Planning a trip to Coyote Buttes South and surrounding area

[Bobuddy]

Hi everyone, I am new here to the forum and have found lots of useful information already on this board. My husband and I are heading out to Page/Kanab the first week of April. Our plans this year are to head out to Coyote Buttes South, Paw Hole, and White Pocket.

We were fortunate enough to score permits to CBN a few years ago, so we have been to the Wave - and will attempt to get lottery walk in permits again this year but are not counting on it. I would love to be able to see the Sand Cove area, Top Rock and Melody's Arch - and other surrounding areas of the Wave since we spent most of our day at the Wave proper.

So, from my understanding in years past, the walk in permits for CBS have been fairly easy to obtain however we will not have a 4wd vehicle. Is it possible to rent a 4wd vehicle in Page? I have also seen the Overland Tours and Paria Outpost services for shuttle/guide, etc - but the cost is pretty high. We are thinking of spending an entire day out there - is that enough to visit all three places and not feel rushed? We are open to spending an overnight out there (or two) also - but again, we would have to find equipment to rent somehow. Is renting camping equipment a possibility in Page?

Thanks for any information,

Laurie

[ibenick]

Even with a rental 4WD I would be concerned about driving to White Pocket. It takes a very capable vehicle and an experienced driver to get through the sand without getting stuck. A lot of times where you have to smash the gas when most people would not think to do so. You'll also want a good compressor and other recovery tools in case the sand is too soft. When I drove out there in December there were so many spots where people had sunk their vehicles deep into the sand.

[americanhero]

Even with a rental 4WD I would be concerned about driving to White Pocket. It takes a very capable vehicle and an experienced driver to get through the sand without getting stuck. A lot of times where you have to smash the gas when most people would not think to do so. You'll also want a good compressor and other recovery tools in case the sand is too soft. When I drove out there in December there were so many spots where people had sunk their vehicles deep into the sand.

I always go with a rental car to the area. I was at the CBS and White Pocket with a XTerra, a Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Wrangler Sport, a Rubicon and also with a Chevy Trailblazer many years ago. It was fine. It depends on the road conditions.
But you are right, you need the proper equipment like air compressor, tow rope, floor mats, shovel and jack. You can easily get stuck in the sand.
Last June we aired down our Rubicon due to the soft and deep sand. With this everything worked out fine.
I would never go without my equipment, that's for sure. :mrgreen:
And I would never recommend the drive to an unexperienced driver.

For example, last year we twice towed someone out on House Rock Valley Road. In both cases the vehicles got stuck in a short passage of deep and very soft sand.

[americanhero]

here is a link of a jeep rental in Page:

http://www.ccadventures.net/

friends of mine have rented there once or twice.

[zzyzx]

We've rented there.
Rick, the owner, is very friendly.
We have had the Grand Cherokee - great 4WD.
Now he offers Wranglers too.


Our plans this year are to head out to Coyote Buttes South, Paw Hole, and White Pocket.

Great plan. You'll have a great time in this remote and impressive area. And yes, it's better you stay there overnight. So you can enjoy all three places including sunset, sunrise and the incredible starry sky - sometimes with the sound of the coyotes.
If you aren't so tall, you can sleep in the Cherokee.

[Bobuddy]

Okay - I think we have a pretty good idea that we - as inexperienced drivers in sand - probably should not attempt the full drive out there.

So - that leads me to this question - how far can we go down Houserock Road? We have been down this road multiple times but only as far as the Wirepass Trail parking area. Last year around the end of March - was..... interesting.... to say the least but I have heard that the road has been scraped recently? I hope so!

I have followed the road on Google Earth and it seems there might be other parking areas around. We are in relatively good shape - I would be willing to hike from Stateline Campground if this is possible.

Hmmmmm - I am not that tall - I am up for sleeping in the vehicle if possible ! :mrgreen:

Does anyone care to share where they stayed/camped? How about cost of renting the vehicle for the few days?

