{"id":2498,"date":"2013-12-08T06:37:48","date_gmt":"2013-12-08T06:37:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/bryce-canyon-in-the-snow-copy\/"},"modified":"2022-09-26T03:09:45","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T03:09:45","slug":"white-pocket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/white-pocket\/","title":{"rendered":"White Pocket"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Located along the Arizona\/Utah border and within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is a field of twisted and colorful sandstone known as White Pocket.<\/strong> This area has become more popular to visit recently due to its proximity to another place with twisted sandstone called The Wave, as well as all the other crazy sandstone features found in North and South Coyote Buttes. White Pocket is equally as beautiful and has it’s own unique features and colors compared to those in Coyote Buttes.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n \n \"YouTubeWhitePocket\" <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n
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Trip Specs<\/h3> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Attractions<\/h3>\n
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  • Colorful, swirling sandstone<\/li>\n
  • Unusual geology<\/li>\n
  • The vast Paria Plateau<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
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    Length<\/h3>\n
    \n Drive: 25 miles dirt road one-way\nHike: 2-3 miles roundtrip <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
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    Difficulty<\/h3>\n
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    • High clearance 4WD required<\/li>\n
    • Deep sand – air down tires<\/li>\n
    • Very remote area<\/li>\n
    • Phone services limited<\/li>\n
    • No services<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
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      Elevation Gain<\/h3>\n
      \n ~100 feet (minimal) <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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      Latest Updates<\/h3>\n

      This section lists any latest news and conditions about visiting White Pocket that we know of.<\/p>\n

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      • 2022 August<\/span><\/strong> – The section of House Rock Valley Road between Hwy US 89 in the north and the Arizona\/Utah state border in the south has been heavily damaged by several thunderstorms. The road is very rough – much rougher than normal. As suggested in the video, begin your trek to White Pocket from US 89A to avoid this section of House Rock Valley Road.<\/li>\n
      • 2022 June<\/strong><\/span> – Increased visitation to White Pocket over the past few months, along with tourists that are not versed in driving in deep sand, have caused the access road between the ranch and the White Pocket trailhead to be clogged at times as vehicles have no way to pass other vehicles that are stuck.<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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        Introduction<\/h3>\n

        We first learned about White Pocket in 2010 while visiting the BLM visitor center in St. George, Utah.\u00a0 Being photographers, we first asked about The Wave.\u00a0 The very helpful staff at this facility explained the process where only a limited number of permits are issued per day and on some days, there are hundreds<\/i> of people for those limited permits!\u00a0 The staff then told us about another place that\u2019s not too far from The Wave that is just as spectacular and doesn\u2019t require a permit.\u00a0 The catch is that it requires a good 4WD vehicle with an experienced driver and someone with sharp navigational skills.\u00a0 It is even labeled on most maps \u2013 White Pocket.<\/p>\n

        When we first visited White Pocket around 2012, it was a navigational challenge. There were many turns to make. You had to have a good map showing the latest road numbers to find your way. There also were not many people out there to ask directions or make it obvious you’re headed the right way.<\/p>\n

        For the last five years, White Pocket has become more popular and the BLM has placed many signs pointing the way, so it is much easier to find. Plus, because of the increased vehicle traffic on the road, the deep sand has been compacted down more and the sharp rocks have been smoothed out. However, vehicles still get stuck in the deep sand and tires still get shredded on sharp rocks, so using a 4WD high-clearance vehicle is still required.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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