Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: framah on October 13, 2007, 01:46:49 pm

Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on October 13, 2007, 01:46:49 pm
Does anyone have any experience shooting in Monument Valley in the winter...like in January?  I'm thinking about it and thought I'd check to see if I'm crazy or not.  

Thanks.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Tim Gray on October 13, 2007, 01:51:31 pm
Not January - but early December - used Tom Phillips as a guide - got some nice early morning frost shots.  I expect Jan would be pretty interesting...
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on October 13, 2007, 02:49:12 pm
Thanks, Tim. Would you still have info to get ahold of Tom Phillips?

Did you use your own vehicle or theirs?
 How about snow? Alot? None? How cold?
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on October 13, 2007, 03:02:52 pm
I googled him and up popped his site . Thanks, I'll communicate with him and see what happens.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Tim Gray on October 13, 2007, 03:30:13 pm
Quote
Thanks, Tim. Would you still have info to get ahold of Tom Phillips?

Did you use your own vehicle or theirs?
 How about snow? Alot? None? How cold?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=145746\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Used his vehicle - "a lot" of snow is very unlikely.  FWIW, at Bryce at that time there was a lot of snow - made the shots from the overlooks interesting, but all the trails were closed.  At Zion, no snow.  Cold enough that you'll want to layer a couple of thin gloves.

Tom is getting on in years, I hope I have one more opportunity to take advantage of his guiding in the next year or so.

Don't know what your other plans are but the stuff around Page (the Antelopes and Horseshoe Bend) as well as Moab (Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point, I'm not a big fan of Arches, you really need an extended stay to do it justice) would be worth the time as well.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on October 13, 2007, 04:24:00 pm
Thanks, Tim...
 My other plan was to maybe head back out to Toroweep point on the North Rim. I did that in May a long time ago  and thought that might be nice as well.

Lower Antelope is a must for sure.  Imagine slight layers of snow on the walls of the canyon! )If that happens!)

 I always try for the full moon time of the month when I head out there.

I have Toms website bookmarked so I'll contact him later on.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Tim Gray on October 13, 2007, 05:37:21 pm
Quote
Thanks, Tim...
 My other plan was to maybe head back out to Toroweep point on the North Rim. I did that in May a long time ago  and thought that might be nice as well.

Lower Antelope is a must for sure.  Imagine slight layers of snow on the walls of the canyon! )If that happens!)

 I always try for the full moon time of the month when I head out there.

I have Toms website bookmarked so I'll contact him later on.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=145761\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Pretty sure the road to the N. Rim be closed.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: camilla on October 14, 2007, 09:48:38 am
Hi
Just returned from MV. Liked my photos from February much much better. I like the winter light. Have gone there several times at end of December and January and have brought back marvelous photos.

I use Daniel's Guided Tours- everyone there is professional, efficient and patient. I find Tom Phillips too rushed and has large groups with him every time he goes out---- that's just my experience.

If you want to reach Daniel his number is 435 727 3227. Have used them for years. and so have many photographer friends.

One books in advance for particular dates--- and you tell him that you want to leave well before sunrise to be let's say at the dunes of the Totem Pole 45 minutes before sunrise. They know what to do. Make sure you reconfirm and keep in touch with them.

be careful where you are coming from as the clock changes in different areas of the Southwest.

North Rim is already closed for the winter.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Tim Gray on October 14, 2007, 09:55:39 am
Quote
I use Daniel's Guided Tours- everyone there is professional, efficient and patient. I find Tom Phillips too rushed and has large groups with him every time he goes out---- that's just my experience.

If you want to reach Daniel his number is 435 727 3227. Have used them for years. and so have many photographer friends.



North Rim is already closed for the winter.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=145867\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Good to have a choice of guides.  I suspect mid week, off, off season Tom isn't that busy.  When I wen out it was just the two of us.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Win on October 15, 2007, 12:39:54 pm
Toroweap does not get snow like the North Rim and is open all year. While out there you should go to the Namoweap Petroglyph site. Over 1000 works in Billy Goat Canyon very nice!

Win
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on October 15, 2007, 02:45:09 pm
Yep... the road to Toroweep isn't the "road" to the North Rim. At the town of Freedonia, there is a light. Instead of heading on down Rt. 89 to where everyone else goes on the North Rim, you turn at the light and go a few miles to a dirt road to the left thru a fence, The road is about 30 miles long and it goes past the Toroweep Ranger Station all the way out to the edge of the canyon at Toroweep point. That area isn't closed, but it also isn't maintained or patrolled so you are on your own out there.
Somewhere in my files, I have a photo of the 5 liter Mustang I rented in Vegas sitting near the edge of the canyon out there. Defintely not the car to take but, heck... it WAS a rental!!
Here is the one I got back then.

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h216/framah/ToroweepPtforsite.jpg)
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Win on October 15, 2007, 03:46:38 pm
Toroweap Rd is actually 61 miles long out of Fredonia. I've seen cars out there but it's not a good idea. There is a towing company in Kanab that makes a good living going out there. In three recent trips I've seen someone with a problem each time.

