AZ, NM, CO UT - Four Corners Trip
May 15, 2017 09:29:10 #
patmalone51
Loc: Washington, DC., Montgomery County, MD
I just got back from a 5-day photo trip to the Moab UT area. Here are some of my pix. https://www.flickr.com/gp/53535718@N06/u0876T
The location is in the metadata on each photo. I found the best places for me were some of the more obscure canyons near Moab which had plenty of running water and thus good vegetation and water reflections and such -- Granstaff Canyon, Hunter Canyon, Mill Creek Canyon - all a very short drive from downtown Moab to the trailheads. The only other people there were knowledgeable locals.
PS: This is my first post to this forum.
The location is in the metadata on each photo. I found the best places for me were some of the more obscure canyons near Moab which had plenty of running water and thus good vegetation and water reflections and such -- Granstaff Canyon, Hunter Canyon, Mill Creek Canyon - all a very short drive from downtown Moab to the trailheads. The only other people there were knowledgeable locals.
PS: This is my first post to this forum.
May 15, 2017 09:49:13 #
If you enjoy badlands, Bisti Badlands, about 35 miles south of Farmington New Mexico, is absolutely spectacular. You could spend all 10 days there!
http://www.americansouthwest.net/new_mexico/bisti_badlands/
Jim
http://www.americansouthwest.net/new_mexico/bisti_badlands/
Jim
May 15, 2017 09:49:30 #
paulrph1
Loc: Washington, Utah
[quote=acellis]Hi all, would like recommendations for a trip to the four corners region. Two locations for sure that I have in mind are the Chaco Canyon for nighttime stars/astro photography and also antelope canyon (upper or lower???). I will be spending 7-10 days on this trip. Any recommendations on preparations (time of year, lodging, etc) or thoughts about these two sites and what else in this region would you recommend i research and visit in addition to these locations.
Upper Antelope Canyon be sure and book a photography tour. They limit the number of people and leave a little early to miss the crowds.
Upper Antelope Canyon be sure and book a photography tour. They limit the number of people and leave a little early to miss the crowds.
May 15, 2017 09:52:27 #
acellis wrote:
Hi all, would like recommendations for a trip to t... (show quote)
To my way of thinking the best time to visit the area is the fall and not just for any possible colors. Summer of course is hot and plumb full of tourists, winter can be tricky weather wise and plumb full of "snow birds". Spring in the area tends to be very windy creating camera stability problems and DUST.
May 15, 2017 09:58:15 #
patmalone51 wrote:
I just got back from a 5-day photo trip to the Moa... (show quote)
Welcome to the hog! I like your photos. A lot! Good eye
May 15, 2017 09:59:17 #
jethro779 wrote:
There are 7 National Monuments; Canyon De Chelly, Four Corners, Bents Fort, Florissant Fossil Beds, Montezuma Castle, Gila Cliff Dwellings, & Curicanti. There are 5 National Parks; Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Mesa Verde, & Zion. You can't see it all in 10 days.
==============
Ten Days??
WoW! (And This Me Talking Here)....
To me that is a Whirl-Wind tour. I spent about a month in that same area - Camped of course. (Took a motel from time to time to shower-off.)
However that is me - I do not have a "regular" job.
Good Luck on the trip - Please = Enjoy.
May 15, 2017 10:03:29 #
Going to Antelope Canyon at what time of the year? During tourist season, forget it, unless you want to be trampled. We visited there in January and February and had a great time shooting. Take the photo option of the tour. It costs double the regular but you get a 10 minute head start of the troops. Use a sturdy tripod, a good wide angle lens and a blower to clean your lens. Whatever you do, do not change lenses!!! The guides are great for giving info as far as settings. Good luck and great shooting.
WJH
WJH
May 15, 2017 10:10:31 #
jackpi
Loc: Southwest Ohio
acellis wrote:
Hi all, would like recommendations for a trip to t... (show quote)
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are both worth visiting. The lighting is different in each because Upper is much deeper than Lower. Best time to visit them is 9-10 AM. You need an 18mm to 24mm lens. Anything longer won't work. Do not change the lens and take a "pocket rocket" to occasionally blow the dust off your lens, lens shade, and camera during the tour. You can't use a tripod unless you are on the more expensive "photo tour," and they only run a few each day. If you plan to take the photo tour, reserve it weeks in advance. Your tour guides can recommend how to set your ISO, and other camera settings. Listen to them! Horseshoe bend is very close to Antelope Canyon. Visit it early (sunup) to avoid the crowds and don't get too close to the edge--the sandstone isn't as strong as it looks and people die there every year. Arrange to tour the Glen Canyon Dam. The best time to go is early spring or late fall--when children are in school. Stay in Page when visiting the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, Horseshoe Bend, and the GCD.
