"W" is for White Pocket.

White Pocket is a remote area in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument that contains colorful, swirling sandstone formations, that could have you feeling like you are walking in a world of salt water taffy. Many people travel to this part of Arizona attempting to get a permit to hike The Wave and may not even know White Pocket exists despite it's close proximity to the popular Wave trail. 

I heard about White Pocket from another photographer I met while traveling in 2018, and it was on my wish list for 2 years before I made it there. 

Getting there: There are two options for travelling to White Pocket; through a guided tour, or on your own. Travelling to this destination is not for the faint of heart, so if you choose to go on your own, absolutely do not go unprepared. 

• Tours: There are many tour guides in the area that are more than happy to take you out to White Pocket and will make sure you arrive and depart safely. I found day tours, overnight tours, and photography workshops online with prices ranging from $175 to over $2,000 pp. 
• Self guided:
  • Requires navigating unsigned roads. The BLM office in Kanab can provide helpful instructions. 
  • Requires driving through deep sand:
    • Know how to drive in sand before you get here. This is not the place to learn. 
    • Be prepared to deflate your tires to increase the surface area while driving through sand, and re-inflate your tires when you get back to the dirt road. Aka: carry a good air compressor and pressure gauge.  
    • There is no cell coverage here. Be prepared to self rescue if you get stuck or get a flat. Carry track mats, shovel, spare tire, and a jack. 
  • Plan to spend about 1.5 hours driving each way, once you leave the highway. 

Fees and permits: There are no fees or permits required to access White Pocket. 

Recreation

• Hiking: There is no established trail. You can wander freely around the various formations. 
• Photography: This is a popular photography destination. I hope the photos I have posted here explain why. 
• Facilities: There is no food, water, restrooms, campsites of any kind out there. 

Best time to visit: Any time of year, but heavy rains can make the road impassable and summer can be brutally hot. 

Here are more photos from my trip to White Pocket:

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of White Pocket! I look forward to getting back out there one day. 

Stay tuned to see what "X" is for.