Has Anyone Been to White Pocket in AZ?

[Kent10]

Has Anyone Been to White Pocket in AZ? Deep Sand!

Hi All:

In a couple of weeks I plan to take my family to White Pocket in Northwest Arizona. It looks to be a spectacular place and from what I have read a little difficult to get there because of the deep sand.

I have a 2011 TE (stock) and have driven a few trails so I have a little off road experience but not lots. The latest was "On Top of the World" near Moab, Utah. However, we walked the last mile or so because I had read that it was a little dangerous for stock vehicles. I saw a very nice lifted Salsa Red that did go all the way to the top.

I haven't driven in deep sand before and from the following article and others I have seen it is quite possible to get stuck.

White Pocket - Paria Plateau - Vermilion Cliffs National Monument - Arizona

I will call the BLM to check roads before we go.

I plan on airing down. I have Bridgestone Revo II LT Load E tires. Because they are LT tires I keep them inflated to around 45PSI. Will airing down to 20PSI be fine or what would you recommend for these LT tires. I worry about going too low.

I also plan on carrying a shovel and possibly some carpet or something like that if I can find something. I read about sand ladders but they are expensive.

I have read what I can about driving in deep sand... Keep momentum and don't spin tires or make sudden stops or turns. There are some hills so I will probably drive in 4Hi 1st gear. Some recommend 4Hi and others 4Lo.

I am a little nervous about the deep sand since I haven't done it before. Does anyone have any additional advice about deep sand or White Pocket.

Thanks very much, Kent

 

[gotama186]

White Pocket

White Pocket is great

I drove there early March year ago in my stock 2010 TE with BFG AT KO's. Had the same concerns as you beforehand, but in the the end the 4runner cruised it.

The article you linked to has a good map. I would strongly recommend that you take the furthest east route marked on the map ( red dotted line). We went in on the more westerly route (solid red line) through Poverty Flat - and though we got through OK, there is long hill descent near the end which I was slightly nervous about reascending on the way out.

We were lucky enough to meet some people at the campsite on arrival - and on their advice went back out on the much flatter easterly route. Using this route it was pretty straightforward. I was in 4lo most of the time and cruised along through the sand at about 15 - 20mph. I'm no expert 4 wheeler, but never felt like I was going to get stuck.

There are a couple of gates where you have to stop - but no problem getting going again.

I aired down to 20 psi.

It's a fantastic trip with an "out there" feel, not to be missed. PM me if you need more info.

Camp at Whitepocket in photo:

 

[Kent10]

Perfect info. Thanks so much gotama. This is exactly what I was looking for. Yes I saw that route with the red dotted line and it has been recommended several times so you have now confirmed this is the route I will take. I will still call the BLM just to be sure there is no updated info.

15-20mph sounds like no problems at all. I am feeling really good about this trip. This is why I bought the 4runner. To go places I could never go before. Can’t wait to go. I just hope it doesn’t rain because I know those roads are not good when wet. At least you don’t need a permit yet so we could go on another day but it is going to start getting hot.

Thanks again. I really appreciate your help and the great photo.

 

[gotama186]

Yes, I bought my TE with White Pocket and the Maze in mind and have done a ton of other desert backroads . I'm sure it's capable of much more.

A bit of rain would be good, of course, to damp down the sand.

 

[JB.]

Kent,

As mentioned, you're good to go in the TE. I did it no problem in a 4th gen with no rear locker and less clearance than your TE. I agree with the others on the approach route.

20psi is good. (As you can see, I have the same tires). That pressure will perform well off-pavement while mostly eliminating any speed or bead seating concerns.

You can experiment with hi or low range to see what you prefer. The main consideration, in this case, is how hard you're making the transmission work. 1st or 2nd high is fine downhill or on level sand that's not too deep. If the weather is hot and the truck is working hard for fairly lengthy stretches, low range will allow the truck to spend more time in higher gears where the torque converter can lock to reduce heat buildup. As I recall, I used hi going in and low going out where the road climbs gently for a few miles.

Yes, take a shovel even though you won't need it.

Have fun.

 

[Kent10]

Thanks JB. I am so excited and not worried about the trip any more. I have the same tires as you because of your reviews and helpful advice. I am really enjoying them. Thanks again for that.