The Paria Plateau (now a National Monument) is a vast wilderness area of more than 112,000 acres that straddles the border between Utah and Arizona. Formed under the sea millions of years ago and raised by the awesome power of tectonic plate activity, starting around 185 million years ago. Water and wind erosion fine tuned much of it into intricate, colorful shapes that are scarcely describable. North Coyote Buttes is a small part of the plateau, but is a major attraction because of one formation. Known to few people until the 1980s, photos by a few photographers began to hit the internet, spreading awareness of the main feature, known as The Wave.
The Bureau of Land Management set up a permit system to limit the number of visitors to the fragile landscape, an on-line lottery (four months in advance) and a walk-in lottery (day before), each permitting ten visitors per day. The day I went in, there were no other applicants. More recently, due to growing awareness and popularity, as many as 600 people have tried for the walk-in lottery. More than 200,000 apply each year for both lotteries. Roughly 2% of applicants now win a permit. It's safe to say The Wave is a "bucket list" item for millions of people.
The hike is about 6.4 miles round trip following the directions that come with a permit. BLM describes it as strenuous, but I would call it moderate except in the summer. People have died of heat stroke in 100F temps. There was also the case of a couple who stayed until dark, then tragically walked off a cliff after getting lost. There is no trail, but a permit includes photos of key landmarks. GPS waypoints are provided, but I didn't have a GPS. Also, seeing such a large area of colorful formations led me to wander about, where I met a fellow photographer doing the same type of exploring.
The adventure starts on House Rock Valley Road, a rough track that can be treacherous when wet. I followed a yellow Xterra and saw it sliding around, as the road was wet from recent snow. Sliding off that road would be disastrous, as there is a drop off that would surely flip your vehicle. The road runs alongside the Cockscomb monocline, so there is pretty scenery to distract one.
The hike starts up a sandy wash but soon departs to climb a steep sand hill. Once on the plateau, one can see for miles and get an appreciation of the most rugged and desolate country one might ever see.
After roaming for a couple hours, I came upon a sandy wash that I knew had to be crossed, so I followed it toward the Cockscomb until I encountered lots of foot prints crossing. I then climbed up the steep sandstone that would take me to The Wave.
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