This morning found us at the BLM office YET AGAIN. This would be our last time here to apply for the lottery. There were 57 applications for 133 people for The Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) today. YET AGAIN we did not win the lottery for The Wave.
Since we already had our permit to hike Coyote Buttes South today, off we went in that direction. Tim drove us 45 minutes east, out on Hwy 89 to our dirt road turnoff ... House Rock Valley Road. Then we drove just 16 miles on this rough dirt washboard road to the next turnoff. There are three undeveloped access points to get there.
After we crossed the border from Utah into Arizona our next turn off was #1079. #1079 is only accessible by 4x4 and is basically a roller coaster trip through the desert in deep sand. The BLM office warned us and we were prepared for everything except if another vehicle came at us in the opposite direction. For #1079 is a one lane sandy path with only a couple of pull offs over the course of the next 2.5 miles. And no stopping or we will get stuck!
After Mr. Toad’s wild ride we finally landed at the Paw Hole trail head for Coyote South Buttes! Here there are no trails. You just pick a direction and go. And go. Basically you just wander around. I kept thinking about my forearm ink ... ‘Not all those who wander are lost!’ There were so many cool rock formations. Cliffs. Cactus. Sage. Sand. So much to take in!
We had a great hike out there! Coyote South Buttes has some of the most visually striking geologic sandstone formations in the world. And we realize how fortunate we were to have had the opportunity to go. It only makes us want to return for another try at The Wave!
A (paved) road trip is in order for tomorrow to a destination we have been before. It will be on an even ‘grander’ scale.
Our day ended with the most spectacular sunset!
Today’s quote -
‘Life keeps moving, and to try to stay still is like trying to hold grains of sand in your hand.’ - Linda Cardellini
No comments:
Post a Comment