Coyote Buttes North & Willis Creek

Friday - Monday, November 8-11, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

Last November I said that I was going to be taking a little break from visiting the Paria Plateau, and I have. However, almost exactly a year later I was ready to go back for another visit and managed to get another permit for Coyote Buttes North. I was only able to get one permit this time around, so it was a good weekend for me to take a solo trip. If I had to choose a month, I think November is probably my favorite time of the year to visit this area. This is the third year in a row that I have visited Coyote Buttes North in November and it seems like I usually have good conditions this time of the year. Even though this was the first year that I had clear blue skies all day with no dynamic weather, I still managed to come back home with many new images. Feel free to check out my previous November trip reports from 2011 and 2012.

I left work on Friday afternoon to begin my three day weekend and started my drive through Utah. I stopped for a delicious burger at Milt's in Moab for dinner, fueled up my Jeep, then drove a little further south to find a campsite on Hart's Point in the dark. After quickly setting up camp, I spent a little time photographing the night sky before getting to bed.

My simple campsite under the Big Dipper.

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Harts Point Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Under the Stars by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On Saturday morning I had a quick breakfast and then set out to find and photograph some new ruins and rock art before continuing my drive south to Arizona.

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Shield by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Man in a Circle by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This is a very nice panel of petroglyphs. It was in the shade when when I first arrived, but I took this photo just as the sun came up over the cliffs and lit it up.

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Flautist by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here's a different view of the same panel so you can get a sense of where it's located.

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Slot Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Powerful Shaman by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Open Arms by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I've been looking for this site for a while and was glad to finally visit it on this trip. The petroglyphs below this small granary are pretty amazing.

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Crosscreek Ruin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Crosscreek Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were even a couple of pictographs nearby, too.

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Lichen & Pictographs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Kangaroo by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Corner Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Alone by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After driving through Blanding, Bluff and Kayenta, I eventually reached Page a few hours later. I needed to get out of the Jeep and stretch my legs after the drive, so I hiked the short Hanging Gardens Trail in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It's a short interpretive trail that leads to a lush riparian oasis under the shoulder of a row of buttes overlooking Lake Powell.

The well-defined trail to the Hanging Garden.

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Slickrock Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The hanging garden growing the the back of this shallow alcove.

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Hanging Garden by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were a few yellow leaves still hanging on around here.

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Single by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

While I was in town I also stopped at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook since I'd never been there before.

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Glen Canyon Dam by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking down at the Colorado River from the overlook.

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Emerald River by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After a quick dinner in Page I continued my journey to the Stateline Campground where I setup my camp for the next two nights and then got to bed early. I woke up well before sunrise on Sunday, drove over to the Wire Pass trailhead and started my hike in the dark.

Just as I was hiking over the pass the pre-dawn glow lit up the sandstone all around me. It was a beautiful sight.

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Pre-Dawn Glow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Dawn Hike by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Pass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Then the first light of the day struck the top of the Coyote Buttes in the distance.

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Sandstone Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Light on the Butte by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Is there anything nicer than warm sunlight on colorful sandstone first thing in the morning?

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Coyote Buttes Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Morning Sandstone by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Sunrise Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Soon I made it to the entrance of The Wave.

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Countercurrent by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Wave Detail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The early morning light bouncing off of the Coyote Buttes really added some amazing color to this section below the Black Crack of Top Rock.

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Below the Crack by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Track by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Interesting geology in black and white.

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To the Spot by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I climbed up to a higher vantage point to take in the views on this beautiful morning.

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On Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There was even a little standing water to be found above The Wave.

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Top Rock Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sunburst through Top Rock Arch.

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Top Rock Arch Sunburst by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I spent a little time photographing The Passage.

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Anomaly by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Twist by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Passage Glow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

An obligatory Wave photo, but I didn't stick around here very long.

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Just Another Wave Photo by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When other hikers started to show up at The Wave it was time for me to go. I made my way up to the top of Top Rock where I could find a little more solitude.

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Falling to Pieces by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I made sure to visit the Sand Dune Alcove.

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Sand & Stone by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The reflected light in The Alcove was nice as usual.

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Rockfall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Alcove Lines by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Fin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here's the previous image in black and white. Which do you like better?

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Fin B&W by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I already have plenty of color photos from this location, so I tried this one in black and white.

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Alcove B&W by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After relaxing in The Alcove for a while I climbed up above for an expansive view of the area.

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View from the Top by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I had never visited Top Rock Arch before, so I made sure to stop by.

