Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: Jeremy Roussak on January 05, 2014, 04:58:01 am
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I'll be making a trip to the US in March, arriving into LA and leaving from Las Vegas 10 days later. I want to get to Arches and Canyonlands (I've not been to eastern parts of Utah before) and also to Death Valley. Other than arrival and departure, my plans are pretty inchoate at the moment, but I'm musing on flying from LA to Salt Lake City and then driving to Moab: a quick glance suggests that's the easiest and quickest way of getting there. I'll then drive across to DV.
Any comments? I'm particularly interested in suggestions for the intervening places. Should I just bomb down from SLC to Moab, or is there an interesting reason to break that journey? What would be good places to see on the drive back west?
I'll be in DV at full moon, which will be an opportunity I hope I can grasp.
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Jeremy
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SLC to Moab via US 6 is about 4 h. If you go south via I-15 and then pick up I-70, you can get awfully close to Zion, Bryce, and the Reef areas. Sounds like fun!
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I'd keep your plans and go into the Moab area. Arches and CanyonLands offer unlimited photo opportunities. Also in the area is Dead Horse Point State Park which is another fun place to visit. You can hit Bryce Canyon and drive through Zion on your way to Vegas. Valley of Fire State Park could also be a stop as it is just north of the Las Vegas area. I just got back from the Moab area and I spent one night at Bryce.
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I'd keep your plans and go into the Moab area. Arches and CanyonLands offer unlimited photo opportunities. Also in the area is Dead Horse Point State Park which is another fun place to visit. You can hit Bryce Canyon and drive through Zion on your way to Vegas. Valley of Fire State Park could also be a stop as it is just north of the Las Vegas area. I just got back from the Moab area and I spent one night at Bryce.
That's a pretty shot. My last visit to Bryce was ruined by a storm, and I'm keen to go back. The lodge will be closed, though: is there anywhere in particular that's good to stay close to the park?
Nobody has suggested anything between SLC and Moab, I note.
Jeremy
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Ruby's Inn just outside the entrance has nice facilities. Don't know if they're open in the winter though.
Later,
Johnny
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... Nobody has suggested anything between SLC and Moab, I note.
There are a couple of state parks along the way, but you already have a rather ambitious and widespread plan for such a short visit. You'd have Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion National Parks in a single line from Moab to Las Vegas. Canyonlands would be a detour. My general advice is to try to limit the number of places and stay longer in each of them, exploring various viewpoints and times of day.
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Ruby's Inn just outside the entrance has nice facilities. Don't know if they're open in the winter though.
Later,
Johnny
Ruby's is open during the winter. We stayed at The Grand Hotel right across the street from Ruby's. Great rates there this time of year. :)
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If you have a few extra hours while in SLC you might consider visiting Temple Square - beautiful architecture and landscaping plus extra friendly tour guides.
Later,
Johnny
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There are a couple of state parks along the way, but you already have a rather ambitious and widespread plan for such a short visit. You'd have Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion National Parks in a single line from Moab to Las Vegas. Canyonlands would be a detour. My general advice is to try to limit the number of places and stay longer in each of them, exploring various viewpoints and times of day.
I'm sure you're right. I think I'll aim to get from LA to Moab in a day, spend say three days based in Moab going out to Arches and Canyonlands, then drive to Bryce for a couple of nights, then to DV for the last three. I have the option of breaking the drive from Bryce to DV, which I recall is quite a hike.
Anybody have any suggestions for places to stay in / near Moab?
Jeremy
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We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. It's at the north end of town so you don't have to drive all the way through town and you can get to Arches in just a matter of minutes. Great rates in all of Moab at the time you are going. Hit the Moab Brewery at least once for lunch/dinner. :)
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In Boulder, Utah, there is a side road that takes you to a gorgeous slot canyon. Ask locally for the details. There is also a most excellent cafe called the Hell's Backbone Grill - one does not expect to find such a great eatery in this place!
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Anybody have any suggestions for places to stay in / near Moab?
Red Cliffs Lodge
...plus extra friendly tour guides.
How delightfully devious ;)
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Driving over the boulders from Bryce to Capitol Reef could be a bit of a crapshoot in March. Highway 12 tops out at over 9000' on that stretch of highway. One good Utah snowstorm and it could be a very long and very sketchy drive.
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We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. It's at the north end of town so you don't have to drive all the way through town and you can get to Arches in just a matter of minutes. Great rates in all of Moab at the time you are going. Hit the Moab Brewery at least once for lunch/dinner. :)
Last time I dove by there, the wife and I witnessed them throwing out mattresses by the bunches. We both looked at each other and almost at the same time said, "Bedbugs". Now why they threw them out, we don't really know. However, I do know that Moab has had several hotels that have become "infested" with them recently.
http://bedbugregistry.com/location/UT/
Also rather than flying from Los Angles to SLC, why not fly to Grand Junction, Co. It's a much quicker and easier drive.
