Hiking the Wave in Arizona - Coyote Buttes North - What to expect and what to see
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- čas přidán 4. 02. 2020
- Hiking the Wave in Arizona - Coyote Buttes North - What to expect and what to see
After over a year of trying, we finally got permits to hike the Wave in Coyote Buttes North, northern Arizona. This is considered a bucket list hike by many, and now that I’ve done it, I see why. It’s days after the hike and I’m still psyched. You can see it on our faces and hear it in our voices on the video. The place is amazing.
Sure, the permits are hard to get. It was frustrating and I had pretty much lost all hope of ever getting them. I’ll make a separate video explaining the Wave permit process, tell the story of how we got our permits and give advice on how you can increase your odds to get your own.
But that’s for another day. This video is all about the Wave. It’s so incredible I was at a loss for words to explain it. Luckily, the video can do the talking for me. We had the place to ourselves for a while and it’s an experience I won’t forget.
But that’s not all. We then climbed the cliffs behind the Wave to see more.
First was Top Rock Arch. You can see it from the Wave, but it’s several hundred feet up the cliff. If you walk out onto the ridgeline above the arch, you will eventually reach it. You can climb down the side of the ridge from right on top of the arch to get down to it. (It helps to have someone off to the side to spot it for you; you can’t see it when you’re walking the ridgeline to it.) It offers a great view of the Wave below.
Then it was on to the Alcove. The Alcove is a hollowed out, round chamber high on the mountain behind the wave. It has beautiful textures and colors in the rock face, surrounding a large sand dune. You can see from the patterns of the rock and sand exactly how it was formed by wind swirling around over centuries.
A short hike later and it’s on to Melody Arch. Melody Arch is situated in another alcove. But instead of sand in the center, there is a mound of rock. And since all of that wasn’t enough, there’s a large window cut out of the alcove wall that offers great views of the landscape hundreds of feet below. This was a highlight for me, which is obvious from my reaction in the video. I sound and look like a little kid on Christmas morning.
We then climbed back down and checked out a wash that looked interesting from above. I haven’t seen anything on it online (or at the welcome center), but it did not disappoint either. A short, gorgeous slot canyon with dark red walls and light stripes, it was a nice bonus at the end of our trip. (NOTE: Never climb down something you can’t climb up in a canyon you are unfamiliar with. You can get trapped.)
Then it was back to the car and home.
This was my favorite day hike ever. I’m still smiling just thinking about the hike. I hate the term ‘bucket list’, but the Wave is the definition of bucket list.
I hope you enjoy the video and best of luck getting permits.
And yes, I’m already trying for permits again.
Leave Wire Pass Trail: 37.01999, -112.01715
The Wave: 36.99610, -112.00622
Second Wave: 36.99345, -112.00809
Top Rock Arch: 36.99376, -112.00510
The Alcove: 36.99221, -112.00586
Melody Arch: 36.99110, -112.00542
Another great source for hiking the Wave, including some stuff we didn’t see on our trip: Dana Hollister’s video:
• The Wave How To Hike A...
Wow! I hiked to The Wave in the mid-90's before there were markings, before permits, before digital cameras, even before it had a name! I had to beg a Bureau of Land Management worker to tell me where it was because I had heard of this amazing frozen dune. I had no idea the arches or anything else was there. Now I want to go back. Thank you for this!
You're welcome! Absolutely recommend looking into what else is around there. Melody Arch was just as enjoyable as the wave for me.
68yo and going in April. Thanks! This gives me a clear picture of what to expect. Biggest concern is the sun and keeping up with my small group!
Maybe I'll see you there! Not a really difficult hike and not hard to follow. But worth it, for sure. Hope you enjoy.
Absolutely amazing!
Wow 🤩 this Breathtaking !!! Thank you for sharing this to us
Great stuff. Keep em coming.
Very well at articulating and showing all of a trip not just the destination. Preciate y’all. Over here in Yuma, thinkin about going to Sedona to hike soon. These videos are motivating
Thanks Guys for such amazing video! I really like how you explain everything. Keeping it simple and sincere!. Happy and Safe trails and Conyonneer Exploration!.
