Arches Nat'l. Park Road Closings: Planned the trip to Arches and Capitol Reed last fall and didn't find any mention at that time about road closures in Arches N/P from 7pm to 7m the...

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Planned the trip to Arches and Capitol Reed last fall and didn't find any mention at that time about road closures in Arches N/P from 7pm to 7m the days of the week that we will be there. We leave in three weeks and now I am at a loss about where to go for Milky Way and sunrise/sunset photo ops since we can't use the arches/windows for foregrounds. Staying in Moab, so trips to Canyonlands for 3am shooting would be quite a haul.

Does anyone know some good, safe locations with monuments to include in the frame? Out towards Castle Valley there's the Priest & Nuns but I think they may be too far off the road to show up much on a super wide angle shot of the MW. Wilson Arch is too dangerous to scramble up in the dark in order to shoot anything through and over the arch...or has anyone used it for the Milky Way from nearer the base?

I'm stumped--can anyone help?

The Watcher

Have a look at Looking Glass Rock, it's not far from Wilson Arch.

https://www.google.com/search?q=looking+glass+rock+utah+at+night&tbm=isch&imgil=_Sm2OgNoRQQMfM%253A%253BphVQl0XwJrmUyM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fcoloradoguy.com%25252Flooking-glass-rock%25252Futah.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=_Sm2OgNoRQQMfM%253A%252CphVQl0XwJrmUyM%252C_&usg=__a4ZWvW6OVgIfo6XRwWwQRodSAmY%3D&biw=1024&bih=673&ved=0ahUKEwissaCK-ZbTAhXD24MKHfwxDagQyjcILg&ei=Z-_pWOzhKsO3jwT847TACg#q=looking+glass+rock+utah+at+night&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:Cf0ptjoDaEUEIjiMPEHdm9jnKG4zCF-PxCTtsBuRzoPjUJ9vDt3Vz-vtlINEseAHCrud6h4dT6njumPFbwGdL9i61yoSCYw8Qd2b2OcoERX0taYYdNG5KhIJbjMIX4_1EJO0RphVQl0XwJrkqEgmwG5HOg-NQnxFoQOGiXrwneCoSCW8O3dXP6-2UEaYVUJdF8Ca5KhIJg0Sx4AcKu50RXuHo80jqzagqEgnqHh1PqeO6YxF4UdqH_1A4JxyoSCcVvAZ0v2LrXEXM1FQFvAnLK&spf=200

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

Thanks for that info. We leave for the same location the 2nd week of May. What else will you be doing during your trip?

The Watcher

Another place to consider is Goblin Valley, You could use Green River as your base of operations.

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

The Watcher wrote:

Have a look at Looking Glass Rock, it's not far fr... (show quote)

That looks like a great location for several shooting scenerios. If I am reading the Google Earth view correctly, there appears to be a dirt road that turns off before the parking lot that would bring us in on the northeast corner--is that a good access? Or is the lower parking lot the best access trail to get around to the north side of the rock? Thanks so much for sharing the link, Watcher!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

The Watcher wrote:

Another place to consider is Goblin Valley, You could use Green River as your base of operations.

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/

Yes, we'll be in Goblin as well on our way to Capitol Reef and will be staying in Hanksville both coming and going. I've been to Goblin once before on a day trip and look forward to getting back with opportunity to shoot the Milky Way. The best 'dark' nights for the MW will be those first few nights in Moab, though.

The Watcher

dmeyer wrote:

That looks like a great location for several shooting scenerios. If I am reading the Google Earth view correctly, there appears to be a dirt road that turns off before the parking lot that would bring us in on the northeast corner--is that a good access? Or is the lower parking lot the best access trail to get around to the north side of the rock? Thanks so much for sharing the link, Watcher!

Can't help you with the access roads. haven't been there in years.

Another consideration, ask the park service if you could spent the night in the windows section for photography reasons. There's no harm in trying.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

The Watcher wrote:

Can't help you with the access roads. haven't been there in years.

Another consideration, ask the park service if you could spent the night in the windows section for photography reasons. There's no harm in trying.

I've already read up on that and anyone found in the park during the hours of road work will be found in violation of the closing. It's an 'Absolutely No One' order. There are a few back entries into the park but not close enough to the Windows section for our intent.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Zaydewise wrote:

Thanks for that info. We leave for the same location the 2nd week of May. What else will you be doing during your trip?

The options for us include the Castle Valley area out Hwy. 128, the Potash Road northwest of town, south to Wilson (and now Looking Glass) arch, and Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point. During midday we'll check out the petroglyphs and scout out night locations for the Milky Way. We'll only have two full days before leaving for Goblin Valley and Capitol Reef. (Hope to have another good meal at Moab Brewery, too.)

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

What's the reason for the closures?

OhD Loc: West Richland, WA

A nice place to stay in Green River: http://www.skyfallguestrooms.com/
Karen and I spent an evening at Goblins and the night at Skyfall on a ski trip this winter. We liked it.

ricardo16

I would seriously consider going to Dead Horse Point State Park. There will be many options to frame the Milky Way. There is good potential for a shot of the Milky Way above and a glimmer of the river in the canyons below.
Good Luck!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

ptcanon3ti wrote:

What's the reason for the closures?

NPS is restoring all 26 miles of paved road system. They're doing the work at night from 7pm until 7am and in various sections during the day also. When they work on Fiery Furnace or Windows sections, for example, those areas may be shut down completely for 35 days. The only opening for night shooting will be Friday and Saturday nights--when I won't be there.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

OhD wrote:

A nice place to stay in Green River: http://www.skyfallguestrooms.com/
Karen and I spent an evening at Goblins and the night at Skyfall on a ski trip this winter. We liked it.

Thanks for the tip!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

ricardo16 wrote:

I would seriously consider going to Dead Horse Point State Park. There will be many options to frame the Milky Way. There is good potential for a shot of the Milky Way above and a glimmer of the river in the canyons below.
Good Luck!

We'll be at Dead Horse for early morning but I wasn't sure it would be photo worthy for the MW since we will be in the area during the 'dark skies' period of new moon. Would there be any ambient light to reach the river, you think?