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Last time I dove by there, the wife and I witnessed them throwing out mattresses by the bunches. We both looked at each other and almost at the same time said, "Bedbugs". Now why they threw them out, we don't really know. However, I do know that Moab has had several hotels that have become "infested" with them recently.
http://bedbugregistry.com/location/UT/
Also rather than flying from Los Angles to SLC, why not fly to Grand Junction, Co. It's a much quicker and easier drive.
No "Bedbugs", they were in the process of a re-model. Hotel was super-clean. :)
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Also rather than flying from Los Angles to SLC, why not fly to Grand Junction, Co. It's a much quicker and easier drive.
Thanks for the suggestion but there don't appear to be any direct flights, and routing via Phoenix is both more expensive and adds a couple of hours to the journey.
Jeremy
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Driving over the boulders from Bryce to Capitol Reef could be a bit of a crapshoot in March. Highway 12 tops out at over 9000' on that stretch of highway. One good Utah snowstorm and it could be a very long and very sketchy drive.
What's the drive along UT-20 to I-15 likely to be like, and is there an alternative?
I've left myself an overnight stop somewhere between Bryce and DV. Any suggestions?
Jeremy
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What's the drive along UT-20 to I-15 likely to be like, and is there an alternative?
I'm not really sure what you are asking, or what your starting and final destinations might be. I've driven most of the main roads in that part of the world. Give me a little more info and I'll gladly help.
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... I've left myself an overnight stop somewhere between Bryce and DV. Any suggestions?
Not sure if you are looking for a place just to spend the night, or you'd have enough time to explore a bit? You have Zion National Park and Valley of Fire State Park. "Overnight stop" wouldn't be enough for Zion, other than a cursory glance.
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I've left myself an overnight stop somewhere between Bryce and DV. Any suggestions?
Jeremy
Pahrump, NV. It's about 350 miles from Bryce, not including any stops at Zion along the way. Pahrump has several large hotels and restaurants priced well below those in Vegas and positions you perfectly for a hour-long run morning in to Death Valley with the sun at your back. Leave before dawn.
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I just did an UT & AZ trip last summer. My itinerary looks like this: Vegas- Lake Powell- Antelope- Monument Valley- Arches- Capitol Reef- Bryce- Zion- back to Vegas.
They are all great places for pictures. Hope this help.
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I'm not really sure what you are asking, or what your starting and final destinations might be. I've driven most of the main roads in that part of the world. Give me a little more info and I'll gladly help.
Bryce to DV. I was responding to your comment about the dangers of relying on Highway 12 being clear. Would UT20 and I15 probably be OK?
Jeremy
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Not sure if you are looking for a place just to spend the night, or you'd have enough time to explore a bit? You have Zion National Park and Valley of Fire State Park. "Overnight stop" wouldn't be enough for Zion, other than a cursory glance.
Just an overnight stop, really: somewhere not too far off the direct route between Bryce and DV. I'm going to be back in Vegas in April and I'm planning a trip to Valley of Fire then. I'm sure Zion is far too extensive, and it's a bit closer to Bryce than I had in mind.
Jeremy
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I just did an UT & AZ trip last summer. My itinerary looks like this: Vegas- Lake Powell- Antelope- Monument Valley- Arches- Capitol Reef- Bryce- Zion- back to Vegas.
They are all great places for pictures. Hope this help.
I think you must have had a lot more time than I do!
Jeremy
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Pahrump, NV. It's about 350 miles from Bryce, not including any stops at Zion along the way. Pahrump has several large hotels and restaurants priced well below those in Vegas and positions you perfectly for a hour-long run morning in to Death Valley with the sun at your back. Leave before dawn.
Sounds good. I drove through Pahrump in October 2012, just before the elections. I had to stop to take the shot here: I can only assume that the w-word doesn't have the same connotations in the US as it does in England. We occasionally find the need to use it for our district judges, but it's not a compliment.
Jeremy
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The entire state is fabulous. Every place, even north of Salt Lake heading up to Jackson and Yellowstone. Just an amazing place and also do not forget Monument Valley, which is kinda in Utah.
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There is a lot to see and photograph between SLC and Moab. Having said that, if I were you, I would just plan to get to Moab straight away rather than wandering around in the Swell or elsewhere en route to Moab. This is a target rich environment and from the standpoint of productivity you'll be much more satisfied here than areas in between SLC and Moab. You've already received some solid suggestions for areas to photograph around Moab. I'll add that you might find my ebook, "The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park (http://www.naturescapes.net/store/the-essential-guide-to-photographing-arches-national-park-ebook-by-bret-edge.html)" to be of value. Don't hesitate to stop in at my gallery in Moab if you've got questions about the area upon your arrival. The Edge Gallery is at 137 N. Main St., right next to the best breakfast joint in town: The Love Muffin.
