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Author Topic: Winter in Monument Valley  (Read 23077 times)

islandgolfer

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #20 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.
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bill proud

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #21 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,

Lester

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #22 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.
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Khurram

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #23 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.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2007, 09:13:37 pm by Khurram »
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bill proud

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #24 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.

framah

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #25 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.
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Khurram

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #26 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.
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Khurram

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #27 on: November 10, 2007, 04:15:32 am »

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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.
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Win

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #28 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

Win
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Khurram

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Winter in Monument Valley
« Reply #29 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.
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