INFORMATION
The Wave is a sandstone rock formation located in Arizona, United States. The formation is situated on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. The formation is known among hikers and photographers for its colorful, undulating forms and the difficult hike required to reach it. Due to the fragile nature of the formation and the large number of people wishing to visit it, a daily lottery system is used to dispense only ten next–day permits in person at the Kanab visitor center.
The Wave is located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Arizona Strip. It can be difficult to get a permit to see the Wave. During April, May, September, October there can be over 150 people applying for the ten daily permits. There are people who was lost overnight in Coyote Buttes South, so use a GPS, mark the trailhead, and stay with your party.
GEOLOGY
The Wave consists of intersecting U-shaped troughs that have been eroded into Navajo Sandstone of Jurassic age. The two major troughs which comprise this rock formation are 19 m wide by 36 m long and 2 m wide by 16 m long. The Wave exposes large-scale sets of cross-bedded sandstone composed of rhythmic and cyclic. The rhythmic and cyclic alternating laminae represent periodic changes in the prevailing winds during the Jurassic period as large sand dunes migrated across a sandy desert.
In some areas the Wave exposes deformed laminae within the Navajo Sandstone. Dinosaur tracks and the fossil burrows of desert-dwelling arthropods, such as beetles and other insects, have been found in the Navajo Sandstone within the North Coyote Buttes Wilderness Area.
ACCESS
There are four trailheads which provide access to Paria Canyon and the Wave. However there are no formal trails or signage to guide hikers to the Wave from any of the trailheads.
After passing the sign to the Coyote Buttes North Area, you will stay to the right (the left goes down to Buckskin Gulch) and you soon find yourself hiking along this sandy/desert terrain.
The White House trailhead is the main entrance, and the one most commonly used. The Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass trailheads offer more experienced hikers access to Buckskin Gulch, the main tributary of Paria Canyon.
Temperatures in this area typically climb above 38 °C in the summer, so it is best to start the hike early. Anyone attempting the hike in any season is wise to be prepared for harsh desert conditions, including fierce winds, blowing sand, and little shade.
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDED GEAR FOR HIKING THE WAVE:
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