Even more of an adventure is to go out of St George, 90 miles to the rim! And a couple of fun spots to get your adrenaline going. This route has some terrific scenery, though.

Win
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: djgarcia on October 15, 2007, 04:56:20 pm
I was in MV last September and found the light marvelous those 2 days. Weather is such a gamble, but a dust storm made life both hellish and interesting. This was a bit after the storm ...

(http://improbablystructuredlayers.net/Special/_E9C3909.jpg)
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on October 16, 2007, 09:25:53 am
That's great!! Thanks for showing us.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: djgarcia on October 16, 2007, 07:20:09 pm
And during the storm ...

(http://improbablystructuredlayers.net/Special/_E9C3906.jpg)
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: alainbriot on October 16, 2007, 10:14:05 pm
Win,

Where does the road from St George to Toroweap starts near St George?  I looked for it a couple of times but never found it.  I've been to Toroweap numerous times but always took the Fredonia-Toroweap road.

Thank you.

ALain
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on October 17, 2007, 11:28:47 am
I think the road is the Mt. Trumbull Loop.  My maps have it starting out as River Rd. off of Brigham Rd.

Check out page 16 and 17 of the Utah Gazateer and then page 21 and 22 of the Arizona Gazateer.
It was about 20 years ago when I went out there but I did find the road in St. George and remember that it was near  I -15.  It is a long road out and connects to Toroweep Rd. on the east side of Mt. Trumbull the mountain, not the town.  Unfortunately, I no longer have the original map of the area I used back then. It was quite detailed with all of these roads tho the Gazateer books are great. They are printed by DeLorme up here in Maine.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Win on October 17, 2007, 12:17:43 pm
Framah has it right. You can access what is called "Main St" from River Rd in St George
or Brigham Rd out of Bloomington. You drive South to the Mt Trumbull Schoolhouse and turn left. That takes you across the base of Mt Trumbull and hooks up with the road to Toroweap.

Those Delorme books are good but I've been using the Benchmark maps and like them a little better.

Win

The old schoolhouse on Memorial Day, only time I've seen a flag flying:

(http://www.fototime.com/82F8EF05D185134/standard.jpg)
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: JeffKohn on October 19, 2007, 03:27:46 pm
Quote
I find Tom Phillips too rushed and has large groups with him every time he goes out---- that's just my experience.
I did a sunrise tour with Tom in late June of this year (pretty close to peak season I would guess), and it was just my wife and I with him. It was a weekday though, and I'm guessing the sunset tours are more crowded since not as many people are willing to get up at 4:00am for a tour. We were not rushed, had plenty of time and were lucky enough to catch a really spectacular sunrise:

(http://www.pbase.com/jkohn/image/83275321/original.jpg)
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: djgarcia on October 19, 2007, 05:46:33 pm
And early to rise gets the nice shot - very nice!
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: islandgolfer on October 25, 2007, 05:39:14 pm
You may want to pick up a copy of "Photo Traveler's Guide to Arizona(323-660-8600; Or, write to them at P.O. Box39912, L.A. CA 90039). It gives great suggestions for photo opps at all of these locations & more. I went in the Fall. In winter you can expect the white snow to contrast dramatically with the red earth.

As for the Grand Cyn., you will only be able to get to lower elevation South Rim. The North Rim is closed. As for going to Antelope Cyn., I don't know if you can get in there in winter, or not. It used to be that you could simply drive in there with a 4WD vehicle. But, once it became popular, the Navajo's began to give "tours" (which amount to driving you about 2 miles through soft sand in the back of a pickup up to the entrance, and coming back for you in a couple of hours). When I went to the lower canyon, it cost $5 for the permit to enter Navajo territory, and an additional $12.50 for the Navajo families who own the land around there. The upper section of the canyon costs a little more. The Lower canyon is longer & deeper than the upper section. It is very challenging and requires ropes & ladders. I don't recomend this for the winter months. My guess is that it will be closed.

Monument Valley sits on a Indian land, as well. Much of it is off-limits, except by Indian-guided tour (for a fee, naturally). I don't know what time of day these tours run (or, if they run in the winter). If you have to go it on the public-access road, you should have a jeep or a truck. It is a not-so-good windy dirt road. There's half-day tours, 8-hour tours, etc. It depends on your interest in Indian ruins and artifacts. You will get some pretty spectacular photos even on the publi-access road, just not as close to the monoliths and spires. If you get above it, on a bluff and compress everything with a 400mm lens, you will get a very interesting shot. If you want to shoot the Navajo people, you need permision (and, a gratuity). Just keep in mind that much of the Valley cannot be seen (photographed) except on one of the tours.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: bill proud on November 08, 2007, 11:33:26 am
Hello all,

Couple of updates.

