Sedona and Grand Canyon
Hi Hoggers
I am planning a car trip from San Diego next week to Sedona for one night and then driving to Grand Canyon for two nights. Please help me with suggestions as to what would be good spots not to miss as well as what equipment I should take. I have a Sony A7iii, with a Sony 16-35mm, Tamron 24-70mm, Nikon D750, with 24-120mm, 28-300mm, 10-24mm, 20mm, 105mm, 18-55mm, 55-200mm, and Tamron 150-600mm G1, Gitzo tripod, and ND & CPL filters. I would like to carry on hikes what will fit in my backpack. I am more familiar with my Nikon as I have owned it now for over 4 years and purchased Sony late last year.
I am 75 yrs and still can carry some equipment but not too much. I want to do more landscape photography and some wild life if comes my way.
Look forward to hearing your suggestions on good spots and choice of equipment.
Thanks.
Mikky
I would recommend Arcosanti, Jerome, Tuzigoot, south of Flagstaff and in the Sedona area. Then drive east on I 40 to Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Canyon De Chelly. All the second bunch are east of Flagstaff. Then you can go north to the Vermillion Cliffs, Bryce Canyon In Utah. Then north east to Moab and Canyonlands, Islands in the Sky, Arches National Parks/Monuments.
These places should only take 2 weeks to see.đ In all seriousness, these are places that I have been to and tend to revisit every 3 or 4 years. Also, the North Rim will be open for visitors now.
As far as equipment, I would take the D750 with the 10-24, 28-300, & the 150-600. I have a D610 and usually take my 17-35, 28-300, & my 200-500. I also have a 50mm f1.8 that gets put in my pocket although it doesn't get used outside at all.
Around Sedona (south of town) itâs a bit of a cliche shot, but shooting Cathedral Rock from Red Rock Crossing is one of those shots many photographers have on their bucket list. You can get a good shoot from the Crescent Moon Picnic Area, but itâs much more fun to wade out into the nearby creek and set up you tripod on one of the slick rock bars in the middle of the creek. Youâll be shooting east so best time of day will be late afternoon just about sundown. Watch your timing so you can get back to your car and exit before they lock the gates to the park.
You have to find a budding photographer partner to help carry your stuff. Teach him/her in exchange and take them along. I made back packs for whatever type shoots needed and just grab that back pack and run out the door but I'm young at 58 years old. LOL Not much of my gear is light, but it's great stuff on Pro level so I expected to have back packs. You could wear one and the partner the other. Oh and my tripods are heavy too. Cheers
sb
Loc: Florida's East Coast
The suggestions for Sedona are good. My favorite parts of Sedona are the many day hikes you can take into the red rocks canyons areas. Just Google "hiking in Sedona" if you will have a few hours to take a short day hike.
Schnebley Hill Road outside Sedona has good photographic options. Don't try it with a standard passenger car, though.
These recommendations are based on my trip to Sedona and GC 16 years ago.
Check out Boynton Canyon in Sedona. There is a nice rock formation called Kachina Woman. If you are not up for hiking the trail there, you can get nice shots from the Enchantment Resort (yes, itâs a real place). I would call ahead to be sure you can park there if you are not a guest. I donât remember if there was any other nearby parking.
Another place to check out is Montezuma Castle (Native American cliff dwellings) nearby Sedona.
If you also play golf, check out the Robert Trent Jones designed Oak Tree Country Club in nearby village of Oak Tree. There are great red rock views from the golf course. Just donât slow down play if you are taking pictures.
At the Grand Canyon check out Lookout Lodge for some incredible views...then again, anywhere in Grand Canyon has an incredible view.
Have fun!!!
Definitely the 10-24! I doubt that youâll need your longest lens. Take a reasonable zoom and those two should be good for hiking. Start with the 10-24 mounted.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
vbhargava wrote:
Hi Hoggers
I am planning a car trip from San Diego next week to Sedona for one night and then driving to Grand Canyon for two nights. Please help me with suggestions as to what would be good spots not to miss as well as what equipment I should take. I have a Sony A7iii, with a Sony 16-35mm, Tamron 24-70mm, Nikon D750, with 24-120mm, 28-300mm, 10-24mm, 20mm, 105mm, 18-55mm, 55-200mm, and Tamron 150-600mm G1, Gitzo tripod, and ND & CPL filters. I would like to carry on hikes what will fit in my backpack. I am more familiar with my Nikon as I have owned it now for over 4 years and purchased Sony late last year.
I am 75 yrs and still can carry some equipment but not too much. I want to do more landscape photography and some wild life if comes my way.
Look forward to hearing your suggestions on good spots and choice of equipment.
Thanks.
Mikky
Hi Hoggers br I am planning a car trip from San Di... (
show quote)
Tripadvisor.com
Also, sunset at the airport in Sedona, do not miss it. And, it is free, well, maybe parking, not sure they still charge but it is still a good deal.
We just spent 3 months in Sedona ; took at least 75 different hikes. Everywhere you look is a different and quite spectacular photo opportunity. Check Trip Advisor: Sedona: Forums: Questions for complete descriptions of where to go in Sedona. You will return because one day barely gives you a taste. At Grand Canyon we walked about 12 miles along the rim. Once you leave bus/car locations you will have the place to yourself
I would pass on Sedona and spend 3 days at Grand Canyon.
I lived in Flagstaff for 25 years and spent probably 10 times more time in Sedona area than the GC. Sedona has more diversity and is more accessible. There are a number of National parks that don't have the scenery that is around Sedona. So far Oak Creek Canyon has not been mentioned, You could spend your 3 days in it and not see all there is to see. Start with Indian Head Arch and Slide Rock State Park.
We visited Sedona and G.C. in November - I shoot exclusively with a Nikon D7200 and for 99% of my photos, I used my 18-140mm lens. I had a 150-600 with me and put it on the camera in hopes I would catch a California Condor, but no luck. Stick with the 28-300. Do not miss sunrise!!! Stay hydrated.
In Sedona, Cathedral Rock is a good bet as well as sunset up at the airport. Enjoy!
From a Sedona resident and volunteer photographer for the Forest Service, with only one day
Cathedral Rock from the Baldwin Loop side, late afternoon. Hike part of Chuckwagon from Long Canyon Road to get variety of big scenes from short sections that are higher up plus areas lower down when you cross small drainages. Drive Dry Creek Road to Boynton Pass to the end of pavement and then turn around. Many places to get out and take photos. Don't bother with Boynton Canyon if you do this drive. They do charge up at the airport and sunset views from Baldwin Loop area (Verde Valley School Road) are much better. Alternative is sunset shots from along Upper Red Rock Loop Road. Do not miss driving up or down Oak Creek Canyon Road pending whether you are going to or coming from GC. Do it during daytime otherwise the shadows are too annoying in the steep canyon.
azted
Loc: Las Vegas, NV.
Been to Sedona numerous times. Take the "Pink Jeep" tour, which will take you to places with spectacular scenery that you cannot get on your own. The Sony A7iii with the 16-35 lens will give you great shots and be easier to carry as the ride is rigorous.
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