Coyote Buttes In Vermillion Cliffs National Monument — Panorama by kenne
— Ansel Adams
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (03-21-12) — Image by kenne
This remote and unspoiled 280,000-acre monument is a geologic treasure with some of the most spectacular
trails and views in the world. The monument contains many diverse landscapes, including the Paria Plateau,
Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon. The monument borders Kaibab National Forest to the west
and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east. The monument includes the Paria Canyon-Vermilion
Cliffs Wilderness. Elevations range from 3,100 to 7,100 feet. The monument is also home to a growing number
of endangered California condors. Each year, condors hatched and raised in a captive breeding program are
released in the monument. To visit the monument, you’ll need extra planning and awareness of potential
hazards. Most roads need a high clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle due to deep sand.
— Source: The Bureau of Land Management
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument — Panorama by kenne
— kenne
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument In Northern Arizona — Image by kenne
—Anonymous
Coyote Buttes Panorama (April 2012) — Image by kenne
The Wave (March 2012) — Image by kenne
Coyote Buttes (March 2012) — Image by kenne
The first time I saw images of The Wave was in National Geographic some years ago and concluded if I every had a chance to go I would not pass it up. That chance came in March of 2012. The Wave and Coyote Buttes are located in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona. The hiking conditions in Vermillion Cliffs are harsh and can be very difficult depending on the weather. The trails are poorly marked, so it’s very easy to get lost. Our guide was a hiking friend from Tucson who had hiked the area several times before, so getting lost was not an issue. Click here to see more of my images in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
kenne
The Wave In Vermilion Cliffs National Monument (March 21, 2012) — Image by Kenne
— kenne
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument Located on the Colorado Plateau in Northern Arizona — Image by kenne
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
words and music by Woody Guthrie
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me
I’ve roamed and rambled and I’ve followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me
The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me
As I was walkin’ – I saw a sign there
And that sign said – no tress passin’
But on the other side …. it didn’t say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
In the squares of the city – In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office – I see my people
And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.
The Wave — Image by kenne
While hiking The Wave last month, I was not only taking photos, but also some video — from which I have created a trip video, “Hiking The Wave — Let’s Do It.” Enjoy!
kenne
Image by kenne
When hiking in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument a couple of weeks ago, we only saw one wildflower along the trail. It is a beautiful, but desolate area. The soft nature of this plant was a welcome site as it was spotted near the end of out day long hike in the land of sand and sedimentary rocks.
kenne
We all know the story of the guy behind the camera — he/she is never in the picture. If you have visited this blog, you know that most of the last posts have included photos taken of our trip to the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, specifically to experience and photo The Wave. There are still some I will be sharing of our return hike to the trailhead.
As we were hiking back from The Wave, there was a couple that were in The Wave while we were there, setting out to return about the same time as we. As we hiked together on the return hike, we were asked if we would like a group photo — so I abided by giving her my camera, with a few basic instructions, of course. With my camera in hand, this woman suddenly became Susan Sontag. All I can say is that I’m glad my camera is digital, not film. Here’s a short video of her photos.
— kenne
Images by kenne
Wave Images by kenne
As promised in earlier posting on our trip the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Coyote Buttes and the Wave located there in, this is the posting that contains some of the seventy photos taken in the Wave. Admittedly, the colors vary because of lighting, as with any photo, but dramatically so when the colors in the Wave are so dramatic. I took over 250 images, which represent a photo treasure in which to return in the future.
Again, a big thank you to the group leader, Dean Perron and fellow hikers Susan Mayfield, Mary Frances Ruddick, Pat & Tom Markey. This was a hike of a lifetime!
Here’s the link to my Flickr photo set of the remaining photos — http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157629369434228/
kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 
For this land,
there must be
better leadership
for our tomorrows.
For this land,
there must be
protected lands
for the public.
For this land,
there must be
clean air
for the eagles to fly.
For this land,
there must be
protected heritage
for the Indians.
For this land,
there must be
sustainable development
for the desert west.
For this land,
there must be
environmental stewardship
for our children’s future.
For this land,
there must be
the union of
knowledge and wisdom.
— kenne
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