Linda's Lake Powell Condos

Re: Coyotte Buttes/The Wave

by ejagape

Hi there,
It is not easy to get a permit. I'm sure you've already looked online at the park service website and seen that advance permits are already filled through November.
Basically, you have to be out at Paria at the ranger station at 8 a.m. Everyone puts their name in and they draw out numbers. I think when we went last week there were 32 numbers put in. If your number gets drawn, you can go THE NEXT DAY.
It is also a 3 mile hike just to get to the Waves, over sand and rocks. I think it's definitely doable, just as long as you know what you're in for and are considering the temperatures, the sun, the elevation if you're not used to it, etc.
I think you could go out one morning and see if you get lucky on the draw, and if you don't, then do the Toadstool Hike, and possibly go down House Rock Valley and do a hike out there. They are both wonderful places to hike and you wouldn't "lose out" on a day at all if you ended up hiking there. In House Rock, I suggest Wire Pass ($5 pay at the box). It has some neat slot canyons, and a bit of scrambling (3-6 foot drops) to hike on in. There are some pictographs down where the river T's out, and you can choose which direction to go from there. It's certainly a nice hike--about 1/2 mile to get into the narrows, though, just as an fyi.
And, you could also try Waterholes, which is my personal favorite near Page. See the forum post below for more info.
Any of these would be good concessions if you aren't able to get drawn to hike the Wave.
Enjoy!
Erin