South Coyote Buttes. We are going to put in at Lone Tree Reservoir because we don't have 4wd but we want to make it to White Pocket.

Clearance is a concern on either route IMO since the tracks can get deep. The printed instructions I had took me the Pawhole way and I turned around at the big corral after coming too close to high centering my Element (~7.5" of clearance with my offroadish tires) a few times. I consulted Kelsey and backtracked to the longer route, much easier. Carry a shovel either way.
 
Titans said:
thanks so much everyone- I really appreciate the help. It went exactly as you all said, no problem. Wow, what a place!

We loved it and it was so much FUN today ! I'm very happy, this was a big boost in confidence with off road driving (so now we will get stuck one day, right). No problems driving, via the long route, to Cottonwood cove (arrived via Jacobs lake into south entry of HRVR!). It was about 20F this morning when we got there, the sandy roads were very firm, frozen. It was just above freezing when we left, roads had loosened up, but no issues. We didn't need to air down further. We were at 29 this morning and 33psi when we arrived at the turn off point at HRVR. @Cool Danish - our Jeep was aired up ridiculous high (40) when we got it. we drove across country with that. Before Cathedral Valley / Capitol reef we took it down to 35, that's much better. Now we drive 33-35, that handles much better on the road and it more comfortable. Our Subaru WRX handles extremely well on the road, so it's been a bit of an adjustment driving the Jeep, especially in high winds. But we couldn't get anywhere on the Paria plateau with the WRX!

I'm glad we had a map and we downloaded the route into Gaia. The roads out there all looked the same to me on the way back : Sand and junipers. I recognized very little on the way back.

Since there was a fair amount of slow walking for 6 miles just looking, taking photos, we were cool all day. Next time we need another layer (@Carcass hint for next week). Normally we hike all day and stay warmer. Anyway... We have no hesitation driving to White Pocket next week, on a dry sunny day. Thanks again.
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Thanks for the tip. Went to Zion yesterday on the East Canyon. Snow, wind and fold, but hardly anyone there. I'm keeping my eye on the weather. Hopefully the sun will be out.
 
Carcass said:
Thanks for the tip. Went to Zion yesterday on the East Canyon. Snow, wind and fold, but hardly anyone there. I'm keeping my eye on the weather. Hopefully the sun will be out.
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I think the sun is out Monday. We had sun in the morning, then the clouds came in. It’s pretty exposed, windy at CBS. But the main issue is that its not like a regular hike where you move constantly. There will be a lot of standing still watching the incredible formations. So we got cool.
We are going to Bryce this weekend - much cooler, but our experience there is that we need less clothing because the sun is out and we move constantly. At Bryce we always take layers off in the winter, at least once we drop off the rim. Yesterday we should have had more layers on. Have fun!
 
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Titans said:
I think the sun is out Monday. We had sun in the morning, then the clouds came in. It’s pretty exposed, windy at CBS. But the main issue is that its not like a regular hike where you move constantly. There will be a lot of standing still watching the incredible formations. So we got cool.
We are going to Bryce this weekend - much cooler, but our experience there is that we need less clothing because the sun is out and we move constantly. At Bryce we always take layers off in the winter, at least once we drop off the rim. Yesterday we should have had more layers on. Have fun!
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Went to Bryce Monday. It was in the 20's. Supposedly will get snow today. Still beautiful. The Wall Street route was closed off due to "unsafe" conditions. There was some ice on the paths at the lookouts so stay away from the edge. Like Zion, very few people.
 
