1166 October 17, 2024 White Pocket
After our morning exercise, we set out for White Pocket. We first learned of this Jeep ride from the German men we met in Cathedral Valley. This area is actually famous for the Wave. The Wave is a 6 mile hike that is limited to 20 hikers each day. In order to see the Wave, you have to go to the Community Center in Kanab and enter the lottery at 8:30am on the day that you wish to hike. Tickets are limited to minimize damage to the delicate sandstone structures. This Jeep trail, the White Pocket, requires no permits. Access to this site is limited to those with a high clearance 4WD vehicle. Far fewer people are able to visit this area. White Pocket is the 4WD alternative.
It was hard to get information and directions online. It seemed like the location of the White Pocket was somewhat protected and that it is not widely advertised. In Fredonia, we were able to get maps and directions.
We traveled north on 89 past Kanab. We had the Grand Staircase to the north and miles of empty desert to the south.
After 39 miles, we turned onto a dirt and gravel road; House Rock Valley Road. This was a great ride. We entered Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. To the left there were rusty red craggy cliffs and bluffs. To the right there were green and rolling hills dotted with junipers.
There were some dark clouds but we left those behind! There was a small chance of rain later in the day.
The road was largely gravel washboard with a short section of dry and deeply rutted clay. We do not plan to be here when it rains!
There were long miles of pretty scenery.
We saw a raven carrying a dead snake. We saw dozens of antelope ground squirrels.
We turned left at the horse corral.
Fortunately, our maps gave us mileage and road names/numbers! The signs in the park are all brand new. They really don’t want people to get lost in the maze of BLM roads that exist back there!
We stopped to look at these twin hoodoos. This would be a really sweet little camping spot but that was not on the agenda for today. Tim said that they looked like cow patties. I had a more romantic notion. The rock formations reminded me of Smith Island Cake. Back on the Eastern Shore of Maryland there is this island. They are known for their heavenly cake…10 thin layers separated by creamy frosting.
We passed through a section of deep sand and here is where that high clearance 4WD vehicle became necessary. There were also sections of sandstone. The driving was not technically difficult but we had to have the right machine!
We were 36 miles into the wilderness. We parked with about 6-8 other Jeeps and trudged 100 yards through deep and soft sand.
What awaited us at the end of the trail was stunning. The rock formations here are Navajo sandstone. Layers of sedimentary rock that has been eroded by water and wind over eons of time. White Pocket is different from all of the surrounding terrain. It is predominantly shades of white and grey and cream but there is red and pink and orange here as well. The rock are actually petrified sand dunes. There are whorls and curls and swirls and twists. It is an amazing natural masterpiece.
Tim climbed some of the higher domes. He climbed boulders and stood on the top. He went his way and I preferred the more low lying areas or the bunny slopes and I wandered there. Finally, I was completely content to sit on a rock and take it all in. The pictures are beautiful but the videos are better. They give a better perspective of what it was actually like to be there surrounded by this really cool creation.
I noticed that the domed rocks were covered in a pattern of mostly pentagons. This is known as “elephant skin weathering.” These patterns form as a result of temperature changes…but why pentagons??? Interesting!
Are these signs of ancient life??? Tim thought he recognized sand dollar remains. I thought I could see shrimp like shapes and evidence of wormlike creatures…who knows?!?
We drove back and headed south toward 89A to make a giant loop. This ride took us through Kaibab National Forest. There is some privately owned ranch property out here.
Close to the pavement, we stopped at the Condor Viewing Site at Vermillion Cliffs. There were no birds visible with the naked eye. The guys out in the field had some pretty sophisticated equipment and they were watching the giant birds.
We had a few raindrops on our way back to the RV and we saw a piece of a rainbow.
We have had a great time here in Fredonia. We have seen a lot and there is a lot more that we did not see. We need to move on. The winter weather advisory begins tomorrow!