The Wave, more formally known as Coyote Buttes North in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, is a truly astonishing place with some of the most visually striking geologic sandstone formations in the world. To preserve the wilderness character and limit damage to the fragile area, the Bureau of Land Management limits visitation to Coyote Buttes through a permit system. Only a handful of permits are issued for each day through a lottery. Half the permits through a lottery done four months in advance, the rest through a lottery two-days in advance. I have tried for 11 years to win a permit and on what was probably going to be my last try I finally secured a permit this October. Was it worth the wait and effort? ….. Absolutely! 

Check out the video I quickly put together of my hike and look for an entire gallery of photos from the Wave coming soon.