Photo trip to Arizona

Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 264 Location: Canada

Hi Ya'll, I'm wondering if anyone has been through California, Nevada and Arizona for a photo trip before. We'll be doing a one week road trip from B.C. down to Page Arizona to photograph Antelope Canyon (Yipee!) and would like to know of some great places to stop on the way. We'll be camping and were thinking of seeing Death Valley as well as the grand canyon (either by horseback or helicopter). Anyone have any tips? What to wear? What did you find you needed most (photo-wise). It's going to be stinking hot, going in August, so I know we'll need water and all that.
Any out of the way places or unique experiences to share?
Thanks a million,
Alicia

Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 58 Location: Clearwater, FL

Hi Liquid,

Your right it's going to be hot. I remember driving though Death Valley in July one year and at midnight it was still above 120deg F. Remember the humidity is low so you'll dehydrate and not even know it. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat.

I liked Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. http://www.nps.gov/archive/cave/home.htm There's a cave walk and a bat flight. Unfortunatly No cameras aloud for the bat flight. If you make it to New Mexico try a green chili cheese burger.

In California I found a cool road to take from around Napa Valley to Stewerts Point on the coast north of San Francisco. It's long and winding through forests and mountains. Saw quite a number of deer. 101 south between Cloverdale and Geyserville head west on Canyon RD. to Stewerts Point Skaggs Spring RD. It dead ends on US 1 Shoreline HWY. Turn south and it takes you right into San Fransisco. This is a long drive so plan accordingly.

The strip in vegas is pretty neat with all the lights. There's also Hoover Dam on the Nevada, Arizona border not far from Las Vegas.

I hope you have fun on your trip, there's plenty of things to see and photograph.

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:25 pm

You will be traveling in prime photo oportunity areas. Be careful in Antelope Canyon in August because it is a rainy season there then. If it rains anywhere near the place don't go in, very dangerous.

Other places...hmmm... you sure you only have a week? Grand Canyon is great of course, there's also Havasupai canyon/falls a little West of the Grand Canyon National Park proper. From the Canyon going toward Page you will likely pass through a little hole-in-the-wall town on the reservation called Cameron. If you pass through there around lunch or dinner time make sure you stop and have lunch in the restaurant in the back of the gift shop. Order a Navajo Taco, they are the best and the restaurant is gorgeous... but one would never know just by driving by. If you have time, and likely you will not, make your way to the North rim of the Canyon, i think it is far prettier and far less crowded. 90% of the images you see of the Canyon are from the South rim, the North offers a fresh view and is 1,000 feet higher in elevation. Try to make it out the Point Royal as well as the North Rim Lodge.

Then nearby Page (don't forget Horshoe Bend) you could side track to Monument Valley, then up to Canyon Lands, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion. If you go to Zion and have some hiking time make your way up to the top of Angel's Landing... but only of you are OK with heights.

You could finish up by going back through Vegas.

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:44 pm

If it's anything like Canyonlands park around Moab, the sunset afterglow will be a great time to do some low contrast surreal photography. Once there's just a band of golden / red light on the horizon acting as your light source the rocks will really start to glow, and you'll get this really nice soft contrast. So stick around when other photographers start to pack it up ;)

This will give you the general idea of what I mean by soft contrast after sunset:

I also noticed that all the rocks act like reflectors so you can get all kinds of neat light effects in the canyons, etc, at various times of the day. A brightly lit rock face will cover everything on the shady side with golden light. Of course mid-day contrast is brutally high in the open sun though.

Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 82

What route were you planing on taking? I highly recomend taking 395 down the east side of the sierras for some great scenery. I recently drove to Devils postpile National monument and stopped at: Lake tahoe, Inyo craters, mamoth, mono lake, and Bodie. All great photo oppourtunities. You can see a map of my route and some of the pics here
http://captnemo.smugmug.com/gallery/3085735
I have also driven further south on 395 to fossil falls though if you're heading to death valley that's probably a little out of the way. Pictures of that trip here
http://captnemo.smugmug.com/gallery/2207906#114916482
A friend at work just returned from Death valley, the grand canyon and Bryce and he had a great time I'm looking forward to the pictures he took.

Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Posts: 264 Location: Canada

Thanks Guys! Not only for the tips, but also for sharing your photos. I can't wait to see what awaits. I'm a bit nervous about Antelope Canyon, but I don't think we'll go in if there's clouds in the sky. I'm going to look up more about the tour company we're going with, and the safety concerns. I know it's Monsoon season, that freaks me out. Plus, we'll be camping. Typical, my mum always makes it rain. :P

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:21 am

Quote:

Typical, my mum always makes it rain.

We've had an extremely 'dry' monsoon. If your Mum makes it rain, I for one will send her roses. ;)

We need rain! Have fun on your trip. It will be fun to see your images.