Thousand Pockets
Around Page - Arizona
Note: On dirt roads, road conditions can change constantly. Therefore, we strongly recommend that everyone check the road conditions before each trip. Information can be obtained at the BLM Visitor Centers in Big Water and Kanab, or in the Paria Contact Station. Before reported, during or shortly after rain or snowfall, we advise against driving on unpaved roads.
Our visits: So far 1 visit in October 2018
Thousand Pockets
Description: The Thousand Pockets area is dominated by many small and large stone pockets , in which water collects, especially after rainfall, forming a bizarre landscape.
Distance: From the junction at Hwy 89 to the parking lot is about 5.3mi.
Except for the first mile, the entire road to get there is unpaved. We visited Thousand Pockets in October 2018. Prior to our visit, it had been raining heavily off and on for several days, so the sand on the trail was quite firm. We had a 4×4 Jeep Wrangler with decent ground clearance. Under these conditions, getting there was no problem. However, we would definitely still recommend a 4×4 vehicle with decent ground clearance for the approach, as the conditions will certainly not present themselves as well in dry conditions.
The drive in detail: The junction leading to Thousand Pockets is on Highway 89 between Page and Big Water. Coordinate: Latitude 36.983849, Longitude -111.552119. First, you drive about a mile on a very poorly paved road before you turn left onto a dirt road. (Junction 2 at the top of the map). Coordinate: Latitude 36.988074, Longitude -111.564994. After another 2.4mi or so, you will reach a Y intersection, where you will keep left again. (Junction 3 at the top of the map). Coordinate: Latitude 36.977170, Longitude -111.588009. Until junction 4 Coordinate: Latitude 36.972781, Longitude -111.591473 the way is identical with the way to Stud Horse Point. To reach Thousand Pockets, however, you turn left here.
Follow the road until you reach junction 5. There are several intersections that you ignore. You always go straight ahead. At junction 5 Coordinate: Latitude 36.949627, Longitude -111.597832 you keep to the right and drive down the mountain. Here it becomes a little stony. When preparing the trip, I had read that there is a stone step that could cause difficulties. When we visited, there was no such step. The trail descends on slickrock. It was bumpy, but not a big problem. Especially at this point, a high ground clearance would definitely be necessary.
After opening a cattle gate and closing it behind you, you'll continue your way through the sand till you reach the trailhead. Coordinate: Breite 36.937952, Länge -111.594809.
The hike: From the parking lot we follow a trail to the west. According to the description I had read of the hike, I had the idea that the Thousand Pockets are located in the flat a bit away from the parking lot.
However, the reality is quite different, because the pockets are about 492ft higher than in my imagination. To get to them, we have to climb the mountain that is south of us. There is no predetermined path, you have to find it yourself. It goes relatively slowly, because one must climb over sometimes more sometimes less large stone steps upward. (See photo above)
Next to the Thousand Pocket is a huge area on top of the mountain that looks very interesting and is ready for further exploration. I had planned the whole thing as an afternoon location and so unfortunately there was hardly any time during our visit to really look around. Our visit was therefore mainly limited to the Thousand Pockets.
To explore them, surefootedness is required in any case, because the pockets are partly high and steep. However, since the sandstone is very grippy, the climbing usually goes quite well. We liked the landscape very much and we will definitely plan another visit. Next time, however, we will take at least a full day for the area.
Trail length: 2.9mi
Altitude difference: 656ft
Time needed: 4-x hours
Difficulty level: moderate
Our rating: The whole location has still potential for a better rating, because we have not seen everything yet. What we have seen is promising.
