Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: ejnewman on December 05, 2010, 05:02:09 pm
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Hi all
I am planning a trip from the UK going to Las Vegas for a week, followed by the Grand Canyon for a week. I was wondering if anybody could recommend accommodation near Antelope Canyon? I guess Page is the best place to stay?
I am after some good shots of Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, we intend on renting a car in Las Vegas and driving through north of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon, then possibly driving south of the Grand Canyon with an extra night on the south rim.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Elliot
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What time of year? Quite a few places to stay in Page; easy drive to Upper and Lower Canyon and to Horseshoe Bend.
Steve
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Page is the place to eat and sleep. it's just a few minutes from Antelope, Horseshoe, etc. Lots of lodging, food, etc.
Have fun shooting in the slots!
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With 2 weeks, you should consider a few more stops around "the loop" and including a few of the below:
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
The Great Escarpment
Near Moab (UT):
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Near Mexican Hat (UT):
Valley of the Gods
Mexican Hat
Mogi Dugway
Monument Valley
The others are:
the slot canyons
Grand Canyon
.. that is unless you've already seen some of the above and/or will be going back to see that which you miss.
It is really quite unfair that such enormous natural beauty is all in this relatively small area.
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Elliot ,
I would also suggest that you look into Laurent Martres books. They offer very good advices for Southwest photo locations.
On Amazon.com:
Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1--Southern Utah (http://tinyurl.com/273nc5v)
Photographing the Southwest: Volume 2--Arizona (http://tinyurl.com/26682vs)
On Amazon.co.uk:
Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1--Southern Utah (http://tinyurl.com/2d9t85h)
Photographing the Southwest: Volume 2--Arizona (http://tinyurl.com/2aafbkf)
Have fun!
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I would also suggest that you look into Laurent Martres books.
^^^This x 1,000. I think the grand canyon and antelope canyon are in the Arizona version.
I also agree that if you've got two weeks, you should also throw in Bryce and Zion. You can do Zion in a long day from Vegas, but personally, I'd subtract 1 day from the vegas end and stop there on your way to Page. (About 48 hours in Vegas is all I can stand.) If you are going in winter, Bryce can be very cold, so be prepared.
Closer to Las Vegas, there is also Valley of Fire State Park.
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I didn't enjoy Antelope, maybe because of the crowds:
(https://idisk.mac.com/markadams999//Public/PIX/Antelope.jpg)
Horseshoe's nice:
(https://idisk.mac.com/markadams999//Public/PIX/Horseshoe.jpg)
(Image of me (http://thelightcavalry.phanfare.com/) by John Hauschildt (http://rumdoodle.com/))
There are more enjoyable slot canyons up in the Escalante region, eg Spooky if you're limber:
(https://idisk.mac.com/markadams999//Public/PIX/spooky.jpg)
Antelope's plus is convenience, minus is atmosphere as you need to take the guided tour. The drive along Highway 12 from Bryce to Escalante and beyond to Capitol Reef is one of the great drives. I too recommend the Laurent Martres books for good ideas.
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The Upper Canyon is the tourist mecca, worth doing but might be difficult to photograph due to crowds. Lower canyon is a much better, fewer people, and unless things have changed, you pay the fees and go in for a long as you want.
Steve
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Page is definitely the place to stay and there are plenty of options. You can look for hotels and reviews on tripadvisor.com as some places are better than others.
As for your trip, personally I have a distinct preference for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon - do both Point Imperial and Cape Royal, particularly Point Imperial at sunrise (be very alert on the road out there at that hour though) - once you've done that, IMO, the South Rim and the crowds/hassles just aren't worth much of an extended visit. I'd humbly suggest you orient your time a bit more to the wonderful area between Page and Kanab, UT along hwy 89 instead of investing heavily in the South Rim. Wahweap Hoodoo's is a decent hike (9 miles round trip, offhand can't remember my kilometer conversion) out near Big Water, UT, which is just past the dam a little bit on the way west on hwy 89 from page, and then, if you can score a permit, you've got "The Wave" 30 miles down the road further, the rimrock hoodoo's just before that, and if you're truly adventurous, and can hire a guide with 4WD capability, the White Pocket. Combine that with Antelope and Horseshoe Bend and IMO you'd have a better time than spending a lot of time at the South Rim, but to be honest, the whole bloody area is fantastic and you likely will have a great trip regardless. And we haven't even begun to discuss Zion, Bryce, or the rest of the state!
