White Pocket Arizona
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in 360 Degrees
For your nature fix today, I have a tricky place to get to called White Pocket, Arizona. The deep sand make getting here very tricky, but the reward at the end is fabulous. For those that can't make it here, don't be sad. I have a great virtual version on OculusTV or YouTubeVR that includes a beautiful sunset time lapse.
White pocket is one of the most unique places. The center is a white hilly area that many call the brain center, for it has a shape similar to a brain. On the edges it has fabulous white and red areas mixed with bright yellows all in crazy cool shapes that are amazing. I would love to talk to a geologist or The Creator himself about how this area has been formed for it is mind blowing. We even found rock formations called "Dinosaur Eggs" for that is exactly what they look like. If you are feeling the need of a positive boost, pair this VR experience with a nice deep breath of Cyprus oil, and let the combo rise those "Feel Good" chemicals in your body.
To transport yourself here virtually, just grab a VRHeadset. For Oculus, here is the link https://www.oculus.com/experiences/media/1100853430328090/. You can also view in YouTubeVR https://youtu.be/IPYdTk8ml54, or download using the Oculus portfolio link.
VR Trailer for White Pocket
YouTubeVR Link
360 Trail at White Pocket
What Makes White Pocket So Unique?
As I walked into White Pocket, I marveled that this hidden gem was so dramatically different from anything I had ever seen before. You honestly feel as if you have stepped onto a foreign planet. The ground is a whitish grey rock divided into small shapes with the center of each shape being higher than the edges. I was thinking pant pockets when I heard the name, but it is more like a quilt I made where I made little shapes and the stuffed each one before sewing them together. Then as you think you have this area figured out you turn a corner and you are hit with vibrant yellow colored rocks, and then vibrant reds and white swirled rocks in the most unique and crazy shapes. Fantastic area.
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| White Pocket Whitish Grayish Rocks with seams that are puffed up in the middle. |
Sometimes in life we cross paths with people that feel different or strange to us. I have read from many sources of those that have died and come back to life, that as a spirit as you look on someone you are filled with an understanding of why a person is the way they are, and that understanding leads to a wealth of empathy. As we struggle with a person, may we pray for a small piece of that understanding and empathy so that we can show kindness when frustration is such an easier path. If we someone can tap into that we will see there is amazing beauty in them just as there is amazing beauty in this strange and wonderful place.
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| How did that tree grow in the middle of White Pocket Whitish Grayish Rocks? |
As we entered the park into the main White Pocket area by the park, we looked up and noticed 2 men up on top of the hill created by all those white pocket humps. As I meet them later they were eager to help take me down into the amazing water channel below.
I went down into this area with that father and son. He scampered down and climbed up into that circular swirl area in the top right wanting me to take video and pictures of him. I was shocked he went from me to up in that circular formation in no time at all. Then he hurried up to the top and helped me down into this gulch. Such a nimble quick sure footed fellow. I video taped it with his phone, and I am a little sad I don't have a copy of it.
As you descend into the gulch there is a green moss growing on the right hand side.
My Favorite Gulch in White Pocket Arizona Vermillion Cliffs Area.
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| My most favorite spot in White Pocket, is this cool Gulch where water has created the most gorgeous formation. |
360 Trail around White Pocket
As you descend into the gulch there is a green moss growing on the right hand side.
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| Moss growing down in the gulch area in White Pocket. |
360 walk around the base of the Gulch.
As I came back out of the Gulch, I looked up and up there on a rock is my hubby Todd!
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| Finding Todd after climbing out of the gulch. Great spot he found to take the 360 drone shot below. |
He had been flying his drone getting some amazing 360 drone shots like the one below. This 360 shot is from where he is standing above.
Another cool area that has these cool White and Red striped rocks that is not difficult like the Wave to get into is Zebra Slot. It also has fascinating rocks similar to this on a gorgeous hike.
GETTING TO WHITE POCKET
White pocket is on the Utah Arizona Border. There are 2 routes to get to white Pocket the route in from Arizona is better for the length of dirt roads coming in from the north is sometimes rough, and if it has been wet and there is someone in the area not really capable of the really tough drive, it can plug up anyone else getting through. If you come in from the south, it is only tough on the last section through the deep sand.
After I came back out of the gulch I wandered up into the White Pocket stone areas and found this interesting U shape in the rocks. I decided to head up and explore this area.
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| U shape formation in the White Pocket mounds. |
I was so delighted with what I found. Up in the base of that U shape was this cute pond that was iced over up high in the White Pocket mounds.
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| Cool Pond I found nestled in the top of White Pocket. When the rain comes the pond becomes a waterfall descending over the cliff. |
360 Trail on the Brain Center of White Pocket
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| Look out over the edge to see the path the waterfall flows during a storm. |
WARNING: DO NOT HEAD HERE WITHOUT 4x4 VEHICLE and TIRE PUMP ELECTRIC AIR COMPRESSOR
If you are thinking about traveling here, you need to be forewarned that this place is only accessible in a 4x4 vehicle, and for those experienced driving in deep sand. It is easier to access this area from the Southern Arizona entrance especially in there has been rain and the roads are wet. It is also important to know the tricks to traveling in the sand. If you get stuck driving in the sand, you must get out and release the pressure in you tires to the extremely low pressure of about 18psi. This will allow you tires to help you make it through the sand. Before getting on a main road again, you have to have a handy electric pump that you can hook up to your vehicle or a generator to re pump up your tires. It might be a little bit easier to drive these roads when it is cold and the ground is a bit frozen, but if there are any dry spots, it still will take smarts to get through and decide when to get into the ruts and when to stay away for the wrong ruts can easily shred your tires.
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| Walk around the Backside of White Pocket. Shapes of the rocks become almost Alien looking. |
360 Walk around the Backside of White Pocket.
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| Almost Alien Looking Formations on the Backside of White Pocket |
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| Backside of White Pocket with its Crazy Shapes. |
We headed into this area close to Kanab, Utah. There are actually many amazing hikes close to the Kanab Area. Here is a link to many places this area has to offer.
Interesting Yellow Formations on the North side of the Main White Pocket and below is a cool 360 Ariel shots of a cool yellow HooDoo.
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| A picture on the North side of White Pocket. |
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| Me by my favorite formation in White Pocket. _______________________________________________ OTHER HIKES IN THIS AREA YOU WOULD ALSO LOVEWAH WEAP HOODOOS close by White PocketAnother hike that we LOVED in this area is the Wah Weap Hoo Doos. It was an incredible place.Post on the Wah Weap HooDoos 
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The TeePees and Wire Pass are also Very Incredible.
Both start from the same trailhead even though they are so very different.
and
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If you Drive through PARIA on the way to this White Pocket, then a quick look at Cat-stair Canyon and the Stacked Cars and Petroglyphs is a great stop. Of Course you Pass Bryce Canyon with the Amazing Peek A Boo Loop, Fairyland Loop, and Mossy Cave on the way to White Pocket. Also a great spot you stop and enjoy a hike or two.
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 Here are a few things that we don't leave home without on a 4 wheel drive adventure. |