Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Duration: 9 Hours

Difficulty (1-10): 3

Departure Times: Year-round: 8am  

Recommended Abilities: Uneven footing, and small elevation changes make this terrain slightly difficult. The distance is short and at your discretion 1-2 miles.

Permit Required: No special permit is required for this tour.

*Tour Prices include all sales taxes & base guide gratuities.

Description

Unique compositions are literally found every few steps in this world-class photographic wonderland. You won’t want to leave.

Our White Pocket Tour in extreme Northern Arizona guides you through a gnarled expanse laid bare right at the transition between the white and reddish orange sandstone. It has twists, multi-color striations of white, yellow, red, orange, and pink, pock marks and pools that sometimes fill with water, mushroom like protrusions, strange bulges that look like brains, polygonal fracturing, and wave-like features. The processes that have given yield to these bizarre rock formations stump even expert geologists. Some think that the area was liquefied in an ancient earthquake which distorted the sandstone layers while they were still soft, before they were buried under the oceans for 100 million years and turned to stone under the enormous heat and pressure.

FAQ´s

1. How much hiking will I have to do at White Pocket?

We usually walk around 2-4 miles at White Pocket. This trip is easy to customize where less challenging routes can be chosen while those who are more adventurous may hike on steeper sections of rock or scramble to the tops of buttes. There is no marked trail at White Pocket. We will be walking on uneven sandstone so good balance and surefootedness is needed. At the very minimum, guests must be able to walk 250 yards across soft sand to get to a view of the formation. There is no way to see White Pocket from the car.

2. Do I need permits to see White Pocket?

No, permits are not required at White Pocket at this time.

3. How much time is spent driving vs. hiking at White Pocket?

This is a 9-hour tour and the drive to White Pocket takes between 2-2.5 hours from Kanab. We spend 3.5-4 hours at White Pocket hiking and eating lunch. We may also make brief stops along the route at viewpoints and places of interest.

4. Are there bathrooms on this tour?

There are no facilities of any kind at White Pocket. Depending on the route we take to White Pocket, we may stop at a flushable toilet or a pit toilet on our way there and on the way back to Kanab. Once at White Pocket, you may duck behind a tree or bush for privacy whenever necessary. All solid waste should be packed out and our guides carry WAG bags for this purpose, as well as toilet paper, hand wipes and plastic bags. Do not leave any trash on the ground. This is a wilderness area and must be kept pristine. Paper must be bagged up and can be discreetly discarded into the trash bag at the truck.

5. Are drones allowed on this tour?

Yes, but only directly above the formation as the area around White Pocket is wilderness! There is opportunity for incredible drone footage at White Pocket. When operating a drone on tours, please be mindful of other guests on the tour and other hikers who may be in the area. People seek remote locations for the solitude. Please do not fly drones close to other people and limit the amount of time the drone is in the air. Always follow instructions from your guide.