Introduction:
What? :
Amazingly beautiful colorful rock formations in the middle of the Vermilion Cliffs desert, right on the boarder of Arizona and Utah.
After rain, the rock are clean and with vibrant colors and there are many small pools that enable nice reflections of the rocks.
Although this location is remote and not easily accessible you will probably see here other visitors, on weekends expect to see more private jeep tours.
I revisit here during Oct. 2024 and I have another blog post with a lot more pictures:
White Pocket – Oct.2024 Visit Pictures
Where? :
White Pocket located in the heart of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument right on the Arizona Utah border;
Important Note: 4x4 high-clearance vehicle is a must for this drive!
Google Map Link
When? :
Better to plan the visit when it is not hot, but you can visit this place all
year because the hike itself is not long.
Due note 1:
This place located in the large Vermilion Cliffs National Monument which is BLM land.
You do not need to have any reservations (as for The Wave) or pay
any entrance fee.
Due note 2:
You MUST have 4x4 car with high clearance, if the road is extra sandy considered
reduce tire air pressure.
Due note 3:
Have a good map with you and GPS device, google map directions can be misleading the take you not through the main trails.
Know what you are doing, or you may
get into trouble deep in a remote desert.
Due note 4:
During winter it can snow here (I travel here when it snows the night prior) but I do not think it is getting a lot of snow.
The sandy road section will be in better conditions
after rain or snow.
the main dirt road that is connecting highway 89A to Highway 89 can be muddy after rain and impossible for non 4x4 cars.
Due Note 5:
No cell service, drinking water or restrooms.
Related Blogs:
My thoughts:
One of the most beautiful places I ever visited, the remote location, fun jeep drive in the sandy road only added to the unique experience.
I was amazed
by this place beauty and solitude. I spent there 3 hr exploring the landscape.
The
visit:
Driving Directions:
The drive starting point is on House Rock Valley Rd. on the boarder of Arizona and Utah.
This dirt road connect highway 89A in the south to highway 89 at the north.
This is the same dirt road that lead to Wire Pass Trailhead and Buckskin Gulch.
The dirt road is maintained and usually in very good condition but after rain it can become muddy in some section and you will need 4x4 car to drive here.
If you are coming from highway 89 you need to drive additional 11.8 miles south after Wire Pass Trailhead parking, you will see the clear turn left (east) into BLM road 1017 (Pine Tree Rd.).
If you are coming from highway 89A you need to drive north for 9.4 miles until you will see the clear turn right (east) into BLM road 1017 (Pine Tree Rd.).
In some "misleading" side roads you may see clear signs that "this is not the way to White Pocket".
From here take BLM road 1017 up east, this is relatively a good condition road and after 6.1 miles you will reach Pine Tree Pockets Ranch.
Pass the ranch and you will see a signed that will point you left to White Pockets.
Right after passing the ranch on your left you will see signs directing you to the right trail.
Turn left on 1087 trail, from this point you’ll be driving through deep sandy section, covering the road.
It is not supper technical or deep send dunes but you must have 4x4 drive for this section.
The road is clear, you need to stay on the main trail (Use GPS, even google map is good).
Along the 8.3 miles drive you will
cross cattle gate, keep driving until you will reach your destination parking lot on your
left.
From the
well-marked parking lot, you will need to walk few hundred feet to the west,
cross the sand dunes and you will see right in front of you the amazing white
pocket section.
Here you
can walk and explore the landscape, be amaze from the delicate rock layers,
twisted formations and amazing white, red and yellow colors.
Overall
visit duration and exploration of the White Pockets area can be from 1hr to 3 hrs.
Once done here you need to drive the same way back.
Plan to give this trip, drive in, hike and drive out, at list half a day.
There are
many other attractions in the surrounding Vermilion Cliffs.
Check the
below website links for more pictures, driving directions and other nearby attractions.
www:
https://www.thewave.info/WhitePocketCode/Map.html
https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/vermilion_cliffs/white-pocket.html
https://www.yourhikeguide.com/white-pocket/
Map:
https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/AZ%20White_Pocket_PDF.pdf
Additional Pictures:
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