Paria Canyon - Coyote Buttes and White Pockets
North Coyote Buttes - The Wave
The Wave is located on the Colorado Plateau, near the Utah and Arizona border. The area is a gallery of gruesomely twisted sandstone, resembling deformed pillars, cones, mushrooms and other odd creations. Deposits of iron claim some of the responsibility for the unique blending of color twisted in the rock, creating a dramatic rainbow of pastel yellows, pinks and reds.
Coyote Buttes South Photo Gallery
Exploring more areas of the South west? Visit Traveling the Grand Circle page.
It took three different attempts to gain access to see the Wave. But the third time was a charm and I got my permit. I met a few other photographers that day at the drawing. This time I was there early in March. So it was till cold and before the real tourist season.
We headed out at sunrise and had our maps. But there was an old lady with the first group of us who all started out at the same time, who had been there now seven times. She was in her early 70's and told us she had knee surgery on both knees and was still out here hiking. I was so taken back by that story, as I think most there were as well, that we all slowed our pace a bit and walked with here until we had to climb the large sand dune to gain access to the Wave area.
I stayed there all day long until the sun dropped. I had marked my trek there with waypoints and followed them back at night. The early morning was cloudy. It gave the North Coyote Buttes area a different look to photograph. But the area really came alive with great saturated light in the late afternoon.
I spent a total of three days in this area. I also had received my permit to South Coyote Buttes as well and also went to see White Pockets on the third day. That last trip to Utah was trip number 7 for me. Trip number 8 will be again for Christmas with trip number nine in March to gain access to the Maze area of the Canyonlands. Needless to say, I know my way around Utah very well by now. So any of you wanting or needing any information to help plan your trips, just send me an email. Go to my contact page and it is listed there.
Day hike: No overnight camping is allowed inside the permit area.
Trail Map: The Wave Map
Trail Distance: 5.5 miles to the Wave and back. 8 miles round trip from the Wire Pass parking lot to the Wave, Top Rock Arch, alcove, Melody Arch, dinosaur tracks and back.
Average hiking time: 6 hours round-trip to the Wave. 8 hours for the Wave, arches, alcove and dinosaur tracks.
Equipment: Sticky, rubber hiking shoes. A least a gallon of water per person, especially in the hot summer months. A GPS. The BLM supplies a good map to the Wave with each permit. Optional Map: USGS 7.5' Topographical Quads - Arizona-Pine Hollow Canyon and Arizona-Coyote Buttes.
Trail Usage: Limited to 20 people per day in North Coyote Buttes. Dogs are allowed with a permit. (Dogs permits do not use up any of the 20 hiking permits)
Difficulty: Moderate to the Wave and dinosaur tracks. Third class scrambling to the arches and alcove. Good navigation skills are required.
Sun Exposure: Full sun. Dark red rock and sand reflect the sun, amplifying the heat.
Permits: Day use only. Cost is $5 per person. Limited to 6 people in a group. Each group constitutes one permit. No more than 20 individuals will be allowed daily access into this area - 10 from walk-in permits and 10 from submitted applications. Walk-in permits are available by applying in person for next-day hikes. From mid-March to mid-November permits will be issued at the Paria Contact Station. From mid-November to mid-March, the Paria Contact Station is closed and permits are issued at the Kanab Field Office.
White Pockets
The area of White Pocket on the Paria Plateau in Northern Arizona is very close to Coyote Buttes! While many wait their turn to visit the infamous "Wave" in the North Coyote Buttes The "White Pocket" area to the east does not get many visitors. Because of its remoteness you will need 4WD to access the area. The surrealness of the White Pocket area will peak your senses beyond imagination! This area has colors, shapes and textures that are hard to beat, but remember that it is an extremely fragile environment and the utmost care should be taken to preserve this place. I have been out there twice and have another trip planned for the winter of 2009. There is not another place like this and personally, it's rock structure, though completely different, rivals the visual uniqueness of The Wave.
Topo Map: White Pocket Map
Day Hike: Yes
Distance: 4 miles round trip.
Average Hiking Time: 3 hours.
Equipment: Sticky Rubber Hiking Shoes, 3 quarts of water per person, sun protective clothing, Map and compass (GPS optional).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Permits: Not required.
Trailhead: Off Highway 89 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT. South Coyote Buttes Area.
Trail Access: Year-round but if the road is wet or there is melting snow it could be impassable. A 4WD is required.
Best Season: This is a year-round as long as the road is drivable
Directions to White Pocket
From Kanab, drive 40 miles east on Highway 89. The turn onto House Rock Valley Road is located on the south side of the road (right side driving from Kanab). It is located between mile markers 25 and 26, before a sweeping left hand curve in the road, prior to a guard rail protecting the curve. Slow down and turn right just before the guard rail. This north-south running road is House Rock Valley Road. The road soon becomes dirt and may be impassible if wet. Continue past the Wirepass Trailhead (8.4 miles from Highway 89) to the Utah - Arizona state line. This is the border of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah and the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona. Keep driving south for another 8.1 miles past the Wire Pass Trailhead and look for the dirt road that turns left and to Lone Tree Reservoir. At this point there are two options to arrive at Poverty Flat. Poverty Flat is the junction to the east which is necessary to locate to continue further to either Cottonwood Spring (South Coyote Buttes) or White Pocket even further to the east.
Turn left at Lone Tree Reservoir and follow the main, sandy 4WD road to the east for 2.5 miles to the Paw Hole trailhead. Beyond Paw Hole the road becomes even deeper sand and may require tire deflation to prevent becoming stuck. The next 3 miles to the Windmill at Poverty Flat Ranch is deep sand and quite rugged in places. The road will pass through two gates. Close the gates after passing through them.
(Alternative route to the Poverty Flat Ranch and Windmill Intersection: At the Lone Tree Reservoir/ House Rock Valley Road Intersection you may opt to continue another 4 miles to the south on House Rock Valley Road to the road intersection 1017. Turn left (east) on 1017 and then travel 3 miles east to the junction bearing north-east and another 3 miles to Red Pocket. Traveling north-east for another 2.5 miles puts you at the Ranch and Windmill, and the junction to either Cottonwood Spring or White Pocket. This option of driving is longer, but does not require 4WD until after the Windmill.)
Once at the Windmill, travel northeast passing the windmill just on your left and a group of buildings on your right. The road now becomes quite sandy as it ascends a hill, toward a large water tank resting on a knoll 100 yards away. Be sure to keep up momentum and follow this sandy road to the east and then north for 1.8 miles until it arrives at a corral and fence. At this point the road will turn right and follow alongside the fence for a short time and continues east for 2.8 miles and then steers northeast for another 1.5 miles and ends in a very sandy area by a lone juniper tree. This is the parking area and trailhead. "White Pocket" monolith will have been visible during the drive at various times, and at the trailhead/parking area it is just a half mile to the west.
GPS coordinates for White Pocket Parking and Trailhead
36°57.328 N 111°53.734 W