttes of the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, near the Arizona-Utah border -- Joseph Sohm/Corbis ©... Read More news about: VERMILION BORDER http://bit.ly/7ylYfK. via Ping.fm ...
- "The Wave" at Coyote Buttes on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- "The Wave" at Coyote Buttes. ... 8693. uploads. This photo also belongs to: Most interesting photos (Set). 77. items. American Southwest including the amazing Coyote Buttes "the wave" (Set). 56. items. 25 or more favs (Set). 149. items ...
An Article From The Los Angeles Times
More Information About The Wave
And Other Places To Visit In Coyote Buttes
- The Wave--Coyote Buttes | Utah.com
- The Wave has become a popular attraction in the Coyote Buttes area of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness on the Utah/Arizona border.
- Hike E2: Coyote Buttes/The Wave
- An article by Christopher Earls Brennen
- A Topo Map of The Wave Hike
- You can zoom in for a larger version of this map.
- Paria Canyon - Coyote Buttes - The Wave
- From ZionNational-Park.com
A Hiking Guide
Utah's Incredible Backcountry Trails
Amazon Price: $21.33 (as of 12/14/2009)
Used Price: $17.99
This is an illustrated, full-color hiking guide to Utah's backcountry trails, including 92 trail maps and hundreds of color photographs taken along the trails in Utah's 5 national parks, 15 wilderness areas, and other less well known and less protected areas.
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What Do You Think Of The Wave?
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Reply
- VegasJay VegasJay Nov 25, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
- Good lens. I plan to do this hike soon. It's definitely better than Red Rock! 5 stars...
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Reply
- CastleRoy CastleRoy Nov 23, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
- Amazing photos wonderful Lens.
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Reply
- southshoretees southshoretees Nov 23, 2009 @ 11:02 am
- Wow, beautiful! I've never been here, but I've traveled closeby. Nice work, outstanding photos.
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Reply
- mysticmama mysticmama Nov 20, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
- Very cool!
Great photos!... Blessed!
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Reply
- andreaberrios andreaberrios Nov 19, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
- Love this, amazing pictures, thank you for sharing it!
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A Bit About Me
Lensmaster Ramkitten has been a member since December 7 2008, has rated 2,390 lenses, favorited 197, and has created 110 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "100 Things I'm Thankful For". See all my lenses
My Bio
I'm glad you've stopped by! So what's with the Ramkitten thing, you ask? Well, that's my trail name in the long-distance backpacking community (and now just about everywhere else), but you can call me Deb if you'd like.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail was the greatest experience of my life, and I have plans for more long-distance treks in the future. That's me in the photo, celebrating at the official end of the A.T., excited about the accomplishment, looking forward to being home again, but a little sad inside, too, because an amazing journey has come to an end. That was in 2000 but feels like yesterday, as I remember everything in such detail. That's often how it is when you're moving through life at no more than 3 miles per hour along the simplicity of a trail.
Anyhow, I'm originally from Rhode Island but now live in Flagstaff, Arizona with my mustached man, Steve, and beloved pooch, Sassafrass Tea (or Sassy, for short). I'm a Search & Rescue volunteer (love it!) and a writer of both fiction and non-. In late 2008, I began working on my own internet-based business, selling pre-equipped 24-hour packs for hikers and other outdoorsy folks. And, as a 40th birthday gift to myself, I quit my "real job" in favor of doing things I truly enjoy on a full-time basis.
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