Reddirtdawg

Like Bill H....I also only skimmed all the above answers, so sorry if some of this is repetitious ~ but would like to add just a little info here about what I did read.

spirobulldog made mention of getting the 'in person' or 'walk-in' permits for The Wave....these are no longer available.

I came across this info regarding the walk-in permits no longer being issued at the Paria Ranger Station. The official BLM website also indicates this change. Just a heads up in case you show up at the Paria RS trying to get yourself a 'walk in' permit that day.

"Effective November 16, 2011 permits will be issued one day in advance year-round in Kanab at the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM) visitor center. The address is 745 E. Highway 89, the phone number is(435) 644-4680. The visitor center is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM seven days a week. The visitor center is on the North side of Highway 89 as you head east towards Page just after the Kanab City Cemetery. If you pass the Comfort Inn you've gone too far. From March 15 to November 15 permits will be issued every day of the week excluding national holidays. During the winter months (November 16-March 15) weekend and Monday permits will be issued on Friday. The lottery in Kanab is held at 9 AM Utah time."

Valley of the Gods is a great place to visit....I was just there last month for the Balloon Festival ...here is what VOTG looks like at sunrise ~
http://www.flickr.com/photos/reddirt...ream/lightbox/

Now as far as Bill H mentioning Cedar Mesa for hiking....he is right....best place in the area for hiking to many Anasazi ruins. Trails of ALL kinds....many of which are short easy hikes. Not just on Cedar Mesa but near Bluff, UT on Comb Ridge also.

He is mistaken though about not having to have a permit on the BLM land. You DO have to get a 'Day Use' permit to hike there. Easy to get....here is the info for that ~
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/monti...and_cedar.html

He is a link to more info about that area around Cedar Mesa / Bluff and Blanding. There are many short hikes to ruins to right off of Hwy 95 which is between Natural Briges NM and Blanding. One of those ruins is called 'Flaming House' and is the photo at the top of my site here ~
http://www.beyondmesaverde.com/

Since you also visiting Moab.....there are many short hikes there also 'Corona Arch' http://www.flickr.com/photos/reddirt...ream/lightbox/
'False Kiva' http://www.flickr.com/photos/reddirt...ream/lightbox/

Here is another link for more ruins.....some of which are also in the Moab area ~
http://www.theanasazi.com/

No matter what you end up doing.....it will be a trip you will never forget.

spirobulldog

Maybe I'm reading something wrong. Maybe just a different location? But----

You can still do the walk-in. I just copied this from the BLM site. Here is the link and directions that follow.
http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsma...s/permits.html

Walk-in permit procedures:

Be at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah (745 E. Highway 89 in Kanab Utah across from Walkers gas station and Wendy’s restaurant) before 9am Mountain Standard Time -Utah- (9am Daylight Savings Time in summer).
Walk-in permits must be paid with either cash or by checks. No credit cards can be accepted.
If there are 10 persons or less seeking permits, you will be issued one on the spot for the next day.
If all ten permits were not issued the previous day, a same day permit may be available.
If there are more than 10 persons seeking a permit, there will be a drawing for the next day's 10 open slots.
Only one person per group may enter the drawing.
If you receive a walk-in permit, you must wait two weeks before you can re-enter the drawing.
Walk-in permits for Coyote Buttes South will be issued through the walk-in lottery process as described above when necessary.

spirobulldog

And since this post is about a year old did Hawksbill ever do a trip report?

Bill_H

(Bill_H) is mistaken though about not having to have a permit on the BLM land (on Cedar Mesa). You DO have to get a 'Day Use' permit to hike there.

reddawgdirt, thanks for the correction ... I haven't been up there on the mesa in a few years and when I was last up there I only had to get a permit for Grand Gulch, so thanks for the update.

spirobulldog made mention of getting the 'in person' or 'walk-in' permits for The Wave....these are no longer available.

Sounds like they are still available but at the main office in Kanab instead of at the ranger station near White House trailhead, right? This is how it used to be done in the winter (had to go to Kanab), now it seems like they are making you do it all year round for some reason.

dreamkat

They have built a new Grand Staircase Escalante visitor center in Kanab and will be doing the lottery from the new facility year round. I believe the change occurred because of the lack of accommodations near the Paria ranger station and numerous complaints from hikers camping out and trying to win the lottery. Dreamkatchers Bed & Breakfast in Big Water, Utah is still a great place to stay near the Wave
(if you have your lottery ticket) and there are endless hiking opportunities in the surrounding National Monument and the Glen Canyon Recreation Area. Check out Dreamkatchers website for more info - www.dreamkatcherslakepowell.com