Good luck and safe travels!
- Mike
ps: another strong recommendation for the Laurent Matres books - you'll want both the Arizona and Utah ones.
pps: You might want to check out Jon Ortners book "Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest" - I picked up a copy of this in Kanab and the photography contained in that book totally changed my ideas on which areas I will concentrate on the next time I'm in the area.
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^^^This x 1,000. I think the grand canyon and antelope canyon are in the Arizona version.
I also agree that if you've got two weeks, you should also throw in Bryce and Zion. You can do Zion in a long day from Vegas, but personally, I'd subtract 1 day from the vegas end and stop there on your way to Page. (About 48 hours in Vegas is all I can stand.) If you are going in winter, Bryce can be very cold, so be prepared.
Closer to Las Vegas, there is also Valley of Fire State Park.
I'll put forward another vote for Bryce. Fantastic place.
Jeremy
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I'll put forward another vote for Bryce. Fantastic place.
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Agree and it's located such that you can tie it in to other places such as Zion and arrive at Bryce in the afternoon, get the light, stay at Ruby's and get sunrise the next day and then hit the road to next destination. If you are going in the Summer, forget the Grand Canyon South Rim and just plan on the North Rim. All of the "good stuff", in American road trip terms, is in the same area. Two weeks for traveling....Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Page (Antelope, Horseshoe), Monument Valley(stay at the hotel in the valley), North Rim....piece of cake!!!
Steve
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Antelope's plus is convenience, minus is atmosphere as you need to take the guided tour.
And the cost for a photo specific tour can be kinda pricey....
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Thankyou all very much for all the detailed insider info, I certainly wouldn't get that kind of advice at my local travel agent.
The plan is:
6th-11th Oct - Las Vegas for a stag-do, (hopefully wont involve any tigers, or Mike Tyson's)
11th-17th - National Parks time (11th+17th will be driving days)
18th-20th - Las Vegas again
I guess what I need to work out is:
A) do I run around as many locations as possible in the time I have, giving the sheer number of beauty spots.
B) do I focus on 1 or 2 locations, study them, and become more at one with the environment, light, and composition.
I do have a couple of questions:
Antelope Canyon - I can only go their with a guided tour? There is no way I can visit on my own?
North Rim - I am still a little in the dark with the base of the GC, I hear there are Donkeys that take you down?
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The roads to the north rim of the Grand Canyon shut down in the winter, but I think you'll be OK in October.
Mule trips into the bottom of the canyon are from the south rim only. There is a "resort" (Phantom Ranch) there, but need to book many, many months in advance.
AFAIK, antelope is tours only.
If you want slot canyons. the Escalante area might be your best bet. But you need to be ready to hike longish distances.
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…Antelope Canyon - I can only go their with a guided tour? There is no way I can visit on my own?…
If you choose the Lower Antelope canyon, then you can go on your own. For the Upper Antelope Canyon, you go to the parking and then take the "official" pickup trucks (pictured above).
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A) do I run around as many locations as possible in the time I have, giving the sheer number of beauty spots.
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I would vote for a). Sightseeing and photography. Plan to drive after the sun goes down and during mid-day and try to see and photograph a much stuff as possible; if this is your first trip to this part of the US. As an example, you can get to Page in early afternoon, do some recon at Antelope and see how many tour buses are at the Upper canyon and decide if it will be worth the trouble. Get evening light at Horseshoe Bend, eat Mexican food, get up early for sunrise at Horseshoe Bend +- Upper Canyon but a self-guided several hours at Lower Canyon then off to Monument valley for evening light and sunrise etc..etc...etc.