Carcass said:
Went to Bryce Monday. It was in the 20's. Supposedly will get snow today. Still beautiful. The Wall Street route was closed off due to "unsafe" conditions. There was some ice on the paths at the lookouts so stay away from the edge. Like Zion, very few people.
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We love Bryce in the winter, it's magical. We will hike the Fairyland loop one day and then the next day a figure 8 loop (peek a boo with garden trail), forget what it's called. We have micro spikes on. We rarely meet anyone out on the Fairyland loop. We have started that hike in negative double digits (windshield factor), but once we are off the rim, it's fine. We plan the visit around sunny days after snow, then it's best. I figured Wall Street would be closed. It was open last year same time, but closed the previous year when we had lots of snow. It's nice, but very, very cold in the shade in the winter.
Ice or no ice, I'm never close to that rim edge.... ;)
 
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Cool Danish said:
Hello fellow Dane :).
I also happen to have a Wrangler and have done both the long route and Paw Hole -> Cottonwood -> White Pocket route several times.
On the long route I have never used 4WD, but aired down more for comfort than traction. As long as you keep the momentum going on the sandy stretches you will have no problems at all.

On the Paw Hole -> Cottonwood -> White Pocket route I air down, 4WD Hi and keep moving without any problems (Summer or Winter). In Winter with a little moisture in the sand this route shouldn't be a problem at all.

On the original 32" Mud-Terrain tires that came on my Rubicon and the new BF Goodrich All-Terrain TO2s I installed, I run 32psi on the highway and air down to 22-24psi for off highway (mostly for comfort :moses:). (The 37psi that is OEM setting, is way to hard for my taste and I have not seen any adverse wear or handling with running 32psi cold on the highway).

You will love everything on the Paria Plateau.. One of my favorite places.. Can't wait to see the TR & pics.
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Ok.... so we are going to White Pocket tomorrow via the long route (loaded into Gaia, we have maps too). We will most likely camp 1 night out there or at Stateline CG, because the meteor shower will peak Friday morning. I'm getting nervous about the sandy roads again, but we did well last week to Cottonwood cove, Coyote Butte South. We have a shovel, extra supplies, lots of water, etc. This off road driving has been a steep learning curve. We will leave early morning, when it's frozen like last week.
 
Titans said:
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Ok.... so we are going to White Pocket tomorrow via the long route (loaded into Gaia, we have maps too). We will most likely camp 1 night out there or at Stateline CG, because the meteor shower will peak Friday morning. I'm getting nervous about the sandy roads again, but we did well last week to Cottonwood cove, Coyote Butte South. We have a shovel, extra supplies, lots of water, etc. This off road driving has been a steep learning curve. We will leave early morning, when it's frozen like last week.
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White Pocket Road (long route) is about the same as the long route to Cottonwood Cove. May Be a couple more sandy areas but should be fine for a 4x4. Park at the main area and don't go down the hill that goes past it. Have fun!
 
Carcass said:
White Pocket Road (long route) is about the same as the long route to Cottonwood Cove. May Be a couple more sandy areas but should be fine for a 4x4. Park at the main area and don't go down the hill that goes past it. Have fun!
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True.... After going past the main parking area on the left, there is a very sandy down hill... But... it has a very nice campsite on sandstone at the end. :twothumbs:
UTAH_2016-24.jpg
Here is my trip report from a couple of years ago..
 
We just came back after 24 hours at White Pocket, wow! Surreal! No problems driving, the Jeep and Rick did awesome. We had the route loaded in Gaia and we brought maps. There is lots of sand, it's more loose than Coyote Butte south a week earlier. We aired down the tires to 29-30psi before reaching the sandy roads.
We were alone for 1/2 day (blue sky), then suddenly there was about 15 people for sunset and late afternoon photos. When two "tour trucks" arrived, we returned to the parking for an early dinner and suited up for a cold evening. We got lots of blue hour shots and night shots. Got up at 2-3am and watched the stars and an awesome (!!!) meteor display, incredible.
It was 16F last night and this morning, that's chilly. :cold: We brought lots of wood, but there wasn't a fire ring anywhere. We didn't start a fire, what's the official rule or guideline for that ?
We stayed at main parking lot, just saw the posts above. Nobody else at night. The second parking area looks great, we passed it walking, looking for a fire ring.
 
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