Visit to Monument Valley
Dec 13, 2017 12:25:52 #
nhastings wrote:
Whatever else you do, don't miss Sedona and Red Rock Canyon. An absolute must on your way from Phoenix north. Some of the best photography in Arizona and the entire Southwest.
Sedona is a ways away from Monument Valley area. Many closer things to spend time at.
Dec 13, 2017 12:42:20 #
jsimp3 wrote:
I have the long-awaited opportunity to visit Monum... (show quote)
Antelope canyon is great, but do not take the regular tour if you want to get good photos. It is too quick. Take the photo tour. There are good photo ops at the dam, just downstream. there is also horseshoe bend. There is two canyons, upper and lower antelope, both are good. Take the tour up the lake to the far end. Canyon de chelly is good to and not to far away.......google others if yoiu have the time. You might even get a milky way shot. My granddaughter lives between Flag and page and gets great shots of it. Just get to a DARK area!
Dec 13, 2017 12:46:09 #
AzYooper
Loc: Sun Lakes AZ (Almost Phoenix)
Sedona is on the way for you from Phoenix to Monument Valley, and back to Phoenix, but it will require at least a day to do justice
Dec 13, 2017 15:15:12 #
Dec 13, 2017 15:19:50 #
If they do a good job and are genuinely warm and accommodating, $20 per person. If they are aloof and seem to not care about you, nothing.
Dec 13, 2017 15:22:20 #
cytafex
Loc: Clarksburg MA
I'd suggest you taking a tour to Mystery Valley within Monument Valley, spectacular scenery and cultural resources abound and it's worth every penny for the tour. Heading south from Monument Valley are many place to stop, Navajo National Monument, and driving by the Painted Desert and a short side trip to Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado is not too far off the road. Of course the Grand Canyon is not far and Lee's Ferry is a short drive and where the river trips start and quite interesting and scenic. Sunset Crater is loop road before Flagstaff before heading down to Sedona and I highly recommend stopping at Jerome just south, the real deal and very interesting communitybefore heading south to Phoenix. Toom many places and not enough of time!
Dec 13, 2017 15:40:42 #
I moved to Sedona from the beaches of Southern California in 1978. Have lived in the Four Corners region ever since, currently Telluride, CO. I personally don't think there is an overall more scenic part of the country for never-ending photographic opportunities. Throughout this thread there are many wonderful tips on where to go, what to see and how to capture the many images available. After 40 years exploring the Four Corners region, I feel I have only begun to scratch the surface of the wonders and magnificence of this region; the varying moods the seasons bring to it. Enjoy your explorations. You will continue to come back.
Dec 13, 2017 17:28:20 #
I stayed at the View Hotel a few years ago. Every room has a balcony and a view of Monument Valley which is east of the hotel. Sunrise can be beautiful from your own room. Your bedroom is a perfect place for sunrise pictures.
Dec 13, 2017 17:30:53 #
That's great... thanks again for all the insight. I plan to visit as many sites as possible during my stay. You guys are great!!!
Dec 13, 2017 17:54:36 #
nhastings wrote:
I have stayed at The View a few times. In my humble opinion it is definitely worth it. However, better make your reservations asap. They get a ton of tourist busses and it gets sold out regularly. You can't just drop in and expect to get a room. Check it out. Worth the views from your room. Good luck. When I lived in Sedona there was no McDonalds. WOW, turquoise arches. I will have to make a trip down there.
I would agree that the view from the View hotel is definitely worth it. Not only can you get decent shots from the hotel balcony, but you are well-positioned for finding good locations for early morning and late night photo opportunities. It is a terrific place to stay, and I would stay there again. It is also true that you need to reserve rooms well in advance. I also found the tours from inside Monument Valley very worthwhile, as the Navajo know where the light is going to fall when and actually have a wonderful sense of where to be. I was ready to call it a day and the wonderful guide talked me out of it and guided me to a spot which produced wonderful sunset light. If you do go to Antelope Canyon, you should do the photo tour. They are smaller and are designed to help you catch the light.
Dec 13, 2017 19:55:33 #
CraigZ58
Loc: McNeal, AZ, & Newport, OR
When we hiked the Slot Canyon area last spring, we went with www.hikingslotcanyons.com (928) 640-0796 This is a small operation. They give private tours and go at your pace. Same price as the other operators charge for a group tour. This is a family operation. The tour guides played in these canyons as kids.
While in Monument Valley we were in an RV so I can't tell you about the hotels.
Meteor Crater is amazing. Not exactly photogenic. But to stand there, look at a huge hole and realize a meteor struck there takes your breath away. This was a roadside attraction in the Route 66 days.
While in Monument Valley we were in an RV so I can't tell you about the hotels.
Meteor Crater is amazing. Not exactly photogenic. But to stand there, look at a huge hole and realize a meteor struck there takes your breath away. This was a roadside attraction in the Route 66 days.
Dec 13, 2017 20:30:46 #
Remember, in January it is winter in that high desert country. I great opportunity for interesting photos, but plan on cold and snow.
I lived on the reservation and loved it.
I lived on the reservation and loved it.
Dec 13, 2017 21:25:19 #
photoed wrote:
Remember, in January it is winter in that high desert country. I great opportunity for interesting photos, but plan on cold and snow.
I lived on the reservation and loved it.
I lived on the reservation and loved it.
Speaking of January, if there is snow or ice on mountainous roads, you'll need chains.
Dec 13, 2017 22:28:28 #
I don't recall the name but there is a Indian Hotel which is on the road to the three Monument mountains - but you have to pay for access. They have a restaurant, and a nice gift store - and since you have to pay to use the road to get there so might as well spend the money and get some more use. Better yet the hotel parking lot has tour guides, those roads are rough, leave the driving to them. Get pictures early and late.
Dec 13, 2017 23:58:23 #
The View is much closer (probably one mile closer) to the buttes than Gouldings. We stayed at the View, it is pricy, but well worth it, in my opinion. If you enjoy astrophotography, you will also want to get a room on the third floor with the "Star View" as it has a better view from the horizon up to 90 degrees above the horizon and you will want your room as far away from the lobby as possible (less light pollution from lobby, restaurant, and gift shop). The hotel faces east and has spectacular sunrise views and amazing sunset views with the red glow lighting up the buttes, all from your room's balcony. Attached are photos from our third floor "Star View" room. The skies are very dark at this location and we plan to stay at the View again, on a "new moon" night.
View Hotel
Sunset view from room with 28mm lens on full frame DSLR
Moonlit nighttime landscape with stars from room
Sunset with 160mm lens on full frame DSLR from room.
Sunrise with 28mm lens on full frame DSLR from room
Dark sky stars with 24mm lens on full frame DSLR from room
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