This is the first post of three capturing the fall color season at Zion National Park, Utah. Peak colors arrived a few weeks later than normal and was quite beautiful. While shooting the fall foliage, I noticed a number of geological wonders I had not noticed before. Those images will appear in the next post.
You’re probably wondering about the name. William Granstaff , a black man, settles in Moab in 1877 and successfully becomes a cattle rancher. The trail leads you through this glorious canyon composed of Navajo Sandstone, Cottonwoods, Willows, Juniper, Pinyon Pine, some prickly Cactus and one refreshing perennial creek. The big payoff is at the end(2 1/4 miles from the trailhead), the Morning Glory Natural Bridge, at 243 feet wide. A natural bridge is an arch but with water running under it.
Yellowstone National Park is a wonderland of waterways. Living in the parched desert of Southern Utah, I was jealous of the vast network of waterfalls and rivers that are ubiquitous in the park. During my recent trip to Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons, I was amazed how green and lush the landscape was. And don’t forget the hot waters from springs that generate a myriad of colors from the bacteria that flourish there. Click on image for larger view. To purchase prints of these images and the latest go to What’s New!
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.
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.
The setting sun lights Coalmine Canyon afire in Northern Arizona. Click on photo to purchase a print.
A few recent images from Zion National Park. Taken from the hills in my backyard.
My friend Dale was nice enough and brave enough to pose for this shot on the edge of Zion Canyon at Zion National Park. He’s about 1,500 feet above the canyon floor. I kept motioning him to move closer to the edge and he obliged. Wearing a red shirt helped to make him stand out amongst this massive landscape. I was also on the edge when I took this shot but flat on my stomach.
