White Pocket

Carol Freshley March 11, 2017

Variously described as 'a geological ice cream sundae melting in the sun', a 'fantasy landscape', 'twisted icing on a cake' or 'alien planet', White Pocket is a bucket list location for many photographers. It is located in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument near the Arizona/Utah border. It is not an easy location to reach but the heaving and dipping rock formations are worth every bump in the road to get there. Enjoy the images shared by five photographers. They even spent a very cold night in sub-freezing temperatures to capture an image of the Milky Way!

After a good monsoon rain or snowfall, water collects in pools.  With luck and calm winds, great reflections of the surrounding rock can be photographed. — After a good monsoon rain or snowfall, water collects in pools. With luck and calm winds, great reflections of the surrounding rock can be photographed.

Dave offers us an opportunity to get a dimensional perspective.

Am not sure, but this may be looking toward Coyote Buttes.

I have found some resources that describe a 'cauliflower' rock.  I can imagine that in this image. Plus, the ridges might be sandstone cross bedding.  If you are lucky you might go to White Pocket with Dave, a geologist with names for all … — I have found some resources that describe a 'cauliflower' rock. I can imagine that in this image. Plus, the ridges might be sandstone cross bedding. If you are lucky you might go to White Pocket with Dave, a geologist with names for all of this!

That must be an early morning photograph following a night of freezing temperatures.  Ice!! — That must be an early morning photograph following a night of freezing temperatures. Ice!!

I am told that Dave was generous in sharing his knowledge of photographing the Milky Way.  Thanks Dave! — I am told that Dave was generous in sharing his knowledge of photographing the Milky Way. Thanks Dave!

Before driving to White Pocket, the group stayed at the Cliff Dwellers' Lodge at Lee's Ferry.  There is a lot of history in this area and I recommend you check it out.  The Ferry is the historic crossing point and separates the lower and u… — Before driving to White Pocket, the group stayed at the Cliff Dwellers' Lodge at Lee's Ferry. There is a lot of history in this area and I recommend you check it out. The Ferry is the historic crossing point and separates the lower and upper Colorado River. It is the only place within 260 miles that allows passage across the steep canyon walls of the Grand Canyon. This is the Navajo Bridge at night, captured under a great photograph of the Milky Way.

The Navajo Bridge, built in 1995, is 467 feet above the Colorado River.

There are a number of California Condors that make their home near the Navajo Bridge.  Meet #54!  Condors do not get their characteristic red heads until they are three years old. — There are a number of California Condors that make their home near the Navajo Bridge. Meet #54! Condors do not get their characteristic red heads until they are three years old.

A very special thanks is given to the excellent photographers who made the trip, including a night in very cold temperatures, and then shared their best. If you would like to see more photographs of White Pocket you can use the search feature just below the Index to find other blog entries on White Pocket.

White Pocket and More

Carol Freshley October 3, 2016

David contributes some lovely photographs to our trip blog. He wrote: "Chris Lawler and I took another epic trip this weekend. These pictures are White Pocket sunrise and Wahweap Hoodoos. We backpacked 4 miles to Wahweap Hoodoos got some sunset and Milky Way pictures." Enjoy.

Dave and I both love photographing the Milky Way.  I have not done it for a while so I appreciate his efforts . . . and results. — Dave and I both love photographing the Milky Way. I have not done it for a while so I appreciate his efforts . . . and results.

White Pocket

Carol Freshley May 28, 2015

A short walk from the car on a sandy path and up a slight incline . . . you look over the landscape before you and if you breathe normally . . . well you won't! I had no idea where to start!

In the center of Dave's photo you can see the iconic 'oyster'.

With water I always want reflections.  Not so easy on this day. You can see the rain drops on the pond.  There were times we took turns holding a large umbrella so the other could shoot.  If it was not raining the wind picked up … — With water I always want reflections. Not so easy on this day. You can see the rain drops on the pond. There were times we took turns holding a large umbrella so the other could shoot. If it was not raining the wind picked up and churned the water's surface a bit. Once in a while some semblance of a reflection was possible.

Storms built up, passed by and then a few minutes of sun.  Most of the time we had the scene pretty much to ourselves.  Just before we left a group of about 20 people showed up. — Storms built up, passed by and then a few minutes of sun. Most of the time we had the scene pretty much to ourselves. Just before we left a group of about 20 people showed up.

A closer look at the whirling rock of the oyster.

Whew! A lot of photos! Let me digress. The trip from the paved highway to White Pocket does requires both a high clearance vehicle and one with four wheel drive. It takes a bit over an hour of slow, careful driving, mostly over sand, on a narrow road to get to the site. Signage is non-existant from what I could tell. That is probably one reason that so many people hire a guide. It is not that you would need help with photography or to be shown what to photograph. All of this is in a rather small area. You can't miss any of it. You just want to get there!

The drive to White Pocket is scenic with hints along the way of what awaits you when you arrive at the parking lot. There is a telephone booth rock! It is one place that you can stop and make a cell phone call!! I asked Dave how he knew that. He said that in passing by it he started getting alerts of new mail and messages. He checked. Sure enough, he had service. Fifty feet later it is gone!

We spent about 4 to 5 hours at White Pocket. Storms were still developing in the area when we left and returned to Jacob's Lake to get my car. Dave made the long drive home to Phoenix. I drove to Williams to spend the night with Greg and Ann. Thank you Dave, for sharing this treasure, for driving, for having great optimism when it counted. I want to go back. Next time we will shoot the Milky Way.