I was going to go to the Tetons this week, but the weather forecasts look really unfavorable, so I think I'm going to go to Moab instead. Anyone have advice on their favorite sunrise/sunset spots in Arches and Canyonlands? Thanks!
I have been to Moab once during Memorial day weekend and it is truly a nightmare IMHO. Since you have time have you considered alternatives like Bisti/Hovenweep/Cedar Mesa etc.
Sunrise in Arches, the window/turret, three graces, courthouse wash etc are good options. Sunset, delicate arch, fiery furnace.
Canyonlands, oh man. Needles is really cool. Salt creek is really cool for 4wd, but you need to get a permit from the rangers office to get in there, so don't plan on sunrise unless you make arrangements the day before. Island in the Sky has lots of classics including the mesa arch for sunrise and green river overlook for sunset. Deadhorse point is also popular for sunrise. Sounds like you should expect crowds at any of these spots.
Also, the sand flats rec area has some really interesting areas for sunset among the petrified dunes with the La Sals in the background. Try walking up by campground group E I think. Follow the signs for fins and things trail (a somewhat difficult 4wd trail).
Another area to look at is onion creek, fisher towers etc.
First order of business: can you either (a) get a hotel room or reserveable campsite, or (b) will you have equipment, including travel toilet, to camp at BLM camping spots that might not be full? As many people have said, Moab on Memorial Day is going to be a nightmare - be sure you can find somewhere to stay.
If you're willing to hike a lot, I'd suggest the Needles District of Canyonlands at least over the weekend and holiday - again, confirm lodging/camping arrangements before committing. Chessler Park is a great subject if you can do the hike, and you'll be sure to get away from most of the crowd by committing to a destination that requires hiking to really appreciate.
All of Arches, and all of the popular spots in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands (along with Dead Horse Point State Park) will be very, very full this weekend. Take your weekday days to visit these places. You can head on over to my Arches Location Guide for my suggestions, or look at the Hot Spot article here on RMNP.Net for some (but certainly not all) Arches suggestions. The obvious spots in Island in the Sky District are Mesa Arch (sunrise) and the Green River and Grand View Point overlooks (either).
I'd second Rich's post - consider some of the more remote / less well-known spots in the area - really.
PS - the Jackson weather forecast is about par for the course; it'll be good enough and possibly excellent for picture taking, IMHO. Mountain weather forecasts look like that every day of the week throughout the Summer - partly cloudy, 20-40% chance of rain, isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon...
Partly cloudy, 20-40% chance of rain may be great for photos.... but I spent 3 days in the Tetons last May and didn't see the mountains (or sun) once In the first year of my RMNP photo project I went for the days with clear skies in the forecast, and got photos less interesting than what I've gotten since then, when I'll go up in all weather.
Favorite sunrise spot in Arches is the windows area.
Weather is good. Last May in Yellowstone...I stood in the fog for three hours at sunrise at Yellowstone Falls...it made for great mood in the photos. I would go to the Tetons and Yellowstone over Moab on Memorial Day. Being there before or after storms can make for great photos...in fact I met a photographer who has a gallery up there and he had specifically driven out in the afternoon to catch the end of a storm to take photos. Of course, I haven't looked at the forcast...if it was gray all the time that wouldn't be fun.
Jackson forecast (from Wunderground, who gets their info from NOAA):
Wed partly cloudy rain/snow showers 20%; Wed night same (snow, not rain)
Thu: partly cloudy, rain 20% to Thu night mostly cloudy isolated thunderstorms
Fri: reverse of Thursday - start mostly cloudy, going to partly cloudy, 20% chance isolated storms
Sat: partly cloudy, isolated storms...
Sunday same...
I'd take it. The Tetons in the morning after a storm (rain or snow) are magical; lifting fog often provides dramatic effects and mystical "peek-a-boo" views of the peaks. And sunsets without clouds are BORING there.
Reading the forcast above...I'd take it too...if 20% means the same there as it does here...it means no one really knows if it's going to rain or not. Partly cloudy...I think also implies partly sunny...
Thanks for all of your replies! While I agree that the forecast for Jackson might lead to some interesting photos, I'm going up there with my wife (a non-photographer) to do some camping and hiking, and her patience for wet weather is not quite offset by her appreciation for a great shot of stormy moody weather over the Tetons. Oh well...So I'm off to fight the crowds in Moab, armed with all of your suggestions. Thanks so much!
Discussion
9 repliesI have been to Moab once during Memorial day weekend and it is truly a nightmare IMHO. Since you have time have you considered alternatives like Bisti/Hovenweep/Cedar Mesa etc.
Rich
Sunrise in Arches, the window/turret, three graces, courthouse wash etc are good options. Sunset, delicate arch, fiery furnace.
Canyonlands, oh man. Needles is really cool. Salt creek is really cool for 4wd, but you need to get a permit from the rangers office to get in there, so don't plan on sunrise unless you make arrangements the day before. Island in the Sky has lots of classics including the mesa arch for sunrise and green river overlook for sunset. Deadhorse point is also popular for sunrise. Sounds like you should expect crowds at any of these spots.
Also, the sand flats rec area has some really interesting areas for sunset among the petrified dunes with the La Sals in the background. Try walking up by campground group E I think. Follow the signs for fins and things trail (a somewhat difficult 4wd trail).
Another area to look at is onion creek, fisher towers etc.
If you're willing to hike a lot, I'd suggest the Needles District of Canyonlands at least over the weekend and holiday - again, confirm lodging/camping arrangements before committing. Chessler Park is a great subject if you can do the hike, and you'll be sure to get away from most of the crowd by committing to a destination that requires hiking to really appreciate.
All of Arches, and all of the popular spots in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands (along with Dead Horse Point State Park) will be very, very full this weekend. Take your weekday days to visit these places. You can head on over to my Arches Location Guide for my suggestions, or look at the Hot Spot article here on RMNP.Net for some (but certainly not all) Arches suggestions. The obvious spots in Island in the Sky District are Mesa Arch (sunrise) and the Green River and Grand View Point overlooks (either).
I'd second Rich's post - consider some of the more remote / less well-known spots in the area - really.
PS - the Jackson weather forecast is about par for the course; it'll be good enough and possibly excellent for picture taking, IMHO. Mountain weather forecasts look like that every day of the week throughout the Summer - partly cloudy, 20-40% chance of rain, isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon...
Favorite sunrise spot in Arches is the windows area.
Cynthia Spence
www.geolightphoto.com
Wed partly cloudy rain/snow showers 20%; Wed night same (snow, not rain)
Thu: partly cloudy, rain 20% to Thu night mostly cloudy isolated thunderstorms
Fri: reverse of Thursday - start mostly cloudy, going to partly cloudy, 20% chance isolated storms
Sat: partly cloudy, isolated storms...
Sunday same...
I'd take it. The Tetons in the morning after a storm (rain or snow) are magical; lifting fog often provides dramatic effects and mystical "peek-a-boo" views of the peaks. And sunsets without clouds are BORING there.