This blog was done for us by Isabel, who sent it to us from Europe!

The very first time my husband Steffen went out there to explore the “great unknown” was in April 2005 together with landscape photographer Laurent Martrès and Tony Kuyper. By that time almost nobody ever heard of White Pockets. Since there were no maps and information available in the internet it wasn’t easy to find the right “sandy tracks” leading to that unexplored place near the Coyote Buttes Permit Area. And what a big surprise when road suddenly ended and they first set eyes upon White Pockets!

Tony whispered “Oh my goodness..:” over and over again. A wonderland made out of sandstone - so beautiful and almost too good to be true!

Here you can read the whole story about their first expedition to White Pockets. And you will find the directions with GPS-waypoints on our White Pockets Topomap.

We do consider the road leading through Paw Hole more dangerous because of the
steep sand hill. That’s why we recommend doing the trip through Corral Valley
and Poverty Flat. On your way back Paw Hole should be fine since in that direction
you will be able to “slide” downhill.

Two years later we keep visiting White Pockets. It is still a magical place, but things changed a lot lately:
Steffen has published an article on his website in May 2005 (available also in English),
in Summer 2005 pictures of White Pockets were shown in a free advertiser-supported
publication for visitors in Kanab and Laurent Martres’s Benjamin Franklin 2007
Awards winning guidebook “Photographing the Southwest: Vol.2 Arizona” was published in July 2006 - all of them attracting many photographers to this area.

By now there is a whole bunch of people visiting White Pockets every day during
Springtime and the Fall Season - mostly American photographers and German speaking
tourists.

Even guided tours are offered by at least three different Outfitters nowadays. The prices are high, but people are ready to pay for it. No wonder, because going out there all alone will always be tricky and a little risky as well. Not everybody will find it easy to drive 24 miles of dirt roads. In places the sand is really deep
and require very high clearance, good driving skills and of course a proper SUV.

Please don’t drive all alone out there, don’t forget to bring along a shovel and please don’t get stuck! It can happen very easily. Each month people get stuck in the deep sand and it’s a hard job to get the car running again. Towing fees in the remoteness of the Paria Wilderness are not what I would call “affordable”.

For all those who manage to get to White Pockets here some photo advices:

- You will need at least 2 hours to visit this area, far more if you do professional
photography!

- Try to be there in the evening or during the morning hours. Keep in mind that
it is the golden light that makes this special place even more special!

- Staying overnight is always
a good option!

- Don’t forget your wide angle lens at home. You might need it here!

- Consider getting some permits for the Coyote Buttes South Area, it is so close that you can easily combine both locations on a single weekend trip.

- And last but not least: If you live nearby or if you happen to be in Page,
AZ after some showers, try to go out there. You won’t be disappointed. All pools
filled with water, that’s truly a “time for reflection“. But be prepared the roads can be flooded as well!

Since my husband and I do both have a passion for photography, you’ll find our pictures on two different websites:
White Pocket
Gallery #1 and White Pockets Gallery #2.

But this Blog is not only a story about weird sandstone formations reflected in beautiful water pockets, it is
also a “story for reflection“:

Please keep in mind that although it may not appear so at first glance, White
Pockets is a fragile place. All those marvelous brainrocks were made out of
ancient sand dunes and can easily turn into sand again! Let us all be careful,
act responsible, respect nature and try to preserve this special places for
all the generations yet to come.

© 06.04.2007
Isabel Synnatschke

White Pocket is in Northern Arizona and a guide would be best for safety because it is remote with deep sand. The website at whitepockets.com invite groups to forward us their news to share here with our readers as well as at our outdoor recreation message board at