IntrepidXJ
Explorer
New Year's Day | Thursday, January 1, 2015
Welcome to my first trip report of 2015, and what an adventure it was! This was a fun trip report to write, not because the photos are necessarily great, but because it was a fun day in unique conditions. This may have been my tenth visit to Coyote Buttes North, but all the snow on the ground made this familiar area feel new and exciting. It's amazing what difference a couple of days can make. Plus, we were the very first visitors to The Wave in 2015!
We woke up extra early on New Year's Day since we knew that we would probably have to drive slower to reach the Wire Pass trailhead this morning. When we looked outside there was a layer of fresh snow on the ground, so I knew it was a good decision. After some breakfast we started the drive. Surprisingly, the highway in Arizona to the state line had been plowed overnight and wasn't too bad, but once we entered Utah the road was covered in snow and there weren't too many tracks. It was a slow drive in the dark to The Cockscomb with our speeds averaging about 35-40mph most of the way. A typical 30 minute drive turned into an hour.
After making it to House Rock Valley Road we found about six inches of fresh snow on the road with no existing tracks. This is the reason I drive a Jeep!
House Rock Valley Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leaving the first set of tracks on the road.
First Tracks by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Snow on The Cockscomb with a little light barely showing through the clouds.
Cockscomb Snow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As we guessed, there were no other vehicles at the Wire Pass trailhead when we arrived. There were no tracks coming from the other direction either. I've never seen the trailhead covered in snow, so I took a photo.
Wire Pass Trailhead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It's a good thing we had brought along our snow boots and snow pants on this trip, just in case. We would be needing them today. We changed into our winter gear and started our hike to The Wave.
Surprisingly, the sun made a brief appearance as we hiked down Coyote Wash.
Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane enjoying the sun.
Coyote Wash Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leaving the wash. The BLM has upgraded the sign where the trail leaves the wash since I was here in February.
Notice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking across snow-covered sand on our way to the sandstone pass. Seriously, the entire hike was very peaceful and serene the whole day, but it was definitely more work hiking through six inches of powder. A good workout for sure!
Snow Over Sand by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A yucca pokes through the snow.
Yucca Snow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I figured the first place we would have problems hiking in the snow would be over the first sandstone pass. We actually had no issues climbing up it, but we fell a few times coming down the other side...
Sliding Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The sun hidden behind a think layer of clouds as we climb through the second pass. Even with all the snow on the ground and the sun hidden behind the clouds, there was really no wind today, which made the temperature more comfortable than our hike here on Monday.
Through the Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane coming down the other side making sure not to fall this time.
Careful by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The snow made everything look new. I think it might be difficult for someone who has never been here before to navigate with only the map and photos the BLM provides when everything is covered with snow like this. Especially the type of visitors that Coyote Buttes North attracts who have little backcountry experience.
Winter Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Finally, we reached the entrance to The Wave.
Wave Entrance by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I wanted to enter The Wave without getting too many of my footprints all over, so we went around to the side to see if we could enter through The Passage. We were able to climb up this way.
Snow Entrance by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I love the way the ridges catch the snow.
Lines in the Snow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Thankfully, there wasn't too much snow in The Passage, so I was able to take photos of the contrast between the colorful sandstone and snow in here.
Through The Passage by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Welcome to my first trip report of 2015, and what an adventure it was! This was a fun trip report to write, not because the photos are necessarily great, but because it was a fun day in unique conditions. This may have been my tenth visit to Coyote Buttes North, but all the snow on the ground made this familiar area feel new and exciting. It's amazing what difference a couple of days can make. Plus, we were the very first visitors to The Wave in 2015!
We woke up extra early on New Year's Day since we knew that we would probably have to drive slower to reach the Wire Pass trailhead this morning. When we looked outside there was a layer of fresh snow on the ground, so I knew it was a good decision. After some breakfast we started the drive. Surprisingly, the highway in Arizona to the state line had been plowed overnight and wasn't too bad, but once we entered Utah the road was covered in snow and there weren't too many tracks. It was a slow drive in the dark to The Cockscomb with our speeds averaging about 35-40mph most of the way. A typical 30 minute drive turned into an hour.
After making it to House Rock Valley Road we found about six inches of fresh snow on the road with no existing tracks. This is the reason I drive a Jeep!
House Rock Valley Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leaving the first set of tracks on the road.
First Tracks by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Snow on The Cockscomb with a little light barely showing through the clouds.
Cockscomb Snow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As we guessed, there were no other vehicles at the Wire Pass trailhead when we arrived. There were no tracks coming from the other direction either. I've never seen the trailhead covered in snow, so I took a photo.
Wire Pass Trailhead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
It's a good thing we had brought along our snow boots and snow pants on this trip, just in case. We would be needing them today. We changed into our winter gear and started our hike to The Wave.
Surprisingly, the sun made a brief appearance as we hiked down Coyote Wash.
Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane enjoying the sun.
Coyote Wash Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Leaving the wash. The BLM has upgraded the sign where the trail leaves the wash since I was here in February.
Notice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hiking across snow-covered sand on our way to the sandstone pass. Seriously, the entire hike was very peaceful and serene the whole day, but it was definitely more work hiking through six inches of powder. A good workout for sure!
Snow Over Sand by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A yucca pokes through the snow.
Yucca Snow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I figured the first place we would have problems hiking in the snow would be over the first sandstone pass. We actually had no issues climbing up it, but we fell a few times coming down the other side...
Sliding Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The sun hidden behind a think layer of clouds as we climb through the second pass. Even with all the snow on the ground and the sun hidden behind the clouds, there was really no wind today, which made the temperature more comfortable than our hike here on Monday.
Through the Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Diane coming down the other side making sure not to fall this time.
Careful by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The snow made everything look new. I think it might be difficult for someone who has never been here before to navigate with only the map and photos the BLM provides when everything is covered with snow like this. Especially the type of visitors that Coyote Buttes North attracts who have little backcountry experience.
Winter Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Finally, we reached the entrance to The Wave.
Wave Entrance by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I wanted to enter The Wave without getting too many of my footprints all over, so we went around to the side to see if we could enter through The Passage. We were able to climb up this way.
Snow Entrance by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I love the way the ridges catch the snow.
Lines in the Snow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Thankfully, there wasn't too much snow in The Passage, so I was able to take photos of the contrast between the colorful sandstone and snow in here.
Through The Passage by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
