The Wave Gear Checklist
The Wave sits in the Coyote Buttes North wilderness, where the BLM says there are no developed trails, few route markers, no drinking water and unreliable cell service. The suggested route is a strenuous 6.4-mile round trip over sand and slickrock. So the gear that matters is navigation you can trust, all your water and more, and real sun protection. People have died of heat here, and the photographers who know it best plan their day around shade and the hours of good light.
What shapes your gear on The Wave
- Route
- The BLM calls the suggested route a strenuous 6.4-mile round trip with no developed trail, across terrain that needs wayfinding skills. The permit comes with a route map and photos.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North, The Wave (permits) and thewave.info
- Water
- There is no drinking water in the area. The BLM says to carry and drink at least a gallon (3.75 liters) per person per day.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety
- Heat
- The average July high at The Wave is about 101 degrees with little shade, and there were three heat deaths in 2013 and another in 2018. Hikers start before dawn in warm months or skip the hottest days.
From thewave.info and HikingGuy
- Road
- The dirt road to the trailhead usually takes a high-clearance two-wheel-drive car, but can need four-wheel drive when wet and can close to all vehicles in the rainy season and winter.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety
- Phones
- Cell service is unreliable and 911 may not connect. The BLM asks you to tell someone your plan and return time.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety
What the agency requires on The Wave
Your Coyote Buttes North permit
A permit is required to visit Coyote Buttes North. All permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North, The Wave (permits)
What hikers carry on The Wave
A GPS track plus the BLM map
There is no marked trail, so hikers load a downloaded GPS track on a phone or GPS unit and keep the BLM's printed map and photos as a backup. One guide warns that a general map app's trail line does not match the real route.
From HikingGuy, thewave.info and Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety
A gallon of water or more
The BLM's gallon is the floor. In July and August photographers who know the area say you will need at least that, and some carry far more.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety, thewave.info and Hike With Ryan
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
There is almost no shade and heat builds fast on the sandstone. The BLM also suggests a light long-sleeved shirt and long pants.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety and Hike With Ryan
Grippy trail shoes or hiking shoes
The route switches between loose sand and slickrock. Hikers say soft or worn soles feel sketchy on the rock, and trail runners or hiking shoes that fit well work for most people.
From Hike With Ryan and HikingGuy
A space blanket for shade
If you stay through the middle of a hot day you need shade, and one photographer props a space blanket on hiking poles or rocks to make some.
From thewave.info
A flashlight for the walk out at dusk
Small BLM signposts along the return route glow when a flashlight hits them, which helps photographers who stay for late light find the way back.
From thewave.info
A camera and tripod
Photographers time The Wave for about an hour after sunrise, shoot the Second Wave in late afternoon, and keep the tripod out on the walk back.
From thewave.info
Food, water and clothing for a night out
The BLM asks visitors to carry enough to stay overnight if something goes wrong, and to keep extra supplies in the car.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety
6 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on The Wave
Too little water in summer
Summer heat has killed hikers here. Guides say to leave before dawn, carry more than you expect to drink, and not go at all when it is too hot.
From HikingGuy, thewave.info and Hike With Ryan
Relying on footprints in the sand
Footprints help in the sandy wash but disappear on the rock, which is where hikers lose the route.
From HikingGuy
A phone as your only lifeline
Service is unreliable. Leave your plan with someone at home before you go.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety
Gear questions for The Wave
How much water should I bring to The Wave?
At least a gallon (3.75 liters) per person, the BLM minimum, and more in summer. There is no drinking water anywhere on the route.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety and thewave.info
Do I need a GPS to hike to The Wave?
You need some reliable way to navigate, because there is no marked trail. The BLM asks hikers to carry a map and compass or a GPS they can actually use, and most carry a downloaded track plus the BLM's photo map.
From Bureau of Land Management: Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety and HikingGuy
What shoes are best for The Wave hike?
Shoes with good grip for both sand and slickrock. Trail runners or light hiking shoes that fit well are what most hikers we read wear.
From Hike With Ryan and HikingGuy
Is it safe to hike The Wave in summer?
Only with care. July highs average about 101 degrees and people have died of heat here. Start before dawn, carry extra water and shade, and turn back if it is too hot.
From thewave.info and HikingGuy
Sources
- Coyote Buttes North, The Wave (permits) · Bureau of Land Management · Agency
- Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South Road Conditions and Safety · Bureau of Land Management · Agency
- Coyote Buttes and The Wave · thewave.info · Blog
- The Wave Hike Guide · HikingGuy · Blog
- The Wave Hike in Arizona: Permit Lottery and Packing Tips · Hike With Ryan, Ryan Robinson · Blog