If you are going to Toroweep you can also access from Colorado City on the Clayhole Road. This is a much better road than the Fredonia Road, WHEN IT IS DRY. Clayhole is soft sand and red clay. We saved an hour of drive time over what it took to get in coming down the gravel rutted Fredonia Road. Of course if rain is expected I would stay off both of them.

Lower Antelope has been upgraded with steel ladders after the drownings in the late 90's. They also have added emergency drop ladders, you can see small boxes along the rim edges that contain the ladders and a bullhorn warning system in case of flash flooding, however, I have not seen the system used. There still are only two normal exits, one at each end.

Fees continue to rise. Last year it was $20.00 for 1/2 day in Lower Antelope.

good shooting,
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Lester on November 08, 2007, 05:20:23 pm
Quote
Hello all,

Couple of updates.

If you are going to Toroweep you can also access from Colorado City on the Clayhole Road. This is a much better road than the Fredonia Road, WHEN IT IS DRY. Clayhole is soft sand and red clay. We saved an hour of drive time over what it took to get in coming down the gravel rutted Fredonia Road. Of course if rain is expected I would stay off both of them.

Lower Antelope has been upgraded with steel ladders after the drownings in the late 90's. They also have added emergency drop ladders, you can see small boxes along the rim edges that contain the ladders and a bullhorn warning system in case of flash flooding, however, I have not seen the system used. There still are only two normal exits, one at each end.

Fees continue to rise. Last year it was $20.00 for 1/2 day in Lower Antelope.

good shooting,
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=151317\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


I was just at the Lower Antelope, in October 2007. The fee at this time was $21.00 for 4 hours of shooting. There was the steel ladders but I did not see the small boxes along the rim. It is a hell of a place to be on a windy day. It is below ground.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Khurram on November 08, 2007, 09:09:01 pm
I always thought Toroweep was part of the Grand Canyon.

I've got a pass for the wave on Dec 24, so i'm planning a trip from Dec 22 to Jan 2, for Page, MV, Sedona, Zion and am considering Havasu Bryce and arches (but that would probably be strectching as i would have to cut something else out.

The following is where i'm planning to spend each night:
22 Las Vegas
23 Page
24 Page
25 Sedona
26 Monument Valley (leave Sedona at sunset)
27  Page or Bryce? (spend day at MV - if i can book tom Phollips and leave MV after sunset)
28 Zion
29 Zion
30 Las Vegas
31 Death Valley (for Racetrack)
1 Las vegas
2 fly back

Is Toroweep a sunrise or sunset shoot???  I'm thinking if it is a sunset shoot, i could drive there for sunset and then after sunset head to Vegas on the return trip.  Would this be doable? This would most likely be for Dec 30th.

I will be traveling alone on this trip.  Would it be advisable going to Toroweep or the racetrack if i am going to be traveling alone?

I checked for accomodations for Havasu but there is none available.  I wouldn't mind getting some advice on the itenarary either.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: bill proud on November 09, 2007, 10:58:02 am
Toroweep is usually a sunrise shot, the classic scene looks northeast.

There may be a number of people there since it will be the holiday period but there won't be a ranger or gas station or anything for 60 miles. It is remote.

Last five miles is slow going due to rocks.  

Haven't been to Havasu but a friend of mine says the only way to do this trip is by helicopter.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: framah on November 09, 2007, 11:20:12 am
I wouldn't want to drive the road from Torpweep after dark. One wrong turn and you could go off the road and in some areas the shoulder is VERY soft and you could get stuck quickly. If you do a sunset trip then plan to stay there till the next morning... which would then give you a great sunrise shot!! Bring a sleeping bag and sleep in the car.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Khurram on November 10, 2007, 04:14:06 am
Quote
Toroweep is usually a sunrise shot, the classic scene looks northeast.

There may be a number of people there since it will be the holiday period but there won't be a ranger or gas station or anything for 60 miles. It is remote.

Last five miles is slow going due to rocks. 

Haven't been to Havasu but a friend of mine says the only way to do this trip is by helicopter.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=151509\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
thanks for the advice Bill.  I guess, i'll probably skip Toroweep.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Khurram on November 10, 2007, 04:15:32 am
Quote
I wouldn't want to drive the road from Torpweep after dark. One wrong turn and you could go off the road and in some areas the shoulder is VERY soft and you could get stuck quickly. If you do a sunset trip then plan to stay there till the next morning... which would then give you a great sunrise shot!! Bring a sleeping bag and sleep in the car.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=151515\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I think i'll skip it this time around.  Last thing i want is to be stuck there over the holidays, when it may take longer for a tow if needed.
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Win on November 14, 2007, 07:31:57 pm
I came across this post on AZ Hikers. Gives you an idea about how rough it can be out there.

http://www.arizonahikers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7013 (http://www.arizonahikers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7013)

Win
Title: Winter in Monument Valley
Post by: Khurram on November 18, 2007, 09:04:19 pm
anyone know if the Sand dunes are a good shoot at this time of the year - I'm planning on going between Xmas and new year's.