I'm so glad I found your channel!
The Wave!! Amazing!
I am so jealous of you!
It's top of my bucket list.
I have seen many videos of it but yours has to be my favourite. Thank you for taking me along 😲👍😍
Wow !!! Thank you so much for your amazing video. I truly enjoyed it. 💗
Wow! That was amazing! I look forward to seeing that someday soon. Thanks for the video, it was both entertaining and informative!
We are eternally grateful to you for these recordings. We are now too old to do such tours, but your pictures give us the opportunity to recreate your experiences.
The technical quality of your recordings is great!
Thank you for sharing!
Greetings from Germany!
Thanks! Glad to take you along.
Thank you guys. Good job including navigation guides.
Very well done - perfectly captures the Wave. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent video, Jerry. Thank you! You guys are fun together, new subscriber.
I cannot think of anything to say apart from stunningly stunning area..
Wow wow wow wow wow wow ..
Brilliantly Brilliant and Amazingly Amazing..Even Fantastically Fantastic..
Thanks guys, the best video I've seen of the wave....EVER.
Just beautiful thank you Jerry and Tina what a splendid journey!
Really beautiful place! Those rock formations are awesome. Thanks for sharing
Beautiful!
Wow! what a beautiful place!
Happy to find your channel, I love Dana Hollister ‘s videos too. Awesome video Mr. & Mrs Arizona. Dreamin’!
Enjoyed the show. Like you, we finally got the permit in 2009 after 6 tries in almost 2 years... yes, we had a great time.
Excellent video!! Well done editing!, Thank you for sharing. I would not be comfortable hiking since no markers etc. it’s cool you did it! Congrats to you and your wife!!.
Amazing!!! Thank you!!!
Straight up, thanks for taking the time to edit and make these videos. They’re kick ass 🤘🏽 no joke
Glad you like them! I absolutely love hiking, filming and editing, so it works out pretty well.
Absolutely beautiful! Great video :)
Without a doubt the best information on The Wave online!! Great job. Thank you for posting video of the TRAIL!!
We were so amazed by this trip. And the hike is beautiful! I don't know why no one mentions it. The entire experience was great.
I thought “WOW, how stunning “ a second before you did! Thank you for sharing the beauty & your joy. Love you authenticity. ☹️😃😀
You got a love Arizona!
That was so great thank you so much. What I really appreciated was that you said you went Feb1st. People have been telling me its too cold then and I tell them you are not used to open desert hiking. The sun will change everything. Thanks again. You guys are cute together :)
Absolutely incredible. I’ve never seen formations like that! What beautiful country in that area. Thanks for taking us along. 👍
It is unbelievable country in that area. Insanely enough, the trailhead to the Wave is also the trailhead to Buckskin Gulch, which is one of my favorite places on earth. So much to see in such a small area, and it's all so diverse.
This spot is majestic
Nice video. My first experience there, I was there to backpack down Buckskin Gulch, but the weather report was for possible rain. So I decided to backpack out in the desert going up a crack in the Wire Pass slot. I ended up hiking out into the desert not knowing a place called "The Wave" existed. I camped on the white butte across the wash or drainage from the Wave. In the morning I saw two people out in the valley below me. So I packed up my stuff and went out to where they were heading. When I got there (at the wave) the guy started yelling at me telling me it was permit only and he had all the permits for the day (back then you could do that). I told him I did not know about the permits, and asked him where it was that I was. He said the Wave. His wife gave me a roll of slide film because I had already used all my film on all the other great stuff, and that was the best roll of film I ever shot (before digital cameras). I latter returned with permits a few more times.
Bucket list hike for sure!
Really awesome..! Thank you for sharing your awesome blogging
Wowza!
We did won the in person lottery in mid-October. Once in a lifetime experience we will cherish forever.
We relied solely on the one page instructions given to us, the few signs and footprints. So awesome to relive the beauty, thanks for sharing!
It’s on my list. Applied 3 times for a permit. Going to keep trying.