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Top Rock Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I caught this sunburst through Top Rock Window, too.

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Top Rock Window by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When I was done exploring Top Rock I descended down near the Second Wave and then to the Sand Cove area.

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Racetrack by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

For some reason I had never made it to The Boneyard on my previous trips to Coyote Buttes North, so I made sure to stop by this time...even if the light wasn't great at this time of the day. The rocks around here are very unique.

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Boneyard by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Interesting striations can be found just about anywhere around here.

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Corner by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Growing in the Crack by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Just a small hoodoo that I hiked by.

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Hoodoo by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Sand Wash by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another pool of water...another reflection.

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Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I caught the sun through Top Rock Arch in the morning and then managed to catch the moon through it in the afternoon.

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Moon Through Top Rock Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Moon Over Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Last light on the Second Wave.

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Second Wave by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The last of the days light on the sandstone above me as I hiked back to my Jeep at the trailhead. I started my day in the dark and would be ending it the same way.

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End of Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I returned back to my site at the Stateline Campground well after dark. I had some dinner, read a book and turned in early since I was pretty tired from getting up early and hiking about 14 miles today.

Monday morning arrived and it was time for me to start my journey back home. I slept in just a little bit later than the previous day and then had to decided where to go? I had thought about hiking up to Yellow Rock this morning, but with the clear skies above I thought a slot canyon might be a better place to take some photos today. Bull Valley Gorge and Willis Creek were my planned destinations when I left Arizona behind. Since I was heading that direction anyway, I figured it might be nice to stop for breakfast at Nedra's Too in Kanab. The food was great as always and I soon found myself heading north through Johnson Canyon to Skutumpah Road. I parked next to Bull Valley Gorge and started my hike along the rim of the canyon to an access point into the canyon. Unfortunately, what I ended up finding was a very slick down-climb into the gorge that I was not prepared to try by myself. I'm sure I could have made it down OK, but I'm not so sure I would have been able to get back out by myself. Better safe than sorry. Another time.

I hiked back to my Jeep and made my way a little further up the road to the Willis Creek trailhead. I grabbed my camera, backpack and tripod and started hiking down the canyon. It was a beautiful hike and I had a lot of fun photographing the amazing colors created by the reflected light in the sections of narrow canyon. I hiked all the way down to Sheep Creek and then returned to my vehicle. I seemed to have better light on my way down the canyon the first time than on the return hike. I didn't run into anyone else until I was almost back to the trailhead. I'm glad I had got an earlier start to the hike since I had the canyon to myself and there were a lot of people starting the hike when I returned.

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Shallow Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Striped Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Willis Creek by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The light bouncing off the canyon wall here was just stunning.

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Golden Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Willis Creek Bend by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Around the Corner by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Creek Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Willis Narrows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

From Willis Creek I made my way further east and north on scenic Highway 12. I turned off onto the Burr Trail when I reached Boulder and made my way to Capitol Reef National Park. I was hoping to find a new petroglyph panel along the way.

Peek-a-boo Arch came into view as I reached the Waterpocket Fold and Upper Muley Twist Canyon.

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Peek-a-boo Arch by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I managed to find the petroglyphs I was looking for.

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Designs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sure looks like a moose to me?

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Moose Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Couple by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

View towards the Henry Mountains as I descended the switchbacks of the Burr Trail.

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Burr View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

My Jeep parked in one of the switchbacks.

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Burr Switchback by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

One last photo towards the Henry Mountains taken near Notom.

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Notom View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When I reached the bottom of the switchbacks I took the Notom Road back to Highway 12 and then finished my drive home on pavement. It was an incredible long weekend that I won't soon forget!

>> Coyote Buttes North & Willis Creek Photo Gallery

Awesome stuff! So many good ones...you've got some talent! It's been too long Randy. :popcorn:

Great to see you posting again on Bogley. :2thumbs:

Great shots as always. I like the one where you put the sun rising through that little arch. :cool2:

Thanks guys. It has been a while since I posted on Bogley...time to get started again :)

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Originally Posted by IntrepidXJ

Thanks guys. It has been a while since I posted on Bogley...time to get started again :)

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Yes please! :popcorn:

Very nice !!! But how in the heck did you score the permit to begin with ?

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Originally Posted by Swimswithtrout

Very nice !!! But how in the heck did you score the permit to begin with ?

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Through their online system.

Very nice report, Randy.
What lens are you using in the sunburst shots?

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Originally Posted by oldno7

Very nice report, Randy.
What lens are you using in the sunburst shots?

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Canon 16-35mm