The Wave of Coyote Buttes

The Wave has become a popular attraction in the Coyote Buttes area of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness on the Utah/Arizona border.

The Wave is a multi-colored chute that has been cut into a sandstone mountain. It is beautiful indeed. It makes a great destination for a short, moderately difficult day hike.

Many other features in the Coyote Buttes are equally beautiful and are also worth seeking out. The Coyote Buttes are part of an area under special management by the BLM. Permits are needed to gain access and they must be reserved months in advance. Here's more info.

Swirled bands of color run through the sandstone, which has eroded into interesting shapes. The colors and shapes change with the light as the day progresses. Red, pink, yellow and green rock has been blended together to form castles, beehives, chutes and other structures.

The best hiking conditions are found in spring and fall. Summer temperatures get very hot, sometimes reaching 100 F. Winter nights are cold but days are often mild. Hiking can be pleasant during warm periods in winter.

A group from Utah.com hiked to the Wave in mid-February, 2006, and had a great time. This short video clip shows our hike.

The Wave trailhead is at a place called Wire Pass, which also serves as the trailhead for renowned Buckskin Gulch-one of the world's best long slot canyon hikes.

The Coyote Buttes are on the edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which is a prime area for hiking and auto touring.