Interplanetary Gateway
Have you ever dreamt of what Mars would look and feel like without losing years of your life crammed in a spaceship and having to eat space food?? Then, White Pocket is a destination you should definitely explore. The mesmerizing landscapes and uniquely formed rock structures are a testament to the otherworldly beauty that our own planet can offer. We had the pleasure of visiting this one of a kind national treasure while exploring northern Arizona. I must say this trip was such a pleasure to be apart of and we will be writing about what we learned and our experiences throughout the trip.
"We wonder for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment"
Walking through White Pocket is like traversing an alien terrain. The smooth, contorted sandstone formations, shaped by wind and water over millions of years, create an intricate labyrinth that challenges your senses. It’s as if the rocks themselves tell a story of ancient times, a narrative etched in every crevice and curve. White Pocket is a surreal landscape of swirling, twisted rock formations that seem to defy the laws of nature. As you approach, the vibrant hues of red, orange, and white create a vivid contrast against the clear blue sky, instantly transporting you to a place that feels extraterrestrial.
Our trip was an adventure, I would like to tell you that we made it out to White Pocket without any issues but as we all know nothing ever goes as you plan. We first started our journey on November 13th driving around the backroads trying to figure out how exactly to get there. We planned this out before coming to Arizona but sometimes the roads Google and Apple Maps suggest can get you stuck out in the middle of nowhere, and we went down one of those roads. The main road wasnt too bad, it was an open dirt road in pretty good condition with a stunning scenic view, but once we turned onto an unmarked sandy road, we knew we had to put the Jeep in 4x4 mode. It went from an open road to a very narrow and treacherous road that neither Soraya or I were experienced with. We got to a point with very soft and deep sand that transitioned to a uphill climb that neither of us wanted to participate in, so we made an executive decision to turn around and see if someone can show us a easier way to this other planet.
Here are a few pictures of the scenic landscapes we had the pleasure of viewing from our drive around Page AZ and Glen Canyon
After our failed attempt to make it to White Pocket we didn't let it discourage us, we just needed to find someone to show us the way! Luckily for us, Soraya found "Coral Cliffs" a tour guide company that would take us and give us some history lessons on the area.
This is was our tour guide Raymond, he was such a knowledgeable person, he grew up in Kanab, Utah. He's apparently a local celebrity, rumor has it that he was the first person to be born in Kanab so, who better to take us to the moon than a local space cowboy. He told us he remembers wrangling cattle at 15 years old at White Pocket when they used to lease the land out for local ranchers to graze their cattle. White Pocket, The Wave, and the other extraordinary landscapes weren't know to the public until the 1990s when a German photographer snapped some shots for some travel brochures. Once those pictures got out to the public the small towns of Kanab and Page Arizona started seeing more and more tourists coming from all over the world to see these beautiful and otherworldly landscapes. It definitely sparked interest in our minds when we saw pictures of these places and it still doesn't seem real.
Stepping onto White Pocket was so surreal even though Raymond explained how it was created. I still couldn't believe that this place was real. Exploring the area, you can’t help but marvel at the intricate details carved by the forces of nature. The rock formations resemble waves frozen in time, petrified ripples that evoke a sense of perpetual motion. It’s a place where imagination runs wild, and every corner invites you to discover new shapes and formations that challenge your understanding of the Earth’s geology. To us, this geological masterpiece isn't just anyother landscape its a journey through space and time. A glimpse into the ancient forces that have shaped our world in ways that continue to captivate and astound. So, if you’re ever wondering for an otherworldly adventure, look no further than White Pocket – Earth’s very own alien landscape.