Steve
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The plan is:
6th-11th Oct - Las Vegas for a stag-do, (hopefully wont involve any tigers, or Mike Tyson's)
11th-17th - National Parks time (11th+17th will be driving days)
18th-20th - Las Vegas again
You can be in Zion National Park in about 2.5-3 hours from Downtown Lost Wages, err I mean Las Vegas. ;) Page and Bryce are about 1.5-2 hours from Zion's east entrance (albeit in opposite directions).
While ambitious, it would not be unfeasible to do the following.
11th Las Vegas to Springdale, UT (Zion, NP) (3 hours drive time from Las Vegas to Zion)
12th Ruby's Inn (Bryce Canyon) (2 hours drive time from Zion to Bryce)
13th Torrey, UT (Capitol Reef) (3 hours drive time from Bryce to Torrey, and it's a wonderful 3 hours. If you do this, Calf Creek falls (http://www.landshapephotography.com/img/s10/v16/p235630394-4.jpg) is a MUST stop.)
14th Moab, UT (Canyonlands, NP or Arches, NP (For first timers, I'd say arches)) (3.5 hour drive time from Torrey to Moab)
15th Kyenta, AZ, Bluff or Mexican Hat, UT (Monument Valley) (3 hours from Moab to Monument Valley, 30 more mins to Kyenta)
16th-17th Page, Az (Grand Canyon and antelope). (90 mins from Kyenta to Page, 4.5-5.5 hours from Page to Las Vegas)
Or you could power all the way to Bryce on the first day, and add Springdale/Zion, NP on the last day of the circle.
There would be some long days but you'd see ALOT of the SW US....
If you need any help route finding (which highways to take, PM or email me.)
Good luck,
L
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Lonnie's itinerary is superb. I first visited this part of the world (I'm from London) straight after a trip in the Himalayas, so you'd think I'd be a bit blase' about the SW Utah landscape. I was smitten, it is more wonderful the more you get to know it. Lonnie gives good advice on Calf Creek Falls (a pleasant, easy hike to an amazing photo-location) and to Arches, which is right by Moab and an efficient way to see several worldclass landscapes. It's a long drive but wonderful. I'd recommend going for it. Now that I've been back a few times, I tend to focus on certain areas, Escalante/Boulder especially. I could throw in loads of ideas, but I'll just mention 1 (if you have a 4wd) and that's the Cathedral Valley circuit east of Torrey. Allow most of a day.
Couple of points:
1. Slot canyon light means when the sun is high.
2. A lovely and efficient way from Page to Scenic Highway 12 and Bryce is the Cottonwood Canyon Road north from route 89 via Kodachrome Basin State Park.
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is the Cottonwood Canyon Road north from route 89 via Kodachrome Basin State Park.
The last I heard that road was closed. Heavy flooding washed the road out in several places. By next Oct however, it's anyone guess....
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I spent two weeks in Arizon and Utah towards the end of October, and was there a year ago as well. Lots of GREAT ideas from people in this thread. I'll add just a few things:
1) It's a LOT of driving in Lonnie's itinerary. You'll see a lot, but only skim the surface. (don't get me wrong, I love driving, we did 3,000 miles on our two week trip, but... that's a lot of driving!)
2) Scenic Byway 12 is un-frickin-believable... once you get past Escalante :)
Honestly, if I had your amount of time, I would just do the classic loop of Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, with a little side drive out east of Escalante to see the most impressive parts of Scenic Byway 12. Zion at that time of year is incredible and you really need more than one day to shoot it otherwise you'll kick yourself later. Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon need an overnight stay so you can experience sunrise and sunset at each place.
Photos from my most recent trip are at http://www.danecreekphotography.com/Southwest2010.html. Photos from the trip last year are at http://www.danecreekphotography.com/southwest.html.
Neil
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I love driving, we did 3,000 miles on our two week trip, but... that's a lot of driving!
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I do to, so the idea of driving a 4-6,000 mile loop is no big deal. However, for people from the UK, the thought of driving those miles may be a little intimidating. :>)
On the positive side, in the area that he is considering seeing, the "attractions" are spaced such that a lot of miles can be driven late morning>early afternoon and/or at night and save the good light for photography.
