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| Hiking | 3.27 Miles |
550 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.27 Miles | 2 Hrs 16 Mns | | 1.54 mph |
| 550 ft AEG | 9 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Headed out to the White Pocket area on Friday afternoon despite ominous weather reports. In fear of muddy roads and fierce wind, we chose to camp in a turnout just past the Trailhead for double barrel arch on Pine Tree Road (Blm 1017 road) instead of nearer to white Pocket. We also wanted some trees as a wind block. It turns out the weather gods were with us, though, and despite it being very cold at night, we avoided all precipitation except the rain on our drive in.
As expected, the drive to white Pocket was sandy, but very well used. I went with 2 other people who had each last had been to the Trailhead about 10 years ago. They said the road is much changed due to the increased use. That formerly it was a double track with very fine sand. Now the road is very wide in places, and while sandy, it is not the fine sand that you see on the way to hole in the rock and beyond. Also, the center can be quite high due to the deep ruts. The first parking lot at white Pocket is very large. I counted 20 trucks at the Trailhead mid morning when we arrived and about that same number when we departed a few hours later. It was a Jeep and Forerunner party with a few trucks sprinkled in. People are coming and going, and there are a number of tours, too. For less crowding, don't come on a weekend! The second parking area is considerably smaller and had about 5 vehicles in it.
Despite all the people, white Pocket is a big area, and it is possible to get some solitude here and there. The White Pocket area is beautiful! I've been wanting to go there for such a long time but didn't have the correct vehicle to get me there. It turns out that I still don't... I need to replace my stock tires with off road appropriate tires. 4wd and high clearance is not enough. Given my slipping and sliding on the way to our campsite, I left my jeep at the campsite, and we took 2 Forerunners with off road tires to white Pocket and beyond.  . I think my jeep would have made it just fine from house rock valley road to Pine tree pocket ranch. Pine Tree road/Blm 1017 is in good shape. It is only on Blm roads 1087 and 1086 where the severe sandiness starts.
I really enjoyed all the colors and rock formations in white Pocket. What a magical place!   Next time I will come back mid week in hopes of more solitude and less instagram staging!!
We ended up having perfect weather with sun, cooler temperatures, and not too much wind! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
. I think my jeep would have made it just fine from house rock valley road to Pine tree pocket ranch. Pine Tree road/Blm 1017 is in good shape. It is only on Blm roads 1087 and 1086 where the severe sandiness starts. 
Next time I will come back mid week in hopes of more solitude and less instagram staging!!