Does anyone rent camping equipment?

Thanks for all of the replies - I am really looking forward to this!

[americanhero]

Great plan. You'll have a great time in this remote and impressive area. And yes, it's better you stay there overnight. So you can enjoy all three places including sunset, sunrise and the incredible starry sky - sometimes with the sound of the coyotes.
If you aren't so tall, you can sleep in the Cherokee.

I want to go back :roll:
You exactly described our last years trip with sunset, sunrise and the coyotes in the morning. :mrgreen:
Hell, that place is so incredible!!

[zzyzx]

Here's my TOPO map.

42261


We are in relatively good shape - I would be willing to hike from Stateline Campground if this is possible.

That's rock'n roll.
A pretty good hike is if you start at Lone Tree via Paw Hole to the CBS. Onward to the White Pocket is impossible - IMO. There are no water sources. You have to carry all your water!
Good campsites are on White Pocket near TH. On CBS near 'Chess Queen' or near corral on the right hand site - please see map.


How about cost of renting the vehicle for the few days?

Please call or email Rick at ccadventures for details.



Does anyone rent camping equipment?

Sorry, I've no idea. An other option, buy some camping goods on Walmart in Page.

I hope it helps for the moment.
I go into my bed now, it's 2 am here.

[americanhero]

or maybe just visit the Paw Hole Teepees. Access via Lone Tree Reservoir. Normally a 2WD road to the trailhead , but depending on the recent weather conditions.
It's sandy but much easier to drive. The Paw Hole loop is less spectacular than Cottonwood Cove, but still worth a visit.

[zzyzx]

We want to go back too Yvonne- but we have not enough time in this year. :cry1:
We are around Moab and Blanding - only a couple of days for the CCR and CBS.

[americanhero]

We want to go back too Yvonne- but we have not enough time in this year. :cry1:
We are around Moab and Blanding - only a couple of days for the CCR and CBS.

Guess what - same to me. :haha:
Skipping the Page area this year due to some backpack trips in the Escalante and Moab area :mrgreen:

[Bobuddy]

or maybe just visit the Paw Hole Teepees. Access via Lone Tree Reservoir. Normally a 2WD road to the trailhead , but depending on the recent weather conditions.
It's sandy but much easier to drive. The Paw Hole loop is less spectacular than Cottonwood Cove, but still worth a visit.

Dang it - now you gave me somewhere else to want to go. Okay - time to do some research on Cottonwood Cove:mrgreen:

[americanhero]

Dang it - now you gave me somewhere else to want to go. Okay - time to do some research on Cottonwood Cove:mrgreen:

I can highly recommend Tanya's website :2thumbs:
There are wonderful shots and lots of beta of the area.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/south-coyote-buttes.htm

Cottonwood Cove is the access you normally take when visiting the area via BLM 1017 and BLM 1066.
From there it's not too far away to White Pocket. We always combined both. First we headed for an overnight camp to White Pocket and the next day to CBS-Cottonwood Cove area.
Here are some shots of my visit last June.

http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?42779-White-Pocket-and-Coyote-Buttes-South

[tanya]

My kind of woman! :haha:

[zzyzx]

Sorry, what're a 'lots of beta'?
I don't really understand this term.:ne_nau:

[Bo_Beck]

Sorry, what're a 'lots of beta'?
I don't really understand this term.:ne_nau:

Beta refers to "Information". Beta=Information

[zzyzx]

Thank you Bo,
So are these information - not approved, incomplete, or not really for the public?
Thanks again.

[tanya]

It's just another word for information, but a slang word really. The dictionary just does not get it right. lol


In the case of what we use it for, it is as ready as its going to get.