Found your video the day before we hiked The Wave. Excellent video and your commentary was spot on. Thanks for the GPS coordinates. Thanks to you we visited the Dune and Melody Arch - both awesome and worth the effort.
It's an amazing experience with just the wave. But when you add in the other stuff.....still my favorite day hike.
That’s a beautiful view.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Some of us don’t have the funds or not in good shape 😂😂 to do something like this. Very beautiful.
Oh my goodness!!!!
I almost started to cry. That was amazing. I am definitely doing my homework and planning well for that trip. Thank you
Good luck! It’s absolutely amazing and a short and beautiful hike. But the permits are really hard to get. If you luck out, also think about checking out Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch. Actually the same trailhead and one of my favorite hikes. White Pocket is another one in the area that is amazing.
🤗THANKS A MILLION FOR THE TOUR 🤯 BEAUTIFUL 🤩 AND THE ENTERTAINMENT 😂😍😍😍
Fantastic video. I live in AZ and this is a bucket list hike for me... some day...
Great video! This is now in my bucket list of hikes near Arizona
Absolutely beautiful
I was lucky enough to hike this today! Very cool experience unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
It's absolutely amazing.
I really need a geologist to explain how exactly the wave was created. It's so beautiful it almost seems man made, but at the same time I don't think a human would be capable of creating something so exquisite.
Same here. I know so little about that type of thing. I'm pretty sure there was some wind involved though. If you look at the grotto or melody arch alcove, you can just see how wind (or possibly water) got in there and just spun around and carved the rock into a circle with sand in the middle.
I’m no geologist but I think the different stripes are the different layers of rock that have been worn away by wind over millions of years.
Again I could be wrong but that’s my prediction
It's all God's beautiful creations!
So beautiful
That was great !
Fabulous! Outstanding formations & I thank you for your planning and legwork. (I just don't understand the need for face-time)
I do thank you for the gorgeous video!
Beautiful place to see
Amazing view 😍
We hiked the Wave 2 years ago. Best hike yet. Don't forget the water, you'll definitely want it.
It gets hot, but worth every minute of it.
Again a great video, it is so realistic and i could remember the whole trail you filmed. We were so lucky to hike to the wave in 2008 and for a second time in 2011. In 2008 we lost the path, but we managed to find it again and we were so exited to see all the wonders there, but we did not see enough. In 2011 we managed everythin fine and went also to Top Rock drinking a small glas of champain (my husband brought as a surprise for me) but we did not find the Melody Arch. So maybe we should try again. In germany we say: all the good things are three. Thank you so much, i enjoy your videos a lot and i love Tinas voice 🙂
All around excellent video. One of the best out there for The Wave. Some really great shots in this video and enjoyed the commentary as well. I also liked that it wasn’t a how-to video and that you left some mystery to this place.
I’ve watched this before but I had to watch it again after I finally got to experience this place. Finally broke my unlucky streak and won the online lottery, been trying routinely since 2016/2017. However, I was so worried about this hike because our drawing was for mid-August. We did not luck out and have a cool(ish) or cloudy day. Nope high 90s and not a cloud in sight. We hiked out before sunrise and had a set departure time around 10:30 am. It worked out pretty well but that hike back was still blazing. I did buy reflective hiking umbrellas for this hike and they were pretty invaluable.
As for The Wave itself. It lived up to the hype and then some. The hike was absolutely stunning too and the whole area around The Wave was amazing. Just an incredible and magical place. We skipped Top Rock Arch due to time constraints but we did make it to Melody Arch and The Alcove. Both amazing and definitely worth the extra effort. I didn’t find the trek to the top sketchy but did loose our line down for a hot minute.
Final thought. For as a difficult as it is to get this permit, I am thankful it is in-place. I can only image how overrun this place would be without a permit system and likely ruined because of people carving graffiti into the sandstone.
August is brutal out there, but you go when you get the permit when it comes to the wave. And I agree 100%. The permit system is difficult to deal with, but it keeps this place special, so I'm all for it.
