Introduction:
What? : Beautiful colorful rock formations in the middle of the Vermilion Cliffs desert.
Where?
: White Pocket located in the heart of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument right
on the Arizona Utah border; 4x4 high clearance vehicle is needed !
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 waive) or pay
any entrance fee.
Due
note 2: 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 be snow (as I had) but I do not think it is
getting a lot of snow. The sandy road section will be even in better conditions
after rain or snow.
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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 Rd.
From here take BLM road 1017 up east, this is 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.
Turn left on 1087 road, from this point you’ll be driving through deep sandy section, covering on/off the road.
The road is clear, you need to stay on
the main trail (Use GPS, even google map is good). Along the 8.3 miles you will
cross 2 cattle gate 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 can be from 1hr to 3 hrs.
Once done
you drive the way back. Plan to give this trip, drive in, hike and drive out, enough
time 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
Pictures:
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