Posted by Jared Warren on August 18, 2013 at 6:53 PM
I'm planning a trip to North & South Coyote Buttes for early October. First visit for me. I have a single permit for CB North but would also like to spend a couple days in CB South and am particularly interested in visiting the White Pocket area. For those who are familiar with the area (White Pocket, specifically), I have a couple questions:
1. When it's said a high-clearance 4WD is necessary, how "high-clearance" are we talking? I'd be coming with a Ford F-150 (4WD) with good tires. Would you expect any problems with this kind of vehicle? I understand the deep sand is the main concern. From what I've read I also plan to be prepared with a shovel, carpet strips, and compressor to re-inflate tires (if deflating is necessary).
2. Is it unwise to plan a solo trip to White Pocket? The Laurent Martres guidebook says to "never, ever, go alone." Really? What are your thoughts on this? I could bring a friend or family member on the trip if necessary but I have just one permit for the wave, and can't count on scoring one of the walk-in permits, so we'd likely have to split up that day.
Please advise, o wise ones!
Posted by John Mumaw on August 18, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Sounds like a great trip! You'll also need permits to visit and camp at CB South.
Early October is usually a blue sky time in the area, so count on late nights shooting 'starscapes'.
1) A Ford F150 should be fine. Low range 4WD is needed for the torque factor. A shovel, carpet strips and a compressor are good ideas as well as the usual...plenty of water, food, first aid kit, etc. Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. The towing bills are murder in that area.
2) Going anywhere alone on the Colorado Plateau ups the risk factor, and the White Pocket is no different. Mr. Martres is simply emphasizing that point at WP as cell phone coverage is nil and you're a long, long way from help if you need it. Having said that, the times when you find yourself alone out there are becoming less and less frequent as the popularity of the place grows. It's still fairly minimal due to the 4WD requirement, though.
Post here when you're about to leave and you may find some folks to join you!
Posted by Monika Chace on August 18, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Jared,
You should be absolutely fine with a F-150. Like John said, bring extraction gear just in case. If it's rained recently, it'll be much easier (less sandy) than if it's been dry. I went in solo (if you don't count my dog) in winter & didn't encounter anyone until I was driving out. What you encounter is long stretches of sand, so that's what you need power for (IMHO it's just power, not torque as I think of torque being mostly helpful for gunning through short stretches rather than long ones, that you need) & your truck should be absolutely fine as long as the back is weighted down sufficiently. I've heard that there's a compressor at Big Water. I didn't air down, but then, it had just snowed about 6 inches.
Have a great trip!
Posted by John Kyler on August 18, 2013 at 10:43 PM
Great place to go.
1. that truck should be fine. But bring recovery tools. Shovel,carpet, jack. But not that big of a deal. I over planned that one.
2. We were there during the week in early June and we saw two other cars... But keep in mind the deaths at CB. Heat and sun... But again universal precautions.. And as for cell coverage... I had 4 bars and 4g service. Much better than I had in Page!!! But that was with AT&T. Not all carriers will work.
When I did White Pocket several friends came along in their own vehicles, one of which was a bone stock F-150 (older model) and it did just fine. Air down the tires a bit and DO NOT stop while climbing a sand dune.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on August 19, 2013 at 1:45 AM
Jared, you didn't mention which turnoff you plan to take from House Rock Valley Road.
I highly recommend the less challenging southern entry via Corral Valley Road (BLM 1017 and BLM 1066).
I understand the Paw Hole route has a BIG sandy hill.
Might be a great place to have a buddy shooting video of your ascent.
I like your new SmugMug site design.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on August 22, 2013 at 2:30 PM
If you are going to SCB before WP, definitely go in via 1017 and Poverty Flat. I have been that way many times in my stock Chevy 4wd. I have not needed to air down.
Discussion
6 replies1. When it's said a high-clearance 4WD is necessary, how "high-clearance" are we talking? I'd be coming with a Ford F-150 (4WD) with good tires. Would you expect any problems with this kind of vehicle? I understand the deep sand is the main concern. From what I've read I also plan to be prepared with a shovel, carpet strips, and compressor to re-inflate tires (if deflating is necessary).
2. Is it unwise to plan a solo trip to White Pocket? The Laurent Martres guidebook says to "never, ever, go alone." Really? What are your thoughts on this? I could bring a friend or family member on the trip if necessary but I have just one permit for the wave, and can't count on scoring one of the walk-in permits, so we'd likely have to split up that day.
Please advise, o wise ones!
Early October is usually a blue sky time in the area, so count on late nights shooting 'starscapes'.
1) A Ford F150 should be fine. Low range 4WD is needed for the torque factor. A shovel, carpet strips and a compressor are good ideas as well as the usual...plenty of water, food, first aid kit, etc. Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. The towing bills are murder in that area.
2) Going anywhere alone on the Colorado Plateau ups the risk factor, and the White Pocket is no different. Mr. Martres is simply emphasizing that point at WP as cell phone coverage is nil and you're a long, long way from help if you need it. Having said that, the times when you find yourself alone out there are becoming less and less frequent as the popularity of the place grows. It's still fairly minimal due to the 4WD requirement, though.
Post here when you're about to leave and you may find some folks to join you!
You should be absolutely fine with a F-150. Like John said, bring extraction gear just in case. If it's rained recently, it'll be much easier (less sandy) than if it's been dry. I went in solo (if you don't count my dog) in winter & didn't encounter anyone until I was driving out. What you encounter is long stretches of sand, so that's what you need power for (IMHO it's just power, not torque as I think of torque being mostly helpful for gunning through short stretches rather than long ones, that you need) & your truck should be absolutely fine as long as the back is weighted down sufficiently. I've heard that there's a compressor at Big Water. I didn't air down, but then, it had just snowed about 6 inches.
Have a great trip!
1. that truck should be fine. But bring recovery tools. Shovel,carpet, jack. But not that big of a deal. I over planned that one.
2. We were there during the week in early June and we saw two other cars... But keep in mind the deaths at CB. Heat and sun... But again universal precautions.. And as for cell coverage... I had 4 bars and 4g service. Much better than I had in Page!!! But that was with AT&T. Not all carriers will work.
I highly recommend the less challenging southern entry via Corral Valley Road (BLM 1017 and BLM 1066).
I understand the Paw Hole route has a BIG sandy hill.
Might be a great place to have a buddy shooting video of your ascent.
I like your new SmugMug site design.