The White Pocket
The White Pocket (Arizona) is a superb photographic destination about five miles due East of South Coyote Buttes (Cottonwood Trailhead). The White Pocket is in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. The White Pocket was "discovered" by photographers about ten years ago. The name White Pocket actually refers to two areas. On the topo map there is a tall butte about 500 feet high that can be seen for miles around. This butte is the "official" White Pocket. The term also refers to the area of white and coral brain rock to the east of the butte. This area has many water pockets which probably accounts for the name, and is the area of photographic interest. The area is small, perhaps a square mile. At sunrise the best light can be blocked off by some cliffs to the east, although the White Pocket Butte will light up beautifully. I prefer the light at sunset, and you can shoot quite late since it is only .5 miles back to your car from almost anyplace in the area. The White Pocket is at its best just after a rainfall when the pockets are full of water. Of course you may not be able to get there then! When the pockets are full of water you may find hundred of tadpoles and tadpole shrimp in them. While you are at the White Pocket you should consider visiting "Hole in the Rock" arch which is a short drive away. Hole in the Rock arch gets very few visitors so if you go there make sure someone knows where you are going. Bring plenty of water should your car get stuck. Also bring a shovel as the roads are very sandy. No permit is needed for the White Pocket, and cattle can roam freely as of July 2010.
Directions
It is quite difficult to get to the White Pocket, and a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle is definitely needed due to deep sand. The White Pocket is often combined with a trip to Coyote Buttes South so I will give directions from there as well. Due to the bad roads after shooting at the White Pocket I strongly recommend camping at the trailhead overnight and driving out the next morning.
Best Route
If you are coming from the North take House Rock Road about 20 miles to BLM 1017 (called Pine Tree Road) on the google map below, in green. After about three miles bear right and continue on Pine Tree Road (in blue). 6.1 miles from the intersection with House Rock Road reset your odometer and turn left, you will soon reach a cattle gate. The general direction of the road you are traveling on is NNE. Go through the gate and continue 3.9 miles where you will bear left. Continue another 5.4 miles and you will see the White Pocket parking area on your left. From the parking area just head due West on the trail to the White Pocket.
Note for your return - 1.4 miles after you leave the White Pocket you will reach an intersection, bear left here to retrace your route. If you go right you will soon hit a steep up hill which could be troublesome for some cars. As of August 2011 the road is almost impassable in the uphill direction.
Route from Coyote Buttes South
From Pawhole take the "Shortcut" Road East from Pawhole 2.8 miles to Poverty Flat. The road is shown in red on the map. This road has a steep uphill near Pawhole and can be difficult in dry conditions. Then follow the Poverty Flat directions below.
From the Cottonwood Cove trailhead take the road in blue 2.4 miles South to Poverty Flat.
From Poverty Flat take the Red Road Northeast, then East 4.5 miles, then bear left and continue 1.4 miles to the White Pocket trailhead. This road has a steep downhill about 4 miles from Poverty Flat. The road is much easier to traverse going to the White Pocket than from it.
This page was last updated 8/21/2011