Posted by Bill Pelzmann on January 25, 2010 at 2:48 AM
While returning from Page last November, I was able to sneak in a quick side trip to catch a sunrise in Lower Cathedral Valley (Capitol Reef NP). This was my first trip there in the dark. It turned out to be quite easy, as long as you can distinguish the 4WD road from the stream beds. At one hairpin curve I kept going straight. Fortunately, I figured out my mistake before I got into too much trouble! I think a GPS will be my next major purchase.
This was taken 22 minutes after sunrise. Unfortunately, no drama in the sky, but at least a few clouds came to the rescue.
Canon 1Ds2, 24-105mm @ 50mm, f/16, 1/6 sec
Considering the beauty in this part of Capitol Reef, I'm rather surprised at how infrequently I see images posted from the Cathedral Valley loop. Only saw one other car all day.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on January 25, 2010 at 2:49 AM
Glass Mountain & Temple of the Sun
The first rays are just reaching the Temple of the Moon
Glass Mountain is a gypsum dome with large crystals of selenite
Originaly the minerals were evaporated from seawater and deposited in the underlying Carmel Formation - 165mya
Gypsum under pressure flows like toothpaste. This gypsum found a path along a fault zone and squirted upward.
In a short time, geologicaly, water will dissolve these minerals and form a sink hole.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on January 25, 2010 at 2:49 AM
Glass Mountain details.
Note this is not a macro shot. These selenite crystals are 6" to 9" long!
FYI: Selenite is a tabular/columnar form of Gypsum: CaSO4·2H2O
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on January 25, 2010 at 5:03 AM
Bill... excellent stuff.... the second one is a unique take from the place. Details on the side rock is awesome.. beautiful colors on the first ...looks like you have got some very beautiful light. The last image is very interesting..thank you for the description of the rocks... great job!!
Posted by Dan Walters on January 25, 2010 at 6:45 AM
Yes, very nice light! Really enjoyable to see this location. And those are some interesting minerals to look at. Nice set.
Posted by Nick Moore on January 25, 2010 at 8:30 AM
Great set of images Bill, I really like the details of the Crystals in #3, light is great on all 3!.
Posted by bill meikle on January 25, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Amazing rocks Bill.
Posted by Jeremy Week on January 25, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Nice images Bill. Thanks for the details!
Posted by Doug Andrews on January 25, 2010 at 9:58 AM
That warm light looks so nice here. Well done.
Posted by Morris McClung on January 25, 2010 at 10:03 AM
I think #2 rocks. Nice detail in #3 and good light in all of them.
Posted by Brian Jackson on January 25, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Great colors. I really like the first one.
Posted by Stan Rose on January 25, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Good stuff, Bill! I like #2 the best, but the crystals are cool, too!
Posted by Les Barstow on January 25, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Looks like you had a great day! #2 is especially nice; I've wanted to take that angle for a while, but I've not been out there in good conditions to do so.
I prefer camping out at the Cathedral Valley campground the night before heading to that location - less 4WD in the dark - but it's COLD out there in winter. At this time of the year, I'm surprised you even saw a car out there.
Posted by Jack Brauer on January 25, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Awesome!!! Great light.
Posted by Don George on January 25, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Nice set of images. Looks like a rocket getting ready to launch.
Posted by Art Escobado on January 25, 2010 at 5:58 PM
#2 is really nice!
Posted by Paul Wegemann on January 25, 2010 at 9:44 PM
I love the light here, Bill. Those crystals are fascinating. Thanks for mentioning the scale. Cathedral Valley is high on my list of places to visit. I tried crossing the ford last Spring, but the water was a bit too deep for my Subaru.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on January 25, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I'm surprised at the favorable response to #2. I thought Glass Mountain would be considered too obtrusive.
Hey, Paul, the most direct way to Lower Cathedral Valley is on the Caineville Wash road. No river crossing required. Only about 20 miles.
Posted by Don Grall on January 26, 2010 at 10:15 AM
#2 is my favorite as well, combining two great elements in one shot, way to go!
Posted by Jeff Hackett on January 26, 2010 at 2:23 PM
All are killer and man is it cold camping in the winter... I remember it like it was yesterday, brrrrrrr.
Discussion
21 repliesThis was taken 22 minutes after sunrise. Unfortunately, no drama in the sky, but at least a few clouds came to the rescue.
Canon 1Ds2, 24-105mm @ 50mm, f/16, 1/6 sec
Considering the beauty in this part of Capitol Reef, I'm rather surprised at how infrequently I see images posted from the Cathedral Valley loop. Only saw one other car all day.
The first rays are just reaching the Temple of the Moon
Glass Mountain is a gypsum dome with large crystals of selenite
Originaly the minerals were evaporated from seawater and deposited in the underlying Carmel Formation - 165mya
Gypsum under pressure flows like toothpaste. This gypsum found a path along a fault zone and squirted upward.
In a short time, geologicaly, water will dissolve these minerals and form a sink hole.
Note this is not a macro shot. These selenite crystals are 6" to 9" long!
FYI: Selenite is a tabular/columnar form of Gypsum: CaSO4·2H2O
Yes, very nice light! Really enjoyable to see this location. And those are some interesting minerals to look at. Nice set.
I prefer camping out at the Cathedral Valley campground the night before heading to that location - less 4WD in the dark - but it's COLD out there in winter. At this time of the year, I'm surprised you even saw a car out there.
Hey, Paul, the most direct way to Lower Cathedral Valley is on the Caineville Wash road. No river crossing required. Only about 20 miles.