Steve
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1) It's a LOT of driving in Lonnie's itinerary. You'll see a lot, but only skim the surface. (don't get me wrong, I love driving, we did 3,000 miles on our two week trip, but... that's a lot of driving!)
Psst. It's ONLY 1,100 Miles! (1,750 KM) I've done that in 2 days before! ;)
Don't look at it as distance. Look at it as time. That's why I posted the times between destination. The speed limits here in lots of places are high, (75 mph/120 Kph) so you can get between places rather quickly. I assume staying at each of the location listed. The longest day is 5 hours, and that's from Page to Las Vegas on the last day, and that could be shortened since I gave 2 days in Page. Every other day has 3 hours or less of drive time. That's really not that much.
Here's the Route in Google Maps...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Las+Vegas,+NV&daddr=springdale+ut+to:Bryce+Canyon+UT+to:Torrey,+UT+to:MOab+Ut+to:Bluff+UT+to:Page+Az+to:Las+Vegas+Nv&hl=en&geocode=FdYQJwIdMJoi-SnRffWkgre-gDGjebPV5tXMOg%3BFQd1NwIdacdD-SnxHlELNo3KgDF6CLeupWSy2Q%3BFZwpPgId8XRQ-SkPGqBET2g1hzFi_Ul6bDecdQ%3BFfVkSAIdR-Fb-SnBMVEVjv9JhzF2aCriFGNOfQ%3BFQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw%3BFV3qOAIdVF94-SnriKxwzuE5hzEzE9yHbq7I-w%3BFSJGMwIdp1Fb-SmPdc39WxM0hzE5TjhTUS-Ybg%3BFdYQJwIdMJoi-SnRffWkgre-gDGjebPV5tXMOg&mra=ls&sll=37.553025,-112.25867&sspn=5.294796,8.481445&ie=UTF8&ll=36.368222,-111.137695&spn=10.750011,16.962891&t=h&z=6
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The same route I took to show some people around a few years ago except that I know you meant to show Bluff to Kayenta via Monument Valley. The 1100 miles is comfortable with 2 or 3 drivers. There'd be a 2 or 3 hundred miles of side-trips. Altho the original poster is starting from Vegas, these days I come into Salt Lake City Airport which is more copacetic altogether.
With only 1 week I'd prefer to stick around Bryce,Zion,Escalante,Page, Grand Canyon.
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I think all of the advice is great. I just did a 950 mile trip from Phoenix to Page, Monument Valley, and Grand Canyon this October in 4 1/2 days before a business meeting back in Phoenix. The books mentioned are fantastic. I used guides in the slot canyons ($225 for 8 hrs with Carol Bigthumb and Gabriel) and Monument Valley (Tom Phillips $225 for Sunset and Sunrise shoot). Although pricey I thought well worth it as they knew what they were doing and clearly are tours specific to photographers. They got you into places off the beaten path and really know how to follow the light. For the Grand Canyon and some shorter stops such as Crater NP, Sedona, and Navajo NM I did on my own. If I had another day or two I would have explored a bit below the rim of the canyon. Have a great trip!!! October is a fantastic time to go. Less crowds(I had Horseshoe bend to myself one morning) and great light.
Cheers,
Sam Ward
samwardphoto.com
PS Some shots of the trip are on my website.
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All great information...
I will get the books recommended. One thing to consider, which perhaps I should have originally posted is that I will be with my other half, so although the trip is an obvious chance to get shots, it's a bit of a long journey for her to come on if it's just to follow me around in the car and on foot day after day.
The miles certainly are not a problem, I've done similar before but what you guys have done for me is give me all the bits of information needed to create my own itinerary, which I will do with the above considerations.
Thanks all.
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One thing to consider if you're other half is coming along - some of these locations can be quite romantic. If you've never been to the Grand Canyon North Rim, a sunrise at Point Imperial, along with, perhaps, a bit of jewelry for said other half, can be tremendously romantic, if that's your sort of thing.
