White Pocket 2.0

White Pocket is a spectacular exposure of red, pink and white contorted sedimentary rock layers.  The rocks have been swirled and deformed into beautiful shapes, and there is evidence of ancient burrowing insects and spiders.

​There is a GPS - gpx file at the bottom of the page.

Layers, swirls and folds

There is a graded road from US 89A south of Fredonia to House Rock Road.  We took this road because we were staying in Kanab.  It is a pleasant drive that takes about an hour.  You can start the run from House Rock Road if you are not coming from the west.

Looking back toward Kanab

In the hills near House Rock Road

We ran this trail in a clockwise direction but it can be done either way.

There is an old ranch at Poverty Flat that has quite a bit of old stuff around - sometimes it has extra old stuff around!  There are several of these pumps and derricks in the area.  We are not familiar with the area but think they may be pumping water.

Old stuff at Poverty Flat ranch

Pump under derrick

Most roads east of House Rock Road are sandy.  4WD required.  The northern one has the deepest sand.  

​There are interesting teepee formations on the way to White Pocket.  

Sand in roads

Teepee formations

Different colors and shapes.

Cross grains and long bands.

190 million years ago this area was part of a region covered with deep, shifting sand and complex dunes comparable to the modern day Sahara Desert.  At that time, periods of monsoonal moisture supported plant and animal life.  Organisms left evidence of their existence in this area in bio-turbated beds.  This is caused by the mixing of sediments by ancient burrowing insects and spiders.

​If you leave and go south on House Rock Road you can stop at a condor release site.  Very interesting and worth a stop.

Bio-turbated beds

Condor release site

Updated 2017.

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