Boneyard

The Boneyard should be your first destination of the day at the North Coyote Buttes. The very first light of the day will give you the perfect setting to shoot this remarkable spot. However, its special beauty comes with a price. To be there at sunrise you will have an early start in your day.

The hike from Wire Pass trailhead to the Boneyard is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) long. It might take you some 90 minutes to get there as you start the hike in complete darkness. The beginning of the walk is easy. The trail is visible and follows the Coyote Wash eastbound. After 0.6 miles (850 m) the trails leaves the wash and climbs up a hill, to descent afterwards into another wash which is to be crossed. That was the easy part of the hike as from now on the ground is predominantly rock. There are no cairns to guide you through the wilderness. The images on the BLM flyer, which are supposed to guide your way to the Wave, will be worthless in the darkness. The overall directions sound easy as you have to climb that rocky hill eastbound and than turn south. From this turning point you hike almost one mile (1.6 km) to reach the point (37.003011, -112.006935) where your hike will differ from what the BLM flyer gives you. Instead of walking down the slope into the wash ahead you turn SSW. From here on you can use my map. To your left will be Sand Cove Wash and to your right the crest of the mountain. You still have 0.8 miles (1.1 km) to go until you reach the Boneyard (36.995545, -112.013148) just in time to get ready for the sunrise.

If dodging through the dark wilderness is a real challenge for you and you can have an additional person on your permit – contact me. I will be more than happy to help you get there safely in the darkness of the night.

Last update: July 18, 2017