From Moab you have three options: go south toward Monument Valley or go north and then west toward Capitol Reef or Zion via I-70. Zion via I-70 is the fastest, least scenic route. Either of the other two routes will take longer but are more scenic in spades, especially the route that goes through Capitol Reef, over Boulder Mountain via Hwy. 12 and through Grand Staircase-Escalante en route to Bryce and/or Zion. Truly, you cannot go wrong with any of these routes. If you go south toward Monument Valley you'll have the opportunity to shoot that area, then Page/Lake Powell, possibly Grand Canyon, on your way to Zion and Death Valley. Definitely set aside a day or so to explore Valley of Fire SP in Nevada.
Best of luck. May the sweet light be with you!
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Bryce to DV. I was responding to your comment about the dangers of relying on Highway 12 being clear. Would UT20 and I15 probably be OK?
Bryce to Death Valley won't be the issue. Getting from Moab to Bryce is what could get tricky (if you decide to go Highway 12, and the weather turns ugly). Brett pretty much has is covered.
The best/easiest way to get from Bryce to DV is down Highway 89 and then Highway 9 thru Zion (to Springdale and St. George (where you pick up I-15). Note that if you go that way, you have to pay the Zion National park entrance fee. However, for the number of parks you are wanting to visit, I'd HIGHLY recommend spending the $80 for the national parks pass. Once you have that, you won't have to pay another fee for 12 months. Considering that it's $10 at Arches, $10 at Canyonlands, $25 for Bryce, $25 for Zion and $20 for Death Valley, it makes economic sense.
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Pahrump, NV. It's about 350 miles from Bryce, not including any stops at Zion along the way. Pahrump has several large hotels and restaurants priced well below those in Vegas and positions you perfectly for a hour-long run morning in to Death Valley with the sun at your back. Leave before dawn.
Plus, it's where the whore houses are located....I've heard.
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I've just spent another week in Boulder, Utah, (great weather, empty Escalante, paradise really). You shouldn't miss Highway 12. They told me in Boulder that the road clearance ops are very efficient, but if you hear that the high route is blocked, you can reach Boulder with this extremely scenic, partly dirt road alternative (gas up in Hanksville):
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1594818/pix/HanksvilleToBoulder.jpg)
And if you do, then consider hiking Upper Muley Twist canyon and up to the rim of the Waterpocket Fold. For me this is the biggest bang for the least effort of any hike I know. 4wd desirable, but you should fork out for an SUV anyway. Just make sure they don't give you a 2wd SUV.
In winter some car rental locations charge nutty rates for SUVs which can justify flying from SLC or Denver to e.g. Grand Junction or St George or Cedar City if you can save $100's on rental and a few hours of driving
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... if you hear that the high route is blocked, you can reach Boulder with this extremely scenic, partly dirt road alternative (gas up in Hanksville):
I'll second that recommendation. This road is all low elevation and delightful from end to end. Unless the weather has been poor, any roadworthy vehicle can safely negotiate it. The paved, southern portion of the road threads a very scenic narrow canyon. The gravel, northern portion traverses the Waterpocket Fold.
Here's an image of the road at its most difficult.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/11847591223_2542e0be96_o.jpg)
To get a sense of part of road, notice the second vehicle, one inch up from the bottom border and two inches in from the left. Frito (my Sprinter) is RWD.
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There is a lot to see and photograph between SLC and Moab. Having said that, if I were you, I would just plan to get to Moab straight away rather than wandering around in the Swell or elsewhere en route to Moab. This is a target rich environment and from the standpoint of productivity you'll be much more satisfied here than areas in between SLC and Moab. You've already received some solid suggestions for areas to photograph around Moab. I'll add that you might find my ebook, "The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park (http://www.naturescapes.net/store/the-essential-guide-to-photographing-arches-national-park-ebook-by-bret-edge.html)" to be of value. Don't hesitate to stop in at my gallery in Moab if you've got questions about the area upon your arrival. The Edge Gallery is at 137 N. Main St., right next to the best breakfast joint in town: The Love Muffin.
From Moab you have three options: go south toward Monument Valley or go north and then west toward Capitol Reef or Zion via I-70. Zion via I-70 is the fastest, least scenic route. Either of the other two routes will take longer but are more scenic in spades, especially the route that goes through Capitol Reef, over Boulder Mountain via Hwy. 12 and through Grand Staircase-Escalante en route to Bryce and/or Zion. Truly, you cannot go wrong with any of these routes. If you go south toward Monument Valley you'll have the opportunity to shoot that area, then Page/Lake Powell, possibly Grand Canyon, on your way to Zion and Death Valley. Definitely set aside a day or so to explore Valley of Fire SP in Nevada.
Best of luck. May the sweet light be with you!
I'd have to agree with Bret. The Moab area has the most bang-for-the-buck. Of course you can't get to each and every spot recommended here, but between Arches, CanyonLands, Dead Horse point, and Castle Valley area with the Fisher Towers, you can't go wrong spending as much time as you can in the Moab area.
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Thank you all for the advice: it's really very helpful indeed.
Bret, I already have your ebook (and Martrès's book) and I certainly intend to visit your gallery while I'm in Moab.
I'm looking forward to this trip! It's a shame I won't be able to visit every location that's been recommended. Next time.
Jeremy