The Glen Canyon Dam separates the Colorado River from Lake Powell.
We're back in Kanab to try our luck again for the Wave lottery. Day 1 
Number 89 today out of 126
The outline shows the size of the condor vs the golden eagle and red tailed hawk
Getting a permit to Coyote Buttes South is much easier than Coyote Buttes North where
"The Wave" is. South requires 4 wheel drive.
Cottonwood Cove area of Coyote Buttes South
Posing with Half and Half
The Witches hat
Dinosaur tracks
Taking in the beauty of the Southern Wave
Found a little shade to take a break in
White Pocket will impress even the most adventurous explorer with its abundant colors and a varied landscape. It’s worth every second of the high-clearance four-wheel-drive long drive on deep, sandy roads.
Coyote Buttes South is divided into two areas, Cottonwood Cove and Paw Hole. We now have been to Cottonwood Cove twice because we have been told that the road to Paw Hole is impassable. We came to check it out for ourselves. Not sure what the big to do is. Seems fine to us.
Day 3
Our application is number 30 out of 105 which represents 329 people
We crossed paths with these two gentlemen on our way out to Flag Point. They asked if we were going to check out the Dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs. We were unaware of both so they clued us in with details to find both.
These are the largest grouping and best dinosaur tracks we have seen.
Check out what looks like a dinosaur track in the petroglyphs
Time to hike back up the hill to the Jeep
Steep climb
Lunch time
As we head out on Glass Eye Spring trail we cross paths again with the two gentlemen. This time they ask if we are going to check out the cliff dwelling. Again we know nothing about any cliff dwelling and pick their brain for details. How lucky for us.
Lots of Cryptobiotic soil in this area.
Let’s break that down. Crypto means ‘hidden’ and biota means ‘life’, so this literally translates to ‘hidden life’. From the naked eye, it looks just like crusty black dirt but there’s so much more to it. Biological soil crust is a living soil that’s comprised mostly of cyanobacteria, as well as lichen, moss, fungi, and other bacteria. When damaged, the colony of organisms could take several hundred to 5,000+ years to recolonize and reform in arid places (you read that right.)
We find the trail down the side of the cliff
Here is the cliff dwelling just like they told us
No house is complete without some rock art
Time to climb back up
Inch Worm Arch
Lunch time
Day 5
Our application was number 49 out of 112
Toadstools
A toadstool formation is a boulder perched on a rock of smaller diameter
Headed out to the Hoodoo Forest overlook
Collared lizard
Made it to the Over look
Overlooking Hoodoo Forest
Rock art
😀
Lower Hackberry Canyon
A beautiful narrow canyon with clear ankle deep water in a sandy stream bed
Who is that headed toward us?
I hope she's friendly
Here is where the water fills the canyon from side to side. We will have to keep this hike in mind for a warmer day and bring water shoes
Wire Pass Trailhead is the gateway to some spectacular scenery and hiking, including The Wave and Buckskin Gulch. The trailhead is located in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area
Turn right here to go to "The Wave". Very tempting.
We have now intersected with Buckskin Gulch. Buckskin Gulch is the ultimate slot canyons. For 12.5 miles the gulch is enveloped in a very narrow gorge 100 to 200 feet deep, flanked by vaulting convoluted walls of Navajo Sandstone. Buckskin Gulch is renowned not only because of its continuous challenging narrows, but also because there is no other canyon like it in the world.
In October we turned around here, but not today
At 5 miles we encounter these large boulders semi blocking the trail and decidedit was a good place to turn around.
We were impressed with the tree's root system
Day 7
Our application is number 47 out of 81
Eagle Sink is an amazing limestone sinkhole approximately 160 feet deep
Mollie's Nipple
Day 8
Our application is number 64 out of 98 which represents 245 people
Since we had not gotten a permit yet we decided to extend our stay for another week. We spent the day relocating the motorhome within the same park, grocery shopping, laundry and making much needed phone calls.
Day 9
Our application was number 85 out of 105
In search of the petroglyphs that we hear are near White Wave
We didn't draw a permit to "The Wave" this morning so we came to check out White Wave
Lunch time
Kanab Creek Trail
Stopped the German Bakery in Orderville
We learned you need to get here early in the day. The cafe closes at 2pm and by then almost all the goodies are gone.
Hiking to Red Hollow Slot Canyon
This thrilling slot canyon combines climbing, hiking, and rappelling
When this much younger family of 4 could not make it up and over to the next level we decided to turn around here.
Day 11
Our application is number 65 out of 89
Headed to Montezuma Cave
The locals were very vague when we asked how to get to the cave. The directions we got were turn right at the sign, then go a fork in the road and turn left and then turn left again. I guess there is talk of closing this area.
Could this rural area be the resting place of Montezuma's gold? Did the Aztec hide their mythical treasure deep in the sandstone? Freddy Crystal, a prospector back in 1914 believed so. Based on stories and evidence he compiled in Mexico, he set his sights on the white sandstone peaks in southern Utah as the resting location. His hunt around Kanab began in 1914.
Finding petroglyphs, and a series of moki steps in Johnson canyon, Freddy believed he had found his treasure in 1922. He found tunnels that appeared to have been built and sealed by the ancient Aztec. Upon returning to Kanab, Freddy sold his idea to the townspeople and enlisted their help. For the next couple of years he and many of the townspeople worked to excavate the tunnels. No gold was ultimately ever found. These days, a visit to the Montezuma Cave is unlikely to result in finding gold, but the area is interesting and fascinating with quite a rich history.
We found it!
You can see why they might need to close this area. Many people have carved their names into the cave walls.
Now we just have to make our way back down to the Jeep.
Lunch is waiting
Johnson Canyon is very scenic and has been used as a backdrop for several movies.
This wall has Indian writings, Cowboy glyphs and this Pioneer billboard advertising a business in nearby Fredonia, Arizona.
Headed to Grand Chamber
Lots of blurred tracks. Hard to live up to the great ones we found at Flag Point.
Lunch time
Taking shelter from the wind along side of the Jeep
Zion National Park in the far distance
Crossing the East Virgin River
Last fall we stopped and swang on the swing but today it's a little chilly.
Day 12
Our application was number 14 out of 71 which represents 163 people
Pink Cove
You can't see me hiding in the tree
Day 13
Our application was number 7 out of 70
Today was our final day to submit our application for "The Wave". Still no luck.
Adding up all of our previous submitted applications, this was our 30th attempt. Though we would like to be able to hike "The Wave" look at all the cool things we have seen while staying in Kanab.
After seeing that the road to Paw Hole was totally doable we applied for another Coyote Buttes South permit and got it.
Sunset Butte
Southern Alcove
Yellow Stripe
The sign said 1/2 mile to the petroglyphs. After climbing the hill now we have to cross this field. Seems like the distance is a little off.
What a great panel. Well worth the hike.
This rock art is thought to have originated between AD 850 and 1300. The writing hints at an ancient hunting ground, where bighorn, mountain lion, deer, and other game was plentiful.
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