Posted by Darren Huski on March 14, 2010 at 8:11 AM
Went to Monument Valley last month as part of a winter trip that also included Antelope Canyon and a few days at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Got snowed on two nights at Monument Valley and two at the Grand Canyon. Had clear sky in Page for the slots. It appears I had some favor with the weather gods that week!
Here are a few from Monument Valley. My first trip there and I think I really got lucky with conditions.
Posted by Darren Huski on March 14, 2010 at 8:12 AM
Before the snow
Posted by Darren Huski on March 14, 2010 at 8:12 AM
The next morning
Posted by Darren Huski on March 14, 2010 at 8:13 AM
Camp at night before the snow fell
Posted by Darren Huski on March 14, 2010 at 8:14 AM
And the next morning after we had 40mph winds, sleet and snow. Note, I have alreay cleaned off the tent.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 14, 2010 at 11:04 AM
I love your camping shots. Very cool! My question is, since you're driving a Honda Element, with its flat floor feature, why even bother with the tent?
Posted by Adam Schallau on March 14, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Nice work...I love the mood of the first shot. What dates were you at the Grand Canyon? We may have run into each other.
Posted by John Mumaw on March 14, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Glad you were able to get a sunny day when you needed it.
It's currently snowing down here again (Colorado Plateau) as I type this note.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 14, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Great shot of the Mittens and your tent under the stars.
I really like the shot with your tent and the stars!. The one time I camped at the same spot, I think every single tent peg was bent due to the hard rocks!. Great location to camp though, and you got some great conditions.
Be there between 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM for the best light. A tripod is a must.
If going into the Upper Canyon, get a good photography tour guide to help you find the best photo ops. This is the most crowded section of the canyon with the least user control on how long you stay.
If you must choose one segment of the canyon, then choose the Lower Canyon. When you get to the end of the Lower Canyon, don't climb out. Instead, return the way you came and you'll have entirely new light angles to shoot.
Thank you for the tip. I am looking forward to it..
Posted by Darren Huski on March 14, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Thanks all.
Todd, The Element has a flat floor but I am too tall for it. It also has a built in bed by folding the seats together. I have used that and find in a comfortable way to "camp". If I am staying only one night at a place, I often go that route. But with 2+ nights in a location a tent is still my preferred option. Also, with temps in the teens and lower I expected that I'd frost up the inside of the windows and I was hoping to just scrape the outside.
Adam- I was at south rim Feb 23-26. Wish I could have stayed longer but work keeps getting in the way of photography. Had great weather and photographed from Hopi, Yavapai, Shoshone, Lipan, an Desert View for the good light. Best was Thursday the 25th from Hopi with snow falling on north rim. Stayed at Hopi until 930pm doing moonlit canyon scenes.
Nick- I lost 4 tent pegs to the bends at MV.
The campground at MV is really just a dirt area, no designated sites, no picnic tables, no shade....but what a view!
Terry-What John said. I prefer Lower by far since it's cheaper, and you can have 4 hours unguided. However, if you do upper ask your driver if they will stop and let you have 20 minutes at Rattlesnake Canyon which you pass on the way to Upper Antelope. Short but neat.
One more question, how did you get 4 hours of unguided in the lower canyon?
Posted by Darren Huski on March 14, 2010 at 3:54 PM
Terry-
That is the tour in Lower. At upper you have to be driven to it. At Lower, you drive to the entrance. Tell the lady at the booth that you want a photographers pass. They will lead groups in every half hour. Once in the canyon the guide gives a short talk and then photographers are free to wander for 4 hours. The guide leads any tourists through and leaves you to your camera and tripod. Once they go on it it pretty much yours alone!
And the prices last summer were $26 for Lower and $52 for the 2 hour tour at Upper.
Actually, you don't need a guide at all in the Lower Canyon.
Every time I go there, I just walk in by myself with no problems.
Then you're totally free to move about at your own pace.
By the way, I edited my first post to your query, adding more info.
Posted by Dan Walters on March 14, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Really like the wide angle view in the tent image. Also like the color of the sky in the first image.
Posted by Jack Brauer on March 15, 2010 at 4:32 PM
Darin thank you for the advice on Antelope Canyon. I had a great time, the lower canyon was a blast. I did find some really cool painted hills on the dirt road that goes back to the Paria town site. If you go north out of Page it is just after the toad stool trail.
Again thank you!
Discussion
26 repliesGot snowed on two nights at Monument Valley and two at the Grand Canyon. Had clear sky in Page for the slots. It appears I had some favor with the weather gods that week!
Here are a few from Monument Valley. My first trip there and I think I really got lucky with conditions.
It's currently snowing down here again (Colorado Plateau) as I type this note.
If going into the Upper Canyon, get a good photography tour guide to help you find the best photo ops. This is the most crowded section of the canyon with the least user control on how long you stay.
If you must choose one segment of the canyon, then choose the Lower Canyon. When you get to the end of the Lower Canyon, don't climb out. Instead, return the way you came and you'll have entirely new light angles to shoot.
Todd, The Element has a flat floor but I am too tall for it. It also has a built in bed by folding the seats together. I have used that and find in a comfortable way to "camp". If I am staying only one night at a place, I often go that route. But with 2+ nights in a location a tent is still my preferred option. Also, with temps in the teens and lower I expected that I'd frost up the inside of the windows and I was hoping to just scrape the outside.
Adam- I was at south rim Feb 23-26. Wish I could have stayed longer but work keeps getting in the way of photography. Had great weather and photographed from Hopi, Yavapai, Shoshone, Lipan, an Desert View for the good light. Best was Thursday the 25th from Hopi with snow falling on north rim. Stayed at Hopi until 930pm doing moonlit canyon scenes.
Nick- I lost 4 tent pegs to the bends at MV.
The campground at MV is really just a dirt area, no designated sites, no picnic tables, no shade....but what a view!
Terry-What John said. I prefer Lower by far since it's cheaper, and you can have 4 hours unguided. However, if you do upper ask your driver if they will stop and let you have 20 minutes at Rattlesnake Canyon which you pass on the way to Upper Antelope. Short but neat.
That is the tour in Lower. At upper you have to be driven to it. At Lower, you drive to the entrance. Tell the lady at the booth that you want a photographers pass. They will lead groups in every half hour. Once in the canyon the guide gives a short talk and then photographers are free to wander for 4 hours. The guide leads any tourists through and leaves you to your camera and tripod. Once they go on it it pretty much yours alone!
And the prices last summer were $26 for Lower and $52 for the 2 hour tour at Upper.
I would go for lower.
Every time I go there, I just walk in by myself with no problems.
Then you're totally free to move about at your own pace.
By the way, I edited my first post to your query, adding more info.
Again thank you!