The Witch's Hat
Coyote Buttes South
The Witch’s Hat
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE WITCH’S HAT
I have visited many interesting locations in my travels, but few places compare to the unique shapes, colors, textures, and astonishing formations found in the Vermilion Cliffs area of Northern Arizona. For landscape photographers and adventurers, the Vermilion Cliffs offer some of the most unique scenes and photographic opportunities in the American Southwest. This area includes famous sites such as The Wave, White Pocket, Wire Pass, and Buckskin Gulch.
While Coyote Buttes North, commonly known as The Wave, and White Pocket attract the most visitors, there is a lesser-known section that remains largely undiscovered - Coyote Buttes South. This area features similar colors and formations to The Wave, which is just three miles away, as well as intriguing brain rock and colorful swirls found at White Pocket, located only seven miles away.
The image above, known as the Witch’s Hat, is just one of the many fascinating formations found in the lesser known area of the Vermilion Cliffs - called Coyote Buttes South.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH THE WITCH’S HAT SUMMARY
I rate the difficulty of this location as a 4 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most difficult). The hike to this location is a moderate 1 mile from the Coyote Buttes South parking area. However, the drive to this location is CHALLENGING to HARD, with deep sand and unmarked roads. You absolutely must have a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle to make this drive.
If you have a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle and large, wide tires, you should be able to reach Coyote Buttes without any issues. However, I recommend lowering your tire pressure to 15-20 psi to be safe.
Once you arrive at the Coyote Buttes South parking area, the hike is approximately one mile long. The first three-quarters of a mile is on sandy terrain, which can sometimes make the hike somewhat strenuous. Once you reach the sandstone formations of Coyote Buttes, the hiking becomes easier. You must scramble up several rock formations to get this shot's location.
The Witch's Hat is situated on a freestanding rock formation, and its appearance changes depending on the angle from which you view it.
Next to the Witch's Hat is a separate rock formation located 15 feet away and of similar height. This neighboring rock formation is the ideal spot for capturing stunning views. Most photographers typically position themselves by climbing to the front of this rock formation. However, the shot featured above was taken from the back of that rock formation while standing at the top and looking down. This angle helps eliminate the gap between the rock and the ground.
There is no rush when shooting at this location. Take your time to explore different positions to find the composition and profile that best suits your vision
The Witch's Hat can be photographed in various ways, and moving around the rock formation offers different perspectives. The image above was captured at 16mm.
5,783 ft Elevation Ft. Elevation
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KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
Other Resources
LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
