After we left Monument valley on day 2 we ended up camping at the Park Service camp ground at Lake Powell. We tried to head up higher near Cottonwood Canyon but it was a cold and WINDY afternoon.

After picking up a few supplies in Page we headed out for the top of the Paria Plateau. Our destination for the day was White pocket, a fantastic  location that we have visited in the past. Leaving the blacktop took use south on House Rock Valley Road, one of the many road in the area that should be avoided when wet.

To gain access to the plateau and trusting the FJ Cruiser to climb through the sand we took the Paw Hole Road. The BLM office recommends against this due to there being a long climb through deep sand. However, during our last visit we came this way with no problems.  We traveled past South Coyote Buttes heading east and deeper into Paria Plateau. Most of the tracks are part of the old network of ranches that cover the area  and require high clearance 4wd.

We arrived a White Pocket in the late afternoon and found another group already camping there so we went back up the trail about 1/2 mile to another established site. Once camp was setup we took some time to go view the spectacular formations of white pocket. I’ll let the photos tell the story here.

 

Back at camp it was time for a pleasant dinner and a relaxing evening for most. For me It was a little stressful with honey bees being all over the place and me being allergic to them. In Arizona honey bees can also bee Africanized and hive sites need to be avoided. (This year alone there have been 3 deaths in Arizona due to Africanized bee attacks)

With the full moon about to rise we stayed up and again visited White Pocket under the light of the full moon. The fantastic landscape became surreal with all the colors muted under the reflected light of the sun.

 

 

 Additional Photos