Posted by Jeff Wittler on October 21, 2008 at 2:11 AM
My first post so be gentle. My wife and I are looking to visit Toroweep and The Wave and Second Wave(we'll try to get a walk in permit)in November. Is the light still good for these locations with the sun lower in the horizon? Are there shadows present this time of year that will spoil the photos?
What is the optimum time in the year to visit these locations?
Are there other locations in this region this time of year? We'll probaby visit Bryce as well. Figure that the light for Antelope Canyon would probably not produce beams.
Posted by Paul Beiser on October 21, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Hi Jeff,
Welcome! This is a great time of year for the Wave, the light is low and spectacular on the formations (me and a few others will be there on the 4th), and with the sun lower in the sky the light can be much nicer. Pick up a copy of Laurent Martres's books for other ideas, but I'd recommend Escalante and Zion.
Good luck!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 21, 2008 at 12:30 PM
While you're in the Wave, you'll also be at the trailhead for wire pass slot canyon and buckskin gulch at a time of year that is normally dry. They are worth the time to visit. Be absolutely certain that there is no risk of rain.
Fall and winter are perfect for shooting the second wave in the evening. Shooting the main wave will be trickier since the sun won't be up as high. You'll have a small window around mid day with no shadows, but I dont think it will last too long. Don't be afraid to explore all around the wave, up to a half mile in all directions, lots to see! Toroweap is always good. You'll have good light on the west wall, but less light filtering down into the canyon. Don't forget to try sunset looking southward!
Posted by Kurt Rinne on October 21, 2008 at 1:47 PM
I'm heading out that way myself,
I will be leaving afternoon of Oct 30th and need to be back sometime on Tue the 4th.
This will be my first trip that far south. Normally I've only done Moab and Canyonlands. I've done a fair amount of research and have Laurent Martres book on the southwest but I'm still at a loss of words on where to start and finish with so many choices. Unfortunately I only have 4 full days for this trip. I was thinking about arriving in Capitol Reef area and then slowly making my way down to Zion for atleast 2 full days. I also was wondering about the light for Antelope Canyon if it will produce beams this time of the year? I would love to do sunrise at horseshoe bend then head up to Antelope canyon but I'm not sure I'll have enough time.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 21, 2008 at 7:10 PM
There are no light beams this time of year in Antelope Canyon, but don't let that stop you from visiting.
I prefer the Lower Canyon because of the greater amount of photo ops, there are fewer people and you don't need a guide.
Capitol Reef to Bryce to Zion sounds like a fine way to spend four days. I wouldn't try to add any more attractions myself unless you happen to be going toward Page, AZ on the way home.
I think that the optimum time (photographically speaking) to visit Toroweap has passed as Adam alluded to earlier, but don't let that stop you from visiting.
The BLM website is down, but I think that you'll need to go to Kanab to get a walk-in permit for the Wave, rather than the ranger station at Paria in November and after. You won't really have time to visit Wire Pass/Buckskin Gulch, as your entire day will be spent hiking to, enjoying and then hiking back from the Wave.
Posted by Kurt Rinne on October 21, 2008 at 7:43 PM
That is part of my dilemma because I'll be heading out from Denver, I suppose at the end of the trip I could cut over to I 15 and head up to I 70 and then home. My original way was going to be head down to Monument Valley first then cutting over to Page and up to Zion Bryce,Escalante and Capitol Reef then home but there is not near enough time unless I want to be driving the entire time.
Kurt
p.s I thought that if I did decide to do Antelope that a guide/tour was required for both upper and lower?
Posted by John Mumaw on October 21, 2008 at 8:33 PM
..there is not near enough time unless I want to be driving the entire time.
Exactly.
Too many folks try to see too much during a limited amount of time down here, and end up not seeing much at all.
I thought that if I did decide to do Antelope that a guide/tour was required for both upper and lower?
No sir.
I visit the lower canyon almost every time I pass through Page, and you're on your own. In fact, if the family running the show sees you with a tripod, they'll issue you a laminated "pass" which allows you free reign for three hours or more! Start your visit at around 10:30 AM or so. Best light is from 11:00 AM 'til about 1:30 PM.
I haven't visited the upper canyon in 15 years...back when anyone with a 4 wheel drive could visit. They herd 'em in and out of their like cows now almost the entire year long, and I'll have no part of it.
Posted by Kurt Rinne on October 22, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Thanks to everyone for there input,
What time do you think Horseshoe bend is good to photograph? I've seen mostly day shots that are dull and boring. I've only seen one or 2 sunrise/sunset shots from there that we're a lot nicer. I was thinking about doing the subway since I hear colors are preety nice this time of the year but I'm hesitant about difficulty. Most people say it's fairly difficult? How difficult is the Wave? you say that best times for photos are 830am-10am which tells me i'd probably have to start hiking at dawn. I am leaning more and more towards staying most of my trip down in Zion area. I'm not sure I can make it all the way down there the first nite, I'm thinking the furthest I can make it that first night after I leave work is Capitol Reef. So if anyone has any sunrise ideas in Capitol Reef I'd love to hear them. Do you think it's realistic if I take off after sunset from Zion area and head down to Horseshoe bend for sunrise then head over to Lower Antelope for early morning photos then back to the Zion area? I have a shell on the back of my truck with a futon in it so I could just sleep in the parking lot of Horseshoe Bend?
