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.

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.

The Wave photo gallery

White Pockets

The area of White Pocket on the Paria Plateau in Northern Arizona is very impressive indeed! While many are lured and wait their turn to visit the infamous "Wave" in the North Coyote Buttes, the "White Pocket" area to the east is seldom visited. Maybe because of its remoteness or the requirement of 4WD to access the area. The impressive White Pocket will fill the senses beyond imagination! The drive to the swirling, twisted, multicolored natural artwork is an adventure in its own right, and the exploration by foot is endless. Whether spending just a couple of hours or an entire weekend, "White Pocket" will surely become "top of the top" in the list of special places. 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. Tread lightly and make it a point to see if you can leave the area without anyone ever having known that you were there. Stay on the slickrock when possible, but be careful not to snap off thin fins and don't trample the delicate vegetation between the small mounds of beautiful stone. This area should, and can be, saved for any and all that visit in the future.

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

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.

There is no formal trail established, but it will soon be evident that wandering and exploring is the main fare. Immediately from arriving, and walking toward "White Pocket" the slickrock formations will lure and amaze with the unique colors and texture. Take time to look over the extensive formations and then maybe drop down into the valley below and head for a circumnavigation of the "White Pocket" monolith to the west? There is much to see, but remember to tread lightly and preserve the landscape as you found it.