We toured White Pocket on our recent two week adventure through the Southwest. A full trip report is in the works but here is a quick description of the time at White Pocket.
The rigs are EV-2 (Jeep rubicon) + trailer, and a 1 ton Dodge + Lance cab-over camper.
We checked in at the Paria Contact station, just to verify local conditions. The host asked if I knew the route and I said yes. When I described we were going through Poverty Flat, she advised against it due to deep sands. The southern route was highly advised. I asked her to compare the Wave to White Pocket. "The Wave is, well... the Wave, but White Pocket is just plain FUNKY". A strange description to be sure, but it intrigued us more.
Our plan was to park the camper at the Stateline Campground and take the Jeep + trailer in and camp at the trailhead. (BTW, the Stateline Campground is very well maintained.) The southern route road conditions were excellent so we decided to take the camper in as far as we could. At Pine Tree Pocket (Ranch House) the sand started getting too deep for the the camper. We decided to backtrack a bit to get to a great campsite. (A rock formation that (to me) looks like a big gnome.) Instead of just parking the camper there, we decided to set-up base camp and do a day trip into White Pocket the next day.
The next day it took just over an hour to make it to the trailhead. Loose sand is the only obstacle on the road. I air'd down and had no problem in the Jeep. My humble opinion is that a 4x4 SMB with 20-30 psi would have no problem with the conditions we encountered. If you have winch, there are lots of pull-points along the route.
Upon arrival at the trailhead we met a private guide who was shepherding a photographer around. The first thing she said was "welcome to my lunar landscape". A FUNKY Lunar Landscape, "can't wait" The hike from the trailhead to the fun takes only a few minutes. Upon cresting a few sand dunes, White Pocket exposes itself. "Funky" may not be the best description, but then I am not sure I have a better one. Its awesome. Every little turn exposed something entirely different. From waves of red and white sandstone, to geometric monoliths, small plant strongholds, wet and dry ponds, and just plain weird outcroppings. Maybe a geological fart?
The snapshots below surely do not do it justice. I hope someone with much better skills will post some shots.
We detoured a little on the way back to see a nearby arch (remnant). This was on the road back to Poverty Flat. As advised, the sand was much deeper on this route then the southern one. We took a few more detours on the way back to camp. (There are quite a few side roads to explore.)
So if you are ever in the area of the Vermillion Cliffs, make White Pocket a stop. Its well worth it. (Coordinates available upon request.)