Posted by Jeff Wittler on October 22, 2008 at 1:08 AM
Thanks so much to all of you, all great recommendations. We'll be there Nov 13 to Nov 23, so lots of time. The Second Wave is what I really wanted (looks far more interesting the Wave) to photograph so the shadows at the Wave not a deal breaker. Forgot about Wire Pass, definitely something we'll fit in. I would assume the light at this time of year at Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch probably won't light the canyon real well. I've been to Upper Antelope and hated experience. I wonder if they tripled their rate they could cut down their numbers significantly and have more manageable experience. Lower Antelope looks like a more pleasant excursion. Kurt mentiond Monument Valley. MV might benefit with lower angled sun. If we get ambitious we might trek over there.
Thanks again!
Posted by John Mumaw on October 22, 2008 at 7:47 AM
What time do you think Horseshoe bend is good to photograph?
Shortly before, during and after sunrise or sunset are optimum, with sunset being preferable, especially if you have clouds that will go colorful on you.
Here's a link to one fellow's gallery with images taken there during the entire course of one day.
You'll need to bracket exposures and combine them with your image editor or use a graduated neutral density filter in order to tame the vastly different exposures needed for the sky and the canyon.
Do you think it's realistic if I take off after sunset from Zion area and head down to Horseshoe bend for sunrise then head over to Lower Antelope for early morning photos then back to the Zion area?
It's possible, but why?
Why not savor your time at Zion/Bryce and save the Page area for another trip? There's enough photo ops in the Page area alone (aside from these two iconic places) to spend an entire week there.
Posted by Kurt Rinne on October 22, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Thanks for the great link John,
As usual I get a little overzealous, especially this close to the trip and I've not 100% pinpointed where I will be going.
Discussion
11 repliesWhat is the optimum time in the year to visit these locations?
Are there other locations in this region this time of year? We'll probaby visit Bryce as well. Figure that the light for Antelope Canyon would probably not produce beams.
Welcome! This is a great time of year for the Wave, the light is low and spectacular on the formations (me and a few others will be there on the 4th), and with the sun lower in the sky the light can be much nicer. Pick up a copy of Laurent Martres's books for other ideas, but I'd recommend Escalante and Zion.
Good luck!
I will be leaving afternoon of Oct 30th and need to be back sometime on Tue the 4th.
This will be my first trip that far south. Normally I've only done Moab and Canyonlands. I've done a fair amount of research and have Laurent Martres book on the southwest but I'm still at a loss of words on where to start and finish with so many choices. Unfortunately I only have 4 full days for this trip. I was thinking about arriving in Capitol Reef area and then slowly making my way down to Zion for atleast 2 full days. I also was wondering about the light for Antelope Canyon if it will produce beams this time of the year? I would love to do sunrise at horseshoe bend then head up to Antelope canyon but I'm not sure I'll have enough time.
I prefer the Lower Canyon because of the greater amount of photo ops, there are fewer people and you don't need a guide.
Capitol Reef to Bryce to Zion sounds like a fine way to spend four days. I wouldn't try to add any more attractions myself unless you happen to be going toward Page, AZ on the way home.
I think that the optimum time (photographically speaking) to visit Toroweap has passed as Adam alluded to earlier, but don't let that stop you from visiting.
The BLM website is down, but I think that you'll need to go to Kanab to get a walk-in permit for the Wave, rather than the ranger station at Paria in November and after. You won't really have time to visit Wire Pass/Buckskin Gulch, as your entire day will be spent hiking to, enjoying and then hiking back from the Wave.
Kurt
p.s I thought that if I did decide to do Antelope that a guide/tour was required for both upper and lower?
Exactly.
Too many folks try to see too much during a limited amount of time down here, and end up not seeing much at all.
No sir.
I visit the lower canyon almost every time I pass through Page, and you're on your own. In fact, if the family running the show sees you with a tripod, they'll issue you a laminated "pass" which allows you free reign for three hours or more! Start your visit at around 10:30 AM or so. Best light is from 11:00 AM 'til about 1:30 PM.
I haven't visited the upper canyon in 15 years...back when anyone with a 4 wheel drive could visit. They herd 'em in and out of their like cows now almost the entire year long, and I'll have no part of it.
What time do you think Horseshoe bend is good to photograph? I've seen mostly day shots that are dull and boring. I've only seen one or 2 sunrise/sunset shots from there that we're a lot nicer. I was thinking about doing the subway since I hear colors are preety nice this time of the year but I'm hesitant about difficulty. Most people say it's fairly difficult? How difficult is the Wave? you say that best times for photos are 830am-10am which tells me i'd probably have to start hiking at dawn. I am leaning more and more towards staying most of my trip down in Zion area. I'm not sure I can make it all the way down there the first nite, I'm thinking the furthest I can make it that first night after I leave work is Capitol Reef. So if anyone has any sunrise ideas in Capitol Reef I'd love to hear them. Do you think it's realistic if I take off after sunset from Zion area and head down to Horseshoe bend for sunrise then head over to Lower Antelope for early morning photos then back to the Zion area? I have a shell on the back of my truck with a futon in it so I could just sleep in the parking lot of Horseshoe Bend?
Thanks again!
Shortly before, during and after sunrise or sunset are optimum, with sunset being preferable, especially if you have clouds that will go colorful on you.
Here's a link to one fellow's gallery with images taken there during the entire course of one day.
You'll need to bracket exposures and combine them with your image editor or use a graduated neutral density filter in order to tame the vastly different exposures needed for the sky and the canyon.
It's possible, but why?
Why not savor your time at Zion/Bryce and save the Page area for another trip? There's enough photo ops in the Page area alone (aside from these two iconic places) to spend an entire week there.
As usual I get a little overzealous, especially this close to the trip and I've not 100% pinpointed where I will be going.