Help Wanted: FIRST Trip to Arches NP, where to shoot?

Hi Folks,

In late February or early March I'll be taking a business trip to Grand Junction, CO. I'll be able to make my way over to Arches NP (weather willing) for sunrises and sunsets, so I'm hoping for suggestions on good vantage points. I'll have a standard rental car, but I won't be able to hike all that far from the roads. I'm sure hoping there are decent spots near the roads.

I've hunted around on Google Earth, but there's no replacing the experience of someone who knows the area.

This will also be my first real outing with my new 5D and 17-40mm L (and some Singh-Ray ND Grads).

Thanks in advance!
Paul

(PS: this is my first post in the RMNP forum. Howdy from Ohio!)

I think Les' report is what you might be looking for: http://www.lesbarstow.com/LocationGuides/ArchesNP/tour.php

Also check out the appropriate section in Laurent Martes' books (sorry no url handy now :)

WOW, what a wealth of knowledge. EXACTLY what I was looking for.
Thanks Paul!

Here is another link for ya that tells ya the times to shot at and where to shoot at, I am heading over there next weekend myself http://www.moab-utah.com/archesgallery/phototips.html

Thanks for the linky, Paul B.

Welcome to the forum and hope you have good trip, Paul DeC. Arches is a decent drive from Grand Junction, so be sure to check your sunrise and sunset times against your schedule and Google Maps' driving time. With that kind of schedule, I'd also have your target locations tentatively picked out; the park speed limit is generally 35mph, so add in the additional drive time to whatever landmark you choose.

I second the recommendation of Laurent's excellent book Photographing the Southwest, vol. 1: Utah in addition to the other links provided.

Paul:

Are you planning to drive to Arches each day from GJ, or will you come to town for a couple days? If you're planning to do the drive each day know that it is about 1.5 hours one way to the park entrance, plus the additional drive time to your shoot location. Take SR 191 instead of SR 128 to shave 10-15 minutes off the drive time. SR 128 is more scenic, though. If it's recently snowed DO NOT drive SR 128 as it's one of the last roads to be salted and it gets extremely icy in spots. Last time it snowed we had 3 rollovers in a matter of 1 hour on SR 128.

I live in Moab so let me know if I can be of assistance as you plan your trip.

FWIW, i think the scenery along SR 128 is nicer than anything in the park. But ive never driven it in more than light snow.

Take Bret's word on it. It's not a good road just after snow or other questionable weather. No maneuvering room and lots of twisty-turnies.

But to back you up, Fisher Towers and Castle Valley are great views; Fisher Towers at sunset is a classic shot and is a bit closer to Grand Junction - I think - than is Arches.

Thank you EVERYBODY, such great information! I'll play it safe... if weather is risky I'll stay off 128.

I'll have a couple of days where I'll leave Grand Junction in mid-afternoon to catch sunsets, and once I see the Arches area, I'll probably be crazy enough to head out at 4am on one of the mornings. I suppose I'll have to do some IT work on Gr Junc while I'm there, the main reason for going... I know, rushing to a shoot isn't a great idea, but it's WAY better than sitting in a hotel, that close, and getting nothing. If you saw the Cincinnati metro area where I live, you'd know why I'm chomping at the bit!

Les, Fisher Towers and Castle Valley sound good too. Bret, thank you for offering to help... I might send an email through NPN from the hotel once there.

This is funny, I feel like I'm trying to find the best fishing holes... in a way I am!



Thanks all.

Paul, I know Cincinnati, where do you live? I had a girlfriend who lived in Hyde Park and now in Mariemont; I traveled there a lot... and I agree that Cinci is pretty bleak.

(CAZ grew up there, too.)

Good to hear you're getting out West to do some photography!

Also, in Arches, I like Broken Arch at sunrise.

But as others have mentioned, whatever Bret says is gold

Hi Nat, I'm near the Loveland area, not far from I-71 & all the strip malls. OK, I can't be TOO hard on this area, I did manage an almost-acceptable shot this past fall. But I know that's nothing compared to what I'll see in March! Thanks for writing... and yes, I'm realizing quite quickly that Bret is THE Moab-area contact!

Recommend that you invest in a copy of:

Photographing the Southwest-Volume 1-Laurent Martre's

It has just what you need.