Utah/AZ loop suggestions

My buddy has tasked me with planning a trip from So Cal that will definitely include the ruins near Blanding, UT, such as roof on fire and falling roof (the latter of which I visited this summer)

We have 5, maybe 6 days. We are coming from Riverside, so Blanding is about a day's drive. He asked about Grand Staircase, can anyone comment on that?

We have both done Bryce and Zion many times, so we are looking at other suggestions. He has done the slots at Page already so he doesn't want to go there again.

Any help is appreciated!

Maybe stop in Kanab to see if you can draw a Coyote Buttes permit, maybe look into Waterpocket Fold and Capital Reef. If you're at Fallen roof, there's Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods just to the south.

"Maybe stop in Kanab to see if you can draw a Coyote Buttes (Wave) permit,"

That's an excellent idea! If you can get there on Friday morning, you can try and draw for both Saturday and Sunday. Chances are actually fairly good at this time of year, too.

We will be there in Dec, leaving So Cal the 26th. I did the Wave once, but my buddy would like to go and I wouldn't mind going again. However, from my last trip, the logistics made it nearly impossible to do in less than 3 days, but perhaps it will be different now.

I didn't realize the permit station was in Kanab, when we went in July, it was out in the middle of nowhere, out near the actual trail area. We had to drive all day, stay over night in Page, then get a permit the next day for the following day, hence my 3 day scenario.

But if my buddy and I can leave So cal, get to Kanab before the permit station closes and get a permit for the next day, that is a good plan.

26th, drive to Kanab, get permit, 27th, hike the Wave. 28th, drive to Blanding and do the ruins until the 30th, then drive home. Hmmm

You'll need to apply in the morning, just so you'll know.
If you want to go to Escalante, most of the best parts are along the Hole in the Rock road just outside of the village of Escalante. Laurent Martres' excellent book titled Photographing the Southwest:S. Utah is a great place to start planning a trip there.

Thanks for the book suggestion.

The BLM site is not clear, do you know if you can get a permit in the afternoon, for the following day if they are still available?

You should be at the Kanab office at 8:30am to fill out your app and the drawing is at 9am. I doubt any of the 10 Wave permits will be leftover to pick up in the afternnon.

Ok, thanks. I will talk to my friend to see if he wants to leave at midnight on Christmas to get to the BLM office in time,

Are there any other suggestions? Anything good at Staircase Escalante?

Martres book has plenty of suggestions that may suit your interests/preferences in the area. Well worth the investment.

If you are going all the way to Blanding I recommend you visit Monument Valley.

Wahweap Hoodoos are near Page just outside of Big Water, good for sunrise shots. The Martes book is a great suggestion. Be aware that Cottonwood Canyon Road is closed for repairs so you wouldn't be able to get to anything off that road.

Actually, Lower Cottonwood Canyon road (west of Page) is open from the junction of Hwy. 89 almost all the way north to Grosvenor Arch, so there is much that is accessible from the road. You can bypass the 'Road Closed' sign as so many do. Entry from the north (east of Bryce) at the junction of Hwy. 12 is closed just a few miles south. One can no longer use it as a shortcut route from Hwy. 12 to Hwy. 89.

You can also go to the Nautilus & Edmaiers Secret while you're in the Coyote Buttes area. The Nautilus is a sunset place, just a 15 minute walk. Edmaiers Secret is also an afternoon place, but is vast enough that you could start exploring in mid-morning. Info here: http://thewave.info/. Leprechaun Canyon is a fun little stop, off of UT 95, east of the west junction with UT 276 -- nice subway section & fun narrows. Zebra in the Escalante area for midday. And eat at the Hells Backbone Grill if they're open (may be closed for the season) I also recommend the Martres book.

Thanks for the suggestions and I will most likely get that book.

What I came up with for an itinerary so far:

Weds: Riverside, CA to Kanab (maybe shoot something nearby if we make it for sunset)

Thurs: Hopefully get a permit for the Wave on Friday (unless by some miracle we got one on Weds afternoon, doubtful) After getting permit, drive up and shoot in the Escalante Staircase area, returning to Kanab to sleep

Friday, rise early, drive to Wirepass trailhead for Wave hike, spend Friday night in Page

Sat early drive to Falling Roof/Road Canyon trailhead (about 3.5 hour drive) spend Sat shooting ruins, then spend the night in Blanding.

Sunday, head to Roof on Fire ruin and other ruins in that area, then head home to Riverside late on Sunday.

Any potential problems with this trip that anyone can see? (besides the obvious not getting a permit for the Wave)

Looks like a good trip plan.

Just of note, I was at the permit station two weeks ago. For a Sunday permit with Saturday lottery - about 70 walk-ins for 10 permits for North; 19 walk-ins for 10 permits south. The BLM reps said it was unusual to have a lottery for south; but north has been running fairly consistent in the 50+ range. You could also go see White Pocket (no permit). Keep in mind the need for high clearance 4x4, especially for South and WP; though with recent precip the sand is tacky.

Thanks for the heads up Karl. I am hoping that for a Friday entry, the crowds won't be as bad, but with it being a holiday week, who knows?

I was there October 30 on a Tuesday for a Wednesday permit and there were 77 people seeking the 10 permits for the Wave, there were plenty of permits available for South Coyote Buttes. If there is a lottery for the South, it happens an hour after the Wave Lottery. Keep in mind this is actually a popular time of year to visit the Wave, in the summer it gets very hot (I was 'lucky' enough to get a permit on a July day that hit 109) and when I was there 2 weeks ago it was around 70 degrees the day we went to the Wave.

Wow! 77 on a weds? That's disheartening. But you got in Scott? Right now there are two of us, but we might be three, how big was your party? South buttes is not an option as we won't have four wheel drive.

Depending on the weather, Rodney, you might not make it in & out of the Wave without 4WD. Those clay roads get really slick when wet/snowy and they're not maintained (plowed).

Monika, thanks for the reminder. I know the road to the Wave trailhead is a good one, in good weather. We will definitely keep that in mind,

I have a 4wd CRV, but honestly, I have not tested it as I have only had it for a few months, so I do not know what it can and cannot do.

Rodney, yep, 77 on a wednesday. We got there 3 minutes before the lottery started and were lucky enough to get in, just two of us.

Just an update, my buddy dropped out at the last minute, so this trip never was realized. Now we are planning to go to White Pocket on the 1st if anyone will be there, might be nice to meet up.