I'm heading out to Arches NP for the first time. While I've looked up places to shoot, I would like to know potential dangers in the Park. I heard that mountain lions and other large mammals inhabit the park.
I plan to shoot into the night with the hopes of catching the Milky way and stars.
Sairam,
While I don't have personal knowledge of the park, a good place to start is with their website. All parks have a website. That can give you the general picture there. When you arrive there, go to the visitor center closest to where you intend to go and ask a Ranger on duty about specific issues to where you plan to go. They will have up to date info about sightings of most animals of concern. And if they don't know, I'm sure they would be glad to find out for you. That's just part of their job. By and large, you won't have any issues with any of the larger mammals as they try to stay clear of people. But once in a while some do strange things, so that's why up to date info is important. Good luck.
Sairam,
There is a pretty good synopsis of photo opportunities there from this newsletter series: http://www.photographamerica.com/ - you can buy just that one area's newsletter. I'd say the best shots for nighttime are:
Delicate Arch - there will be a very big crowd for sunset & some will stay well after dark, but the scenery is stunning. Pick out your spot well before it gets dark. You may have some light pollution from headlamps of folks around the arch, so pick your times. The path back down to the parking lot is not well marked & there's a couple of tricky spots in the dark. Have a good headlamp!
Double Arch - this is stunning at night & not nearly as popular after dark. I had the place to myself from 11:30 pm to 2 am one night. The entire sky was breathtaking.
Landscape Arch - a must do at sunrise as the warm light really makes the scene. You could do some neat night shots from there as well.
There's a balanced rock (I don't remember the exact name) that is just by the roadside about 1/2 way into the park on the right. You can't miss it - it's a big round rock balanced on a small spire. That could be cool for some night shots, including star trails if you put the North Star just behind it & let the stars rotate around it. Again, it's near the road & light pollution from passing cars may interfere with that plan.
I'm sure there are a ton of other compositions with all of the features there.
The biggest danger is the heat in the summer. Take plenty of water on the hikes as it gets up over 100 during the day - it is a desert.
I was there this winter. What a wonderful place to shoot!. We did not see a wild animal the whole time we were there so I don't think that should be too big a worry other than your normal precautions. There are many great hikes out to the various arches some of which can be pretty daunting.but there are also many that are quite accessible. That was my first time out there but I will go back.
Discussion
4 repliesI'm heading out to Arches NP for the first time. While I've looked up places to shoot, I would like to know potential dangers in the Park. I heard that mountain lions and other large mammals inhabit the park.
I plan to shoot into the night with the hopes of catching the Milky way and stars.
Appreciate your input and suggestions!
Thanks
Sairam
While I don't have personal knowledge of the park, a good place to start is with their website. All parks have a website. That can give you the general picture there. When you arrive there, go to the visitor center closest to where you intend to go and ask a Ranger on duty about specific issues to where you plan to go. They will have up to date info about sightings of most animals of concern. And if they don't know, I'm sure they would be glad to find out for you. That's just part of their job. By and large, you won't have any issues with any of the larger mammals as they try to stay clear of people. But once in a while some do strange things, so that's why up to date info is important. Good luck.
There is a pretty good synopsis of photo opportunities there from this newsletter series: http://www.photographamerica.com/ - you can buy just that one area's newsletter. I'd say the best shots for nighttime are:
Delicate Arch - there will be a very big crowd for sunset & some will stay well after dark, but the scenery is stunning. Pick out your spot well before it gets dark. You may have some light pollution from headlamps of folks around the arch, so pick your times. The path back down to the parking lot is not well marked & there's a couple of tricky spots in the dark. Have a good headlamp!
Double Arch - this is stunning at night & not nearly as popular after dark. I had the place to myself from 11:30 pm to 2 am one night. The entire sky was breathtaking.
Landscape Arch - a must do at sunrise as the warm light really makes the scene. You could do some neat night shots from there as well.
There's a balanced rock (I don't remember the exact name) that is just by the roadside about 1/2 way into the park on the right. You can't miss it - it's a big round rock balanced on a small spire. That could be cool for some night shots, including star trails if you put the North Star just behind it & let the stars rotate around it. Again, it's near the road & light pollution from passing cars may interfere with that plan.
I'm sure there are a ton of other compositions with all of the features there.
The biggest danger is the heat in the summer. Take plenty of water on the hikes as it gets up over 100 during the day - it is a desert.
Best of luck shooting!
I was there this winter. What a wonderful place to shoot!. We did not see a wild animal the whole time we were there so I don't think that should be too big a worry other than your normal precautions. There are many great hikes out to the various arches some of which can be pretty daunting.but there are also many that are quite accessible. That was my first time out there but I will go back.