Hiking

A Subway In Utah?

Desert Southwest, National Parks, Photography, Waterfalls, Zion

Back in October, three friends and I trekked up the Left Fork of North Creek at Zion National Park. It had been awhile since I last visited this amazing product of nature formed by millions of years of erosion but it was well worth it. It’s a 10 mile hike requiring boulder hopping, numerous creek crossings and a 1,000 foot climb out of the canyon at the very end. I haven’t done much hiking this year and I felt it in my quads the next day.

Fall colors have arrived at Zion National Park’s North Creek

Water flows at Archangel Cascades at Zion National Park’s Left Fork of North Creek, Utah

Now you know why they call it The Subway.

That fallen tree wasn’t there the last time.

The tall canyon walls that North Creek flows through.

A crack in the sandstone at Zion National Park’s Subway is a portal for the flowing water

Yant Flat

Desert Southwest, Utah

This geologic anomaly is anything but flat. Located near St. George, Utah, at the base of the Pine Valley Mountains, this landscape is a gnarly, twisted abstract in nature. Along with some friends, I visited this spot for the first time even though I’ve lived near Yant Flat for the last 10 years.

More Of Edmaier’s Secret

Desert Southwest, Utah

I’d Rather Be….. Hiking With Friends at Buckskin Gulch or Spooky?

Desert Southwest

This was from a few years ago but the same friends are visiting in a few weeks. Maybe Buckskin Gulch or Hole In the Rock Road’s Spooky Gulch.

Hiking in Buckskin Gulch at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Utah

Spooky Gulch at The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah.

Hiking Canyonland’s Needles District

National Parks, Utah

Canyonlands National Park in Southeastern Utah, is one of my favorite places, especially the Needles District. It is raw, stark and relatively untouched by humans. It’s amazing that you can actually hike through this landscape, although its not for everyone. The trail I took was a loop hike, 11 miles in length. I started at Squaw Flat Campground and negotiated the ups and downs through Elephant and Squaw Canyons. There was one spot just past Squaw Canyon where I could barely fit through a crack in the sandstone. Couldn’t even get a photo of it.

This slot is about 2 1/2 feet wide.

They embedded this metal ladder into the sandstone so you can get up into the remarkable Squaw Canyon

Unusually shaped and colored rock formations make up the landscape at the Needles District at Canyonlands National Park, Utah — This is Squaw Canyon. You can see the second ladder towards the bottom center.

The sun sets at the Needles District at Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Canyonlands Needles District — Finishing at one of the best campgrounds you’ll ever find

The full moon or supermoon rises over The Needles District at Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Relaxed in time to watch the supermoon rising.

Zion’s Amazing Narrows

Desert Southwest, Images, National Parks, Out In The Field, Photography, Photos, Utah, Zion

It’s September and time to make the trek up the Virgin River at Zion National Park, Utah. The water was warm and refreshing on a 95 F degree day. I lugged 2 cameras, 2 lenses, a tripod and my hiking pole amongst other gadgets and some energy. If you’ll be doing The Narrows yourself, you can rent the necessary gear at Zion Outfitter. In case you missed it, see the time lapse video from The Narrows by clicking on link Narrows Time Lapse. Following are the images I captured. Click on image for larger view.

Zion National Park’s Observation Point Trail

Desert Southwest, Out In The Field, Zion

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.

Zion's Observation Pt Trail_8576 — The view looking back at the beginning of the trail.

Echo Canyon_8585 — Entering Echo Canyon with its 1,500 foot high sandstone walls.

Echo Canyon Falls_2248 — Seasonal waterfalls flow out of Echo Canyon

Echo Canyon_4833 — Fall colors have arrived at Echo Canyon

Echo Canyon_7569 — Hikers enjoying the scene.

ZION BIGHORN SHEEP — You may encounter Desert Bighorn Sheep along the trail such as these young ewes.

Lone Ponderosa — A Ponderosa Pine seemingly grows from the sandstone walls

Cable Mountain appears at the three mile mark.

Observation Point_7548 — At Observation Point, you look down on Angel’s Landing on the right and Zion Canyon to the south.

Echo Canyon_4842 — And back down through Echo Canyon where by this time, your knees and ankles are stiff and sore.

YNP COYOTE CROSSING ROAD — And one more view of Zion Canyon

Why You Should Take Up Backpacking

California, Desert Southwest, Out In The Field, Sierras, Yellowstone

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.