[zzyzx]

Yes, my dictionary has had no idea - so much slangs and acronyms here.
I'll try out these.
I've a bunch of grey hair more. :wink:

[erial]

Drove down House Rock Valley Rd in a rental compact car back in May 2005 to Lone Tree. From there was able to drive .5 of the 2.5 miles to Paw Hole. Walked the rest. About 40 minutes. From the teepees you continue to head north and generally uphill visiting other interesting features until you crest at a very impressive view of what seems the entire Coyote Buttes area. You'll be at the top of an amphitheatre thru which you can easily traverse over to Cottonwood should you choose.

Weather will be the key. Long as it's not raining or recently poured you shouldn't have a problem driving down HRVR. If the temps are cool, you should be to cover some ground without wilting once you depart from your vehicle.

If you have additional time in the area and haven't already been, consider the ride up Long Canyon and hike to Cobra Arch or perhaps a hike to Starlight Arch over near Old Pahreah.

[Bobuddy]

What about camping overnight in the area? From the BLM sites - it states no camping in CBS - but White Pocket is okay since it is outside of the permit area?

[tanya]

There is one campground. Half in Arizona and half in Utah. Utah is the cheaps side. :wink:

The information is in the center column of any of our Coyote Buttes pages.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/coyote-buttes.htm

[Bobuddy]

Tanya -

I have been to your website so many times since going to the Kanab/Page area - and thought it had such great information. It is nice to put your picture to your website after all this time! Keep up the good work with all of your postings - they are so appreciated! :mrgreen:

[tanya]

Thanks! I recently started adding photos of me on it, but they have only been up a short time.

Bo is on this site too. He is the expert trail writer!

[zzyzx]

What about camping overnight in the area?
From the BLM sites - it states no camping in CBS - but White Pocket
is okay since it is outside of the permit area?

... stateline CG has fire rings too and one bigger site with a patio (Arizona).
Campsites are in the east of the CBS - right hand to the 4WD Trail (corral and Chess Queen).
At White Pocket - near the fence at the TH or if you like at Hole in the Rock area.

[peakbaggers]

Visited Cottonwood Cove a few years ago. Would highly recommend this particular area if you're into photography. We spent two full days to take advantage of sunrise/sunsets (absolutlely best time for color) and still did not feel like we took advantage of all the photographic opportunities there. I think most people visiting this section only scratch the surface. We went in with a Toyota T-100 4WD and another couple in a 4WD pickup with a heavy camper in late Sept. There were some sandy spots where it was best to keep moving, but otherwise, no problems encountered. Some good camping just past the corral area where the road drops down a little. Make sure you don't camp/park past the wilderness boundary signs or you may be lectured. We have driven the House Rock road from both directions. We were advised that the southern end of the road tends to be in better shape because of less traffic volume - found that to be true, however, it all depends on recent conditions and how wet the road is. Would recommend the southern approach from Page if heading for Cottonwood Cove. There is every kind of formation you can imagine in that area and all the same beautiful colors as the wave.

[Bobuddy]

Peak - thanks for your reply. I am really looking forward to heading out there. I am not quite sure what to expect but everyone has such beautiful pictures, so I think it should be pretty spectacular.

I called Canyon Country Jeep Rental in Page - spoke with Rick who was very nice. He did say that he sends people out with tow straps, shovels, battery chargers, etc - and he did say that he has not had anyone get stuck - yet. With my luck, I might be the first for him. I am going back and forth about renting a vehicle vs having a tour. I would really like to just rent the vehicle and be there on our own terms and time schedule - but then that whole "safety" factor is an issue. I suppose we could do the tour first and then see it for ourselves - it might give us some peace of mind to rent a vehicle the next time?

We have a lot of "what if's " for this trip - still need permits for CBS which we hope to obtain as walk ins at the lottery - and then there is the whole "weather" factor that can make or break a trip. The year that we did the Wave - the day we left - the forecast for the area was sunny and 70's for the whole week. The day we hiked into the Wave - it was 30, very windy, and snowing. BRRRRRR!!!!! Needless to say, we were not as prepared as we thought.