A few things to note: If you're even remotely near Arches, DO NOT MISS going up to Dead Horse Point state park - if I had a dime every time I run into tourists who just stopped by on a whim and heard them say "wow, this is the best view of the trip and I almost skipped it", I'd have one of those fancy MFDB's all the venture capitalists at this site have :)
Have a great trip!
-mike
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Hi, Horseshoe Bend is worth stopping and shooting particularly at sunset--there is the WAVE just before Page-but I think you need to get a Guide now to visit-no?
The most visual Antelope Canyon is the Small end --the one where the French tourists came to grief--Bit tight to fit down the steps but well worth it for pics especially.
Watch the Cops-- cardboard cutouts in the parked patrol cars are a hoot--but if they do the job!
Good Shooting,
Des
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Hi, Horseshoe Bend is worth stopping and shooting particularly at sunset--there is the WAVE just before Page-but I think you need to get a Guide now to visit-no?
You need a VERY difficult permit to get to the wave, complicated by the fact that you have to apply months in advance and October is a very popular time to visit that site. I've lived here 10 years, and never made it there.
http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain/paria/coyote_buttes/permits.html
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In mid October you will be a bit early for best fall color in Zion but about right for what aspens change color in Bryce - a bit early for color in Escalante - the sun is still high enough for decent light in Lower Antelope - and if you are there for the first time you will likely want to spend time there - you need sun - and since you need the middle hours of the day for best bounce light the only other options that time of the day are scouting. Horseshoe Bend is the low hanging fruit for early / late light in the area.
Jackson Bridges is a local photo guide who has 4WD and can get you into areas you might not see on your own on a 1st time trip. He is not cheap but does a good job and knows the area well. Google and you should find his web site. PM or e-mail if you can't.
Many of the prime sites involve overland (no trails or signs) hiking such as Coyote Buttes and / or 4WD access with deep sand and the need for a capable vehicle, some 4WD driving / off road experience and the occasional need to dig out or winch out your vehicle.
You have lots of time to plan and surf. You may add my name to the list for more info if I can help.
Nye
simmonsphotoarts.com
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Jackson Bridges is a local photo guide who has 4WD and can get you into areas you might not see on your own on a 1st time trip. He is not cheap but does a good job and knows the area well. Google and you should find his web site. PM or e-mail if you can't.
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Jackson Bridges can be contacted either via his website ( http://www.jacksonbridges.com ) or via Overland Canyon Tours ( http://www.overlandcanyontours.com/ ).
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I did Antelope Canyon in early May of 2010. I was blown away by the crowds. There were probably 400+ people in the Upper Slot and I saw at least 50-60 cars in the parking lot for the Lower Antelope. The last time I was there was probably 15 years ago. Went to the Navajo tribal office, hired a guide, drove my vehicle following him to the Upper and he said adios. My wife and I were the only ones in the slot as the sun did its wonderful dance. Crossed the road and went to Lower, ropes and primitive ladders to the bottom. Saw one other photographer. I wish for quieter times.
Thank god for photoshop. You can still get good images but may need to touch up and remove offending people. I asked if there was any time of the year with less folks and the answer I got was a simple NO. With the narrow window of time when the sun shines down in the classic sun shafts everyone is there at the same time.
I saw a couple of the 'photo' tours. About 20-30 people in a group, lots of shouting to other groups to not walk through the scene, tossing of sand to highlight the sunbeams. Wonder what it would cost to 'buy' the entire day, just you and nature?
Jokingly the only thing that would be better is to install a moving sidewalk that stops periodically for photos. :)
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I did Antelope Canyon in early May of 2010. I was blown away by the crowds. There were probably 400+ people in the Upper Slot and I saw at least 50-60 cars in the parking lot for the Lower Antelope.
Antelope (and Monument Valley) seem to be two of the places where folks flock to take exactly the same image as 10 gazillion other people who also lack originality. It's one reason that antelope just doesn't appeal to me. There are so many awesomely beautiful place here in the Southwest, that I'll let the crowds have the iconic places, and I'll shoot lesser know ones and get images that are all my own....