? for Bret Edge (or anyone)

RichieV and I are heading down to Page President's day weekend. We'll probably head out Thursday evening and drive through the night to get to the Moab area for sunrise. We'll be in Monument Valley for sunset Friday.

Where are some good (the best) sunrise locations. We're both familiar with Mesa Arch (although I don't have a shot there) and the North Window/Turret Arch area. Where else?

Also, if anyone has sunrise/sunset suggestions for the Page area post away. We'll probably hit Horseshoe Bend and Wahweap Hoodoos as well as spots along Lake Powell.

I know there is a wealth of experience out there, thanks for sharing. I'll review our earlier thread about this trip too.

Kalin

Pre-sunrise is good at horseshoe bend. Alstrom point is good for sunset, if water levels are not too low. Wahweap hoodoos are best right at sunrise, after about 2 or 3 minutes, they turn very white, but this early in the year, I dont think they will even recieve any morning light. Toadstool hoodoo is nice at sunset, but once again, this early in the year may be complicating. Coyote buttes can be great all day obviously, and you should be able to get permits this time of year.

Sunrise around Moab:

Canyonlands: Green River Overlook, Mesa Arch, Aztec Butte

Arches: Balanced Rock, N. Window/Turret Arch, The Organ, Landscape Arch, Three Gossips, Delicate Arch Viewpoint (hike all the way up the trail to cliffs edge), Broken Arch (go through the arch)

That should give you a decent mix from which to choose. Hope you have a great trip!

Dead Horse Point State Park overlook is good at sunrise and sunset.

I think if you went over Hurrah pass towards Chicken Corners you'd get some really nice and unique stuff. Especially at this time of year. This is kinda the other side of what you see from deadhorse point. Be aware that there is a gypsum processing facility or something along those lines on the opposite shore, straight accross from the summit of Hurrah Pass. Hurrah pass is a mild 4wd road, but it is on a ledge with big drops in places. Just be careful driving it. There were no difficult obstacles when I last drove it in 2004. Another idea is long canyon, which comes back down to the river from just before the entrance to dead horse point. It faces towards the petrified dunes of sandflats rec area and the mountains beyond.

Also, I'm a big fan of needles district. I personally like it much better than Island in the Sky, but be aware it is another hour drive from Moab and some of the areas require long hikes and or 4WD to access. A classic in Needles is Wooden Shoe arch as portayed in Rene's beautiful RMNP cover shot for this month. It faces north as I remember so it should get nice light in both morning and evening.

If you'd like to see some elephant hill pics, these are from a trail run I led there in 2004. Most of the jeeps are on 33 - 35 inch tires. I'm running 33s myself.
Elephant Hill

I can't speak to the condition of Hurrah Pass but I absolutely would not drive up Long Canyon right now. There are long stretches of solid ice with big dropoffs and it simply isn't safe. I tried it about a month ago and turned around about half way up due to the icy conditions. The same can be said about Shafer Trail.

Thanks so far! Good info. We'll have to see what we can do with the low sun this time of year.

Mel, I'd love to have a week to get back into the maze and explore. I've been around Needles a little and like it down there too.

Have you tried shooting in Lower Antelope Canyon? The entrance station is immdiately west of the power plant outside Page.

Ken

Ken, we're hoping to. I called last month and lower is closed. They are performing maintenance on the ladders/stairs at the entrance. I hope it's open when we get down there. I think it's still the case that they limit your time to two hours in upper and don't limit time in lower. I'm hoping the crowds are such that we can get more time in upper.

Thanks for the tip.

Kalin, good info so far!! As if I didn't want to go to Utah bad enough already, then you have to go and start this thread!!!

Sure hope Lower Antelope is open by the time you get there. We were there last May, and it was of course spectacular! From what the owners told us, they "limit" you to four hours in the canyon. However, I was in there for six hours myself, and no one ever made an effort to kick me out. They could have too, since I passed several of the guides many times as they took other customers through. They were great, pointing out cool spots to shoot, telling me timing of light beams, etc. Also, when they saw my large format gear, they suggested that I head down to the lower entrance first, since it would have better light at that time of day. Worked out great! Good bunch of folks! I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say about their experiences in there as far as time limit.

Have a blast guys, and we will want a full report!!!

I"ve been in Lower Antelope numerous times and have never had anyone tell me its time to go. When i first went, they said i got about 4 hours to shoot, so thats what i took, 4 hours and left, but no one ever came to get me. The last couple times i've went they usually ask, "have you been here before?", i just say yep, and they say have fun! They really are a good bunch of people there, Young's i think. They are always very helpful with time of day, light beams, where to shoot etc. They've even thrown sand for me before!'

Adam

Brent, it's been 3 years since I've visited Lower Antelope. Back then no one even mentioned a "time limit". In mid-March the place was empty. Quite a contrast from the crowds and hectic atmosphere of Upper Antelope.