May 15, 2017 10:11:04 #
If you are going into Page (Antelope Valley) then do a quick stop at Horseshoe Bend. A jaw dropping 1000 ft down view of the Colorado River as it goes around the bend. A 30 minute hike- no fees, no guard rails at the viewpoint. If you are fearless you can dangle your feet over the edge- requires ultra wide angle or pano mode. Quite breathtaking.
May 15, 2017 10:13:58 #
RG4073 wrote:
Sooooo many places to visit! FYI, the 4 corners mo... (show quote)
We took the Upper Antelope Photography Tour, there weren't any ladders to descend on that tour. I believe the Lower canyon is the one where you have to descend down a ladder. https://www.lakepowelllife.com/lower-antelope-canyon-tours/
May 15, 2017 10:38:11 #
acellis wrote:
Hi all, would like recommendations for a trip to t... (show quote)
Whenever someone asks about the southwest I always recommend this series of books.
They are indispensable.
Enjoy your trip!
https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Vol-1-Southern-Utah/dp/0916189236/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0916189236&pd_rd_r=1YDPDTC2BYPSDGNZ64P3&pd_rd_w=IsWZC&pd_rd_wg=kzhSx&psc=1&refRID=1YDPDTC2BYPSDGNZ64P3
https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-2-Arizona-2nd-Ed/dp/0916189139/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0916189139&pd_rd_r=FYWJH1GSJM90JKCT4R5F&pd_rd_w=M7DIe&pd_rd_wg=iZroN&psc=1&refRID=FYWJH1GSJM90JKCT4R5F
https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-3-Colorado-Mexico-Soutwest/dp/0916189147/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0916189147&pd_rd_r=XECMP9TGDATC6RNT7SVP&pd_rd_w=Iq6uT&pd_rd_wg=w72RB&psc=1&refRID=XECMP9TGDATC6RNT7SVP
May 15, 2017 11:55:04 #
Summer can be blistering hot in that area... plan for spring, late fall. From the Four Corners area, Mesa Verde is a really cool area & if you're not camping, there is lodging in Cortez. Moab is my favorite place, & Arches National Park is my favorite park, and there are so many photo-ops along the way there. Monument Valley is amazing (go for the tour... you get taken off the beaten path). Chaco Canyon is really amazing & star gazing is outstanding, but as previously stated, the road in can be pretty bad (and long), and yes, camping only. Do your research & pick two or three places to visit... 7-10 days will be eaten up very quickly! Distances between areas can be great...
May 15, 2017 12:00:32 #
brucebc
Loc: Tooele, Utah
jethro779 wrote:
There are 7 National Monuments; Canyon De Chelly, Four Corners, Bents Fort, Florissant Fossil Beds, Montezuma Castle, Gila Cliff Dwellings, & Curicanti. There are 5 National Parks; Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Mesa Verde, & Zion. You can't see it all in 10 days.
Some to add to your list, there are a bunch of scenic places on the Navajo Reservation; Canyon De Chelly, Hope Arch, White Mesa Arch.Blue Canyon, Coal Mine Canyon, Navajo National Monument, Eggshell Arch, Camron Trading Post, Grand Falls on the Little Colorado River, Wapatki National Monument, Shiprock by Farmington New Mexico and the list can go on and on.
Probably need a couple of months to see all the neat places in the Four Corners area. Not far in Colorado is Durango, Viaceto, Mesa Verde and Places like Dark Canyon. It is all good do research on the web and pick what YOU want to see, Good luck.
May 15, 2017 12:26:33 #
Upper or lower Antelope Canyon--either works well and have great photo ops. If you have problems with ladders, go to the upper; it's all on ground level.
If you stay in Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon), there are many hotels, some pretty economical. Check out prices online before you go. Don't miss Horseshoe Bend, also at Page, as is Lake Powell and the dam. It's only about an hour and a half or so to Monument Valley while you are there. One other thing: be sure to have enough SD cards (or whatever) and extra batteries for all the photos you'll take.
If you stay in Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon), there are many hotels, some pretty economical. Check out prices online before you go. Don't miss Horseshoe Bend, also at Page, as is Lake Powell and the dam. It's only about an hour and a half or so to Monument Valley while you are there. One other thing: be sure to have enough SD cards (or whatever) and extra batteries for all the photos you'll take.
May 15, 2017 12:43:05 #
DaveJ
Loc: NE Missouri
RG4073 wrote:
Want another adventure? Turn RIGHT on 261 and drive up the Moki Dugway! Turn around at the top and return or proceed over to the Natural Bridges National Monument.
I second the recommendation to see Moki Dugway. However, when you get to the top(if heading north) don't just turn around and go back down. Go just a tad bit farther (1/2 mile plus/minus) and turn left on Muley Point Road. It is a 5 mile gravel /hard dirt road I traveled on with my 2012 Camry with zero problems last November. The views from Muley Point , IMO, are Muley Dugway on steroids, and many more photo framing opportunities.I was there about 2pm, so conditions not ideal but 2 shots from Muley Point to wet your appetite.
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