Wow another beautiful destination and hiking video, looks like a blast there, the no footprints trail part following signs is a bit of hhmmmm….
Hey, please don't worry about the names of places, it comes with the territory. Like my dad says, "the second shortest thing I have is a memory!" As long as you take me along with you seeing as how my knees and legs just won't let me get out on many of these trails, all will be well. This looks incredible and I truly do thank you for letting me join you. Be safe and may the sun always shine strong and the wind be at your back. Always, Andy
So…I’m guessing the first shortest thing is…
Nice video. Thanks
The wave and kalalau trail best hikes I've ever done...buckskin gulch next to the wave is great as well...and the hike to and back and around is no joke
Dan Geshrick I completely agree. My favorite backpacking trip ever; Kalalau. My second favorite backpacking trip ever; buckskin gulch. Favorite day hike; the wave. Heading back to buckskin for round three soon.
Loved the video!
"Glad I got it on tape " . . !!! Lol . Can relate :-)
It makes me sad and proud, simultaneously....
Best wave video for sure!!! Loved it!
Awesome! When I go to the red rock areas, I take my shoes off. No slipping that way.
That's what we love to do! Get out of bed before everyone else does. 😁 Love your editing style. 👍💪 Cool window arch. 🔥 Congratulations on your lottery win. 🎉 Great hike and video. What made this hike tough besides the route finding? It looked relatively easy. 🤔 Subscribed. I hope our hiking channels grow together on CZcams! 🤞😉
I just want to say thank you. As arizona was once under water, i did not realise this place existed. It's like moab but 10 times better. I love arizona.
I absolutely LOVE Arizona.....But also Utah. And Colorado....I guess I just love nature.
Catching up on some of your older stuff. We've tried to get permits. Saw the north rim of the Grand Canyon instead. It's really beautiful. I think we'll try again. Great hike. I really like Melody arch.
It's sooooo difficult. I've been trying for years for the online permit and no luck. It's definitely better in person. They have a new system in place so you can apply for the in person on your phone; you have to be close to Kanab/Page, but at least you don't waste your entire morning at the lottery itself. Best of luck to you.
I've seen plenty of pictures but have never been there. Seeing your video with all of the other surrounding things leaves you almost speechless.
I skipped it for years thinking it was a photo op. I really only got obsessed because of how hard the permits were and I wanted to be able to get one just because....Then we went and it was mind blowing. Impossible to describe. Probably my favorite day hike ever.
@@JerryArizona I'd have to say that the "other things" in the video are more impressive than the part everyone takes a photo of. I'm jealous. I don't think my wife would be up to the hike, but I'd love to go now after seeing your video. Like you, I've always thought it was a "phot op" just because everyone posts pictures of the exact same thing. Love the videos, especially the Arizona ones since I live here. Keep it up!
Great video! The Wave is on my top 5 natural wonders I want to see in this world. Hopefully someday I get the chance to.
Toughest permits I've ever gotten....Actually, I've never gotten them. My wife has won the in person lottery twice though. Hope you get lucky. It's an awesome place.
Awesome video great work guys! Im putting in for the lottery this year,fingers crossed!
Good luck! Just got back from there on a second trip. Check out my video on the (current) permit process. It's such an incredible area, but so hard to get permits.
Came across your channel...good stuff👍😀
As an az native, thank you 🤘
Amazing! I just applied and hope to get in but I guess its hard. Looks amazing though!
Amazing footage 🤩
lovely
Hi again and PS...thanks for showing the hike up to top arch...I have to confess I didn't get up there...I didn't think I would get a wave permit so prior to that day I hike nine days in a row ...including angels landing, buckskin, other Zion, Bryce, white pocket, White House etc and having come out there from sea level was quite beat...but now after watching your video I need to get back there! 😉
The window/alcove/melody arch area was a definite high point of that trip. I'm really glad we got to see everything we did. If I could do it over, I would want to check out Big Mac and the Boneyard....I think there are some dinosaur tracks there somewhere too.
