It's that time of year again. March 30 is the day when the shadow of the West Mitten Butte in Monument Valley falls directly upon the East Mitten Butte. On Sunday March 28, the (nearly) full moonrise will occur at 5:30 PM and sunset at 6:39 PM (Arizona Time).
Finally, you won't be too far away from the Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River. Looks like an Arizona triple play to me!
Posted by Adam Schallau on March 17, 2010 at 9:54 PM
Ron,
Mother Nature will provide another opportunity in September.
Posted by Adam Schallau on March 17, 2010 at 9:54 PM
Ooooh, I might just have to head down there for this one. How far would the Grand Falls be from here?
Posted by John Mumaw on March 17, 2010 at 10:22 PM
About 180 miles, Bret.
Posted by Dan Walters on March 17, 2010 at 10:28 PM
Stunning image! Love the shadow.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 17, 2010 at 10:42 PM
I was thinking about this last night, wondering if both events occur relatively close together, time-wise. Cool shot, John. Looks like opportunity abounds in the Four Corners region in late-March.
Posted by John Mumaw on March 17, 2010 at 11:04 PM
The Mitten Shadow occurs like clockwork twice a year. Last year was when the full moon rising fell exactly on March 30. And of course, the Grand Falls is a crap shoot.
Posted by Bob Falcone on March 17, 2010 at 11:10 PM
Damn, I'll be at the other end of Arizona on the 30th. Maybe I can make it in September...
I just looked into reserving a room at The View lodge in Monument Valley during this event. All booked. Regardless, I'm going to try really hard to get down there for this. Thanks for letting us all know about it, John!
You're welcome, Bret.
The View Lodge is booked solid for months in advance all year long.
Seems like the cheapest room rate is $95 or so.
Still, probably one of the best views in America!
Killer shot, but make that a double play ~ Isn't Monument Valley Tribal Park in Utah?
Posted by Rick Schafer on March 18, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Great timing here, John. And a great shot! Thanks for turning me on to this forum. I had not come across it before. Looks like a lot of great photographers hang out here. I look forward to enjoying their shots.
Hopefully I will be getting down to the "Eagles Nest" ruin next week. I will let you know how it is.
Posted by Adam Schallau on March 18, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Hi Rick,
Welcome to RMNP. I've visited your blogs several times, you've got some great photos.
Posted by Laurent Baig on March 18, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Cool, thanks for reminding me John! I might try to make it this time
Posted by Joel Hazelton on March 18, 2010 at 9:32 PM
If only the 30th fell on a weekend... I've already taken too much time off work this year for photography/outdoors adventures.
Hey John, I just sent you an email with my plans for that time period and it looks like we'll be there on the 30th but won't be able to make it to the falls this year.
As far as the AZ/UT question, the majority of the Tribal Park is in Utah but the Mittens are in just inside the Arizona border. In fact, if you look closely at John's shot, you can see the "Welcome to Utah" sign behind the Right Mitten.
Discussion
21 repliesFinally, you won't be too far away from the Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River. Looks like an Arizona triple play to me!
Mother Nature will provide another opportunity in September.
Thanks for the reminder.
The View Lodge is booked solid for months in advance all year long.
Seems like the cheapest room rate is $95 or so.
Still, probably one of the best views in America!
Hopefully I will be getting down to the "Eagles Nest" ruin next week. I will let you know how it is.
Welcome to RMNP. I've visited your blogs several times, you've got some great photos.
Dave, I believe that MV straddles the state line so some of its locations are in AZ and some in UT.
Looking forward to the first SW trip of the year,