On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
What a treat we have this morning. These rock formations are astonishing! ~WaterGirl
eponymous
In 2008, I visited Vermilion Cliffs National Monument (VCNM) with friends. This NM is tucked between the Grand Canyon to the south, and multiple parks to the north – Zion National Park to the NE, Capitol Reef to the north, and more, in Utah. The main object of the trip was a rock formation dubbed ‘the Wave’, which is iconic and should be familiar to most of you.
The Wave is located in Coyote Buttes South, which had so much else in the way of fabulous cross-bedded sandstone formations as well. We drove down from Denver and camped out at trailheads. I could still camp at that time! Probably still could as long as I don’t have to get on the ground…
We also went to Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon nearby. Since we had some great photos of slot canyons recently on OTR, I just included a couple of those.
I am an indifferent photographer, but this is one of those areas you can practically close your eyes and snap something lovely.
The start of the hike into the Wave. It’s early, and the shadows and lighting have interesting contrasts.
My favorite photo of the Wave – it was still early enough to get interesting shadows.
I loved this formation – it reminded me of cake, for some reason. The layers, maybe.
More fantastic formations…
These rocks reminded me of loaves waiting to go into the oven. It was hot enough there, even in September.
The Wave towards mid-day.
We took a guided tour to this slot canyon. I can’t remember, but I believe it is required to do so. We also wanted to rely on the knowledge of local people, as it would not do to get caught in one of these canyons during a flash flood. This photo shows the beginning of our tour – you can see the narrow opening of the canyon behind the trucks.
I liked the glow of this shot. It is somewhat reminiscent of a Georgia O’Keefe painting, or so I like to think.
donatellonerd
yes, there was lots of beauty everywhere. thanks. if i ever get back to that region i’d love to see the Wave.
Mary G
Those are gorgeous. I feel like I say that every time I comment, but it’s always true. I had never heard of the Wave, I’m ashamed to say, and it looks amazing. Your glowing photo of the slot canyon is very painterly.
JanieM
What Mary G said.
Just, wow, especially that last one.
There go two miscreants
Very cool! Was in that general area two years ago (Zion, then Grand Canyon). There is a lot to see.
Jerry
Beautiful
debbie
Beautiful!
Albatrossity
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing those shots of some of the most beautiful places in the country.
Dunno if you know it, but the Vermilion Cliffs is also a place where California Condors are raised and then released into the wild. There is a facility high on one of the cliffs which has released many condors into freedom. We visited in March 2005 and watched the release of 17 birds!
Falling Diphthong
Thank you; I love the parks of southern Utah, and we never have time to hit as many as I want. This inspires me to go back.
Dmbeaster
I have tried multiple times to get a permit to see The Wave. Skunked every time. The whole area is amazing.
Mike in Oly
So beautiful! We were supposed to go thru that area this coming spring on a road trip to New Mexico for the annual Iris Convention, being held in Las Cruces for 2021. I doubt that will be happening.
Angela (@Toocananj)
My son and his bride chose the rim of Bryce Canyon for a small intimate immediate family only wedding two weeks ago. We spent the week before hiking in the different national parks, but we missed this one. These are beautiful photos, and helping me to plan our next trip. We hope to return for a month next fall. Thanks for highlighting this national park, and your amazing photos.
MelissaM
#2 is Jabba the Hutt. The last one is beyond words.
Wag
Great photos! We tried to go to the Wave when we were at Lake Powell this past Spring, but there were no reservations available due to COVID. Thanks for sharing.
Ceci n est pas mon nym
Beautiful pictures. I love interesting rock formations.
But no, I’ve never seen pictures of nor even heard of The Wave. So thank you for introducing me to it.
And I agree with you about the cake. Specifically it makes me think of icing being spread.
frosty
This NM is on my list to visit. How long was the hike to the Wave? Is there anything you recommend if you can only spend a day or two there?
Dmbeaster
@frosty: blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/arizona/coyote-buttes
The link discusses the details for seeing The Wave, which is a permit hassle. Its 6 miles round trip. It fairly level, but involves some off trail walking. I have walked the Wire Pass trail to slots nearby, but not to the feature itself (skunked on permits).
There are countless beautiful destinations in the area. I always recommend Zion or Capital Reef for short visits. The Wave is on BLM land near the Paria Wilderness, and has interesting features (but The Wave is world class), but go to Zion or Capital Reef for a short trip.
StringOnAStick
Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for the photos!
When I was an undergrad in geology in the late ’70’s every winter and spring break was spent in these gorgeous parks of Utah. Our field camp class spent a week in and around the Henry Mountains, where there are features that were originally deep underground, and molten rock was injected between the sandstone layers, then later uplifted and exposed for us to see. Lacoliths and more, so trippy to see and comprehend.
J R in WV
Just WOW !! Amazing rock formations, and I agree with the painterly descriptions of the glowing slot canyon. Hard to mess up photos when you are starting out with that kind of scenery.
Thanks for sharing with us!!
pat
Yep, Georgia O’Keefe. I’d make a large print of that, frame it and hang it on my wall. Lovely.
JustRuss
Absolutely beautiful. Hope to get there some day. Retiring early is looking better and better.
way2blue
Gorgeous. I especially love the last photo. Can you walk into that portion of the slot canyon? Or simply peer at the amazing twists & turns?
Dan B
@Dmbeaster: Seconded on Zion. We were looking for camping and took a road at the west edge of the park that goes up to wonderful views of the terrain and to open forest. We were the only people there in early October. The rock towers look fantastic from the road.
eponymous
I’m getting to this a bit late – I appreciate everyone’s comments, and especially thanks for the ‘painterly’ description.
Albatrossity – I heard about the condors, but did not see any, sadly.
frosty – it’s been awhile, but I think the hike was at least two hours. Pretty much recommend this hike, and a slot canyon tour, as we did.
StringOnAStick – I did my geology field camp in the Chiricahuas – gorgeous country also
way2blue – you can walk all through the slot canyon – I think I pointed the camera up a bit to avoid the crowds.
thanks, everyone!