The Lord made a beautiful beautiful world for us to enjoy. How amazing is that place?! Wish I could see it in person. Thank you Lord for for all you have given us to enjoy in our short time on earth.
The Lord thy God has nothing to do with it. Evolution of time and space out of an atom burst creating the universe
@G. J. M. so agree.
Now you see I personally enjoy allowing myself to get lost in a place I've never been and then challenging myself to find my way back out.... However the older I get I am finding that I enjoy knowing at least a little bit of where I'm at as I go
Really like the speed up feature at the end looks cool
Great photography..we were there in 2005 with Orlando camera club. It got dark and I was separated from the group. Fortunately I left bread crumbs…LOL. We only had two hours and my old low res video camera… with short recording batteries…
Thank you ,Lester and Suzette Housel
This trip was a rare occassion where I was able to take my mirrorless Canon EOSR and a gimbal along for the ride. Usually the trails are too rugged. Even here, I had to break out the GoPro in spots. But still, glad you got to experience it....and were able to find your way back!
Espectaculaaaaaar
Beautifully shot and edited
Epic!!
It really is. Honestly, I avoided this place for years thinking it was just a photo op hike, but there's so much to see. Probably my favorite day hike.
Nice video.
Cool movie!
I had to learn this mountain in darn history
Remarkable beauty, thank you. Not like hiking the McDowell Mountains here near Scottsdale.
Hit up the Superstitions! Probably my favorite spot here locally. I do need to hike more in the McDowells though.
Great video!!
Just getting started with our channel
Went in 2007. it was truly one of the best places I’ve ever been.
For those permit holders who would find that scaling of the cliff/slope up to Melody Arch and the Sand Alcove overly daunting, as shown in this video.......If you circle around to the east of that plateau there is an comparatively easy walk up approach. It takes more time but much less stress......and is, of course, beautiful. I made it over to those teepees to the east once. Not sure I would do that again (Deep sand) but it was still interesting.
Big Mac is around that side too. So much to see out there....
Fantastic ! :-)
Ha! Excellent! You got it!!! So happy for you! AND passing 1K Subs! You are on fire!!
Three trips to Kanab, but we got it. It was absolutely incredible.
Congrats on winning the lottery! I'm 0 - 5 on my attempts. Beautiful video and glad you showed off the arches and all the rest that the wave has to offer.
I think we tried for a year or a year and a half? I'm working on a video now that explains the permit system and ways to increase your odds. Short story is the in person lottery is the way to go.
Just came across you video - it's really well made. What struck me is that I won the lottery (in person, after 6 years of trying online), on 02/01/19... exactly a year before you. So strange. :-)
Crazy. Hard permit to get - toughest I've ever done - but it's worth it.
Jerry Arizona what month did u go in?
Wow! I went there before it was an area you had to have a permit for. It wasn't even a destination. I didn't get all the way in, like you did. There were no posts. I remember getting to the first top and looking back at the
Parking lot and taking a compass reading, so I would know how to get back.
Must've been amazing back in the day when you didn't have to wake up at 3AM to beat the crowds to see it. Glad they have the permit system in place to protect it, even though it is a pain in the behind.
Loyyery? GPS? Ugh! I have eagle eyes and a great sense of direction..old hiker but too old to take chances, damn! Thanks, your video was awesome! Created by a large,plasma ball in history maybe?
Hello To You Dear New Friend 🎈
❤❤❤❤Really Enjoyed Your Video ❤❤❤❤
Wish You All The Best From California
As a European looking at the land of the free i really freak out when i see signs saying "Permit Required beyond this point", that's not freedom that's ridiculous , the earth does not belong to permit writing fools it belongs to all humans to trod on whenever and where ever they please, period ... Anyway love your walks into the Permit-ion required places i will never go
AWESOME! When was it you went? I'm actually going in just over a week. Praying for good weather. I've got the route loaded on Gaia GPS app. Also thank you for covering the way there I'm even more excited.
We just went 2/1. I think it was supposed to snow 2/3, but as long as it isn't snowing or raining, the weather should be perfect for you. Enjoy.
God is awesome