the wave at coyote buttes

一生一定要去的地方 so beautiful. From the parking lot to the Wave. You have to hike 1.5 hour to 2 hours. But when you enter the wave. You will feel worth it.

The Wave at Coyote Buttes以波浪形的砂岩纹路闻名，亲身经历了抽签全过程，虽然没中还是觉得蛮有趣的。每天只发20个permit，其中10个提前四个月上网申请，另外 10个就在Kanab镇的information center当场抽取。每个组填写好表格，工作人员会介绍徒步的注意事项，并说明环境险恶，千万量力而行。被说得我都抖划，犹豫要不要去了... 每张申请表最多填写6人一个Team，按team抽取的，同时也按人数来，满人数了，哪怕是一个team，也只能取舍。我们当时最后一组只有2个名额，但是一个4人的team，结果4人只好“黑白配”来取舍哪2人去哪2人留下。那幢不起眼的小平房就是抽签处 全称是Archaeolgy and Geology Exhibits Visitor Information Displays在前台等待9点抽签开始 印第安人在这片原始土地上的生活 抽签开始，每个小木球代表一个team，在小铁笼子里翻滚，掉出来的那个球号就是中签的组号！

Utterly beautiful and stunning. The lottery thing they have is definitely a good idea. I can't imagine enjoying it with crowds of people hogging up all the space. DEFINITELY BRING SUN SCREEN. ANYTIME OF THE YEAR. I went in late February with temperatures barely reaching 50 and I got a nasty sunburn on my face and neck. There's almost no shade anywhere. This is a strenuous hike, take your time and bring LOTS OF WATER. Going to The Wave wasn't so bad, returning can be confusing. I went with a tour guide (I highly recommend this option) and I saw how, halfway back to the parking lot, I could've gotten lost. I don't see why people want to go in the summer. The sun is intense and I stripped down to a t-shirt... In February. I can't imagine how it is in August. That being said, it's worth all the risks, just be smart and enjoy one of nature's gifts.

This place is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Photos do not do it justice. It took 3 days to get a permit and it was well worth it

Good luck getting a lottery spot. If you are so lucky, have a great hike.We did this on a day when we started from the parking lot, checking the temperature to be 25 degrees. With more than a gallon per person, I was glad for the amount of water we carried. In the summer I would want even more.

As those who research know very well, the "Wave" is really amazing and like nothing else in the whole world. But, what you may know until you go is how difficult it is to actually get there. The impossibilities not only start with the first step of trying to get a permit. But, you are really feel the pain when trying to maneuver through a rough landscape where everything looks alike. Furthermore, you may have underestimated the amount of fluids, food or clothing you need. We called Grand Circle Tours and got a guide named Yermo Welsh. He was generous enough to show us not only the Wave but comment on other landmarks in North Coyote Buttes, share Native American History and point out interesting objects on the way. Furthermore, he helped carry my little child (when she was too tired to walk), brought extra food (lunch is part of the fee), took some nice pictures of us and the landscape; and worked with out tight schedule (as we had long drive back that day). In essence, he kept us safe and ensured we had a good time. It was well worth the money. The Company is Vermillion Cliffs Day Tours and guide email is yermoap@gmail.com. See some pics of our good time.

We were very lucky to have won the lottery for a permit to the WAVE on Jan. 7, 2015. First, it was an amazing place to be and to see! Second, Tiffany who is from nationalparktourz.com is a wonderful hiking guide! Despite the hash hiking condition, she did lead us to the WAVE and many other magnificent places in the area. We had great time! There is no word to describe the beauty of the WAVE! (Mathematics professors, you should teach your first Calculus III class at the WAVE!)

I won my permit through the online application and went through via wire pass. The hike one way is around 2 hours, but can take longer if you're a photo bug. To get to the trail, you have to drive a dirt road 11+ miles. Use caution/judgement as the road can be difficult when wet. I went while it was a mix snow weather condition in a Kia sorento with AWD, and managed well doing 25 and treating the road like snow condition. The trail to the wave is a set of pictures, coordinates, and navigation directions. The photos are well detailed enough that navigating isn't too hard, but getting back over the saddle on the return trip I was off by a few hundred feet. When in doubt, try following the heavy foot traffic, on average 20 people do this every day. The hike itself is moderate, do not try if you have no real experience mountain hiking, use extra caution if rocks are wet.The wave itself is beautiful. I easily spent 3 hours roaming around enjoying the sights. I went in December, so 64oz of water was more than sufficient. I would reccomed taking the water amount reccomandations the papers provide seriously in the warmer months as water is not available near here.If you get a permit for this, go and do it but do not go in unprepared. It is a wonderful hike and site to see if you are lucky enough to do it. I hope to do it again in the future.

