Click on photo for larger image.
While Angel’s Landing and The Narrows’ hikes get all the pub and hype, the Observation Point Trail at Zion is a classic. You not only will receive a great workout, you’ll also capture some dramatic photos. It’s 4 miles up and of course 4 miles down. An elevation gain of over 2,100 feet will get your heart racing on the way up and put agonizing stress on your quads on the way down. At Observation Point, your are literally and figuratively looking down on those who climbed Angel’s Landing. There are a few places where you encounter huge exposure but there is plenty of room to negotiate the terrain safely. No safety chains on this trail! Autumn is the best time of year to conquer Observation Point as the 100 degree temps have left the area and the fall colors dominate the landscape at Zion. Below are images along the trail. You can purchase prints of these images at http://dawn2dawnphotography.com/ Click on the horizontal photos for a larger view.
To get the shots I really wanted, I went out and bought a backpack. A tent. A stove. A mattress. A headlamp. A small pillow. A Jet Boil. A knife. Extra camera batteries. Matches. A wine bota. If you want to shoot in the golden light, miles from the nearest road, you’re just going to have to pitch a tent and spend the night. It’s difficult to shoot around sunset and high tail it back to your car in the dark especially if you have to negotiate dangerous terrain. I’ve tried that in the past and ended up getting lost in the dark by losing the trail. The shots below were taken during various backpacking trips.
Corona Arch near Moab, Utah comes with a smile. Not photoshopped!
The look on the face of this grizzly bear at Yellowstone National Park still gives me the creeps. Looks like he is mad because I took his picture or that I found him finishing off this elk carcass. I was about 100 yards from him and only 50 yards to my vehicle. He was also in the middle of the Yellowstone River on a small island. So I felt safe.
The remote and rough Cottonwood Canyon Road weaves its way for 47 miles through The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah. Do NOT attempt to drive this road under wet conditions. You won’t make it. I did it a few weeks ago on a hot and sunny day and found this scene that resembles something out of Egypt. Pyramids.
The online lottery process that chooses 10 fortunates per day may have up to 1,000 losers. Yes, I met 2 guys from North Carolina at The Wave who said they were 2 of 880 applicants for that one day. The in-person lottery has better odds but you have to show up in Kanab, Utah at the BLM office by 9:00 am sharp. There is more than one BLM office in Kanab. Hint, think Dave Thomas. There may be over 100 people clutching what they hope is one of 10 magic numbers for that days’ drawing which grants you access for the next day. I’ve seen the winners celebrate as if Publishers Clearing House had just shown up at their door. On one occasion, I was one of 10 hoping to get the final permit for the day and my heart had never beaten faster. I got the permit but kept my cool. I live about 50 miles from Kanab so I can go when I’m most likely to score a permit. I’m not going to give you too many particulars on when is the best time to try for the lottery. My heart can’t take it. But here’s what you’ll get. Images are available as downloadable files or prints by clicking on photo. Except the one of me.
It was 98 degrees yesterday but a line of clouds passing through Zion National Park produced an image with depth. This was not an HDR photo. Click on image to purchase a print or downloadable file.
Companion Zion Time Lapse Video.
From 6 Different Spots On The Eastside Of The Park- Lots OF White Puffy Clouds Even AT 98 Degrees!!