We were lucky enough to get drawn on our 2nd (and final) day the direction consist if 6 photos with 3-4 lines of description each guiding you in and 6 more guiding you out. But the fact that only 20 people per day are permitted makes this a very special place. I only hope for future visitors this place stays this restricted and doesn't turn into another Upper Antelope Canyon

Consider ourselves very lucky to have won the lottery for a permit to the wave. It was a total of a 3 hour hike in and out of the wave (6.4 miles). Unlike most permit holders, we spent 3 hours enjoying the wave. Most of the people with permits the day we went, started out on the one day adventure early in the day (around 7am) but they headed back after only spending a very short time at the ‘wave’ location itself. We had a quieter, less distracted view of the wave once most people started their return hike back to their cars. This also meant our hike back to the car was not in the usual heat of the day but later in the afternoon. Absolutely amazing! Area around the “wave location” is quite spectacular itself so venture around if you are lucky enough to obtain a permit

Just returned from my 3-day trip where I visited "the Wave." Amazing place to say the least. If you've never been there, let me break down to you how the process works. First, you'll need to get a permit to enter the trail and there are 2 different ways to get that permit: 1) enter an online lottery that's held once per month (for a date that's 4-months out) OR 2) physically show up at their Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah, for a chance to win a permit via a lottery for the next-day entry. Either way, it's a huge crapshoot whether you win it or not, good luck!!http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain/paria/coyote_buttes/permits.htmlOnce you get your permit, you'll drive out to the parking lot via a dirt road (about an 1 hr 10 min from Kanab), leave your permit on the dashboard, and hike an UNMARKED trail from the parking lot about 4-5 miles to "the Wave." You are provided with a map how to get there but it's fairly easy to get lost right at the very end of the trail so pay close attention to landmarks around you (especially on the way back so you can return safely!). One thing that most people didn't mention on Yelp yet, is the hike ITSELF to the Wave is absolutely STUNNING. In a way, the journey to the Wave is better than the Wave itself. I mean, it is THAT good of a scenic hike. I am a frequent hiker and I was blown away by the trail's beauty. The Wave itself is stunning too, albeit it's rather small comparing to what I imagined it would be.Some tips to consider:Go EARLY to beat the heat!! Leave by 7am so you can get to the parking lot by 8am and get to the Wave around 10-11am. Remember, you still have to come back too and it gets unbearably hot there. Also, bring multiple layers of clothing (we got caught in a nasty rainstorm on the way back so rain jacket is a must), drive a 4x4 car because the trail to the parking lot in a rainstom gets completely muddy and you won't be able to leave (we got stuck in a mud a few times!!), bring TONS of water with you, plus some snacks for energy boost), bring a backpack to carry all of your stuff AND good hiking shoes (not tennis shoes) because you'll be hiking a total of 8-10 miles, depending how fast or slow you get there. Overall, hiking to the Wave and back was the best hike of my life. Not even kidding. You WILL love it. It is THAT good.P.S. Finally, I do NOT recommend this, but... I never saw anybody checking my permit while parking my car OR hiking so.... I'm sure SOME people hike to the Wave REGARDLESS whether they get this ridiculously "hard-to-get" permit or not. Granted, you need to know how to find "the Wave" because it's a maze out there and very easy to get lost, especially if it's your first time there. Just an FYI.

A very beautiful place to visit, but you will have to prepare for the following:- This is a backcountry hike. No facilities, no surveillance. You will need to bring anything you need during a normal hike and emergency supplies as well. Most of all: lots and lots of water.- Reaching the parking lot where the hike starts can be challenging as well. During the summer, flash floods often take out the entire road, and you will need a 4x4 to go there.- There is no shade anywhere along the path, other than a few large rocks. Go as early in the morning as you can.- You will need to win the permit lottery at the visiting center to go here, or get your permit a few months in advance (which might be even harder, given the daily limit).- Prepare for a moderately strenuous hike. No tough climbing but some elevation changes, sandy paths etc.

For some reason I've been pretty lucky about getting a permit for the wave since i've done this hike twice. Now they recommend an early start to the hike and the reason is to beat the heat if its done during the summer there is no shade at all. There are cairns along the way, but I would not depend on those you are better off studying the photos of landmarks that the BLM has for the hike. Now as to the beauty of this site it is fantastic, but I've also been to south coyote buttes and the variations in the stone formations is far more interesting when compared to what you will find in the wave.

I felt like I was on the planet in a Avatar sequel. After seeing many iconic pictures of this place, I thought it would be one of those, "it's more scenic in a photograph." But, this is the only place on earth where a picture cannot paint the colors, lines, and curves. I visited in June and since only a few were bidding for passes, I needed little luck to get my permit. Some members of my group removed their shoes upon entering the wave. Since the sandstone features are formed by wind, they are very delicate. Be prepared for six total miles of desert hiking.There is not another place like this on earth. It should not be of this world.

For starters...the permit system requires patience. There is clearly a reason why the BLM is so restrictive is access to the Wave. I drew a permit on my 4th try.The Wave is awesome. I did this in June of 2014. This is how I did it...not a recommendation...I'm just sharing my experience. As a long distance runner, I opted to wear running shoes. I was on the trail by 7:15 am to avoid the heat. I brought 1.5 liters of water, one package of Gu Gel (mandarin flavor), two 12 once bottles of Gatorade and one small bag of beef jerky. I consumed everything but my second bottle of Gatorade. I felt great afterwards. I highly recommend...sunglasses, an extra pair of socks, chap stick, sun screen and a hat.If you are a solo hiker, you CAN get an outfitter to guide you. The BLM has pre-approved outfitters who are already permitted so you only have to draw a permit for yourself.