Posted by Angela Classen on September 5, 2013 at 10:43 AM
I'm planning to head to Mesa Verde on Saturday. Will get there mid-morning and plan to stay all day. I'll stay in Cortez Saturday night then hit the park again maybe for sunrise and hang out all morning before I need to head back. Any tips on what is the best time to shoot some of the bigger structures? I've only been there once, over 15 yrs. ago, and wasn't into photography as much back then so didn't pay much attention to things.
Also going to go back over Lizard Head Pass. Any spots I should be especially aware of for photos?
Posted by John Mumaw on September 5, 2013 at 11:12 AM
This time of year, the big cliff dwellings are mostly in shade during the middle of the day (smart Anasazi builders!), which is what you want for making photos. Anytime that sun and shadow mix on the ruins makes for mediocre images at best, IMO. Concentrating on building details and interesting closeup angles may be fruitful.
Wetherill Mesa closed on Labor Day. The most photogenic ruin in the park is Square Tower ruin, an afternoon/early evening shot. Unfortunately, it's covered in scaffolding.
Tours to Balcony House are still ongoing.
There is a brand new visitor's center right by the highway now. Good place to check out and I think you can get tour tickets there. They can also give you status on Square Tower.
Feel like a short hike? MV has been offering short backcountry hikes that lead to rarely visited cliff dwellings.
The last one of the year to Oak Tree House is this Saturday, so I would book a trip ASAP if you're interested. There is also a longer Upper Navajo Canyon hike available. More info. here. I've done 'em all and I highly recommend that option.
*EDIT* I see you won't be arriving 'til long after those hikes start.
As interesting a place as MV is, it's not really a photographer's 'paradise' Keeping expectations low will result in a nicer trip.
If sunset looks promising, there's a paved pullout with a viewpoint shelter on the main road just a couple of miles up from the entrance station that overlooks the Mancos valley with an expansive view of the LaPlata Mountains. You'll see it on the way up.
You've photographed Mystic Falls from the highway north of Lizard Head Pass with Bret & Todd once, right? Would you like to see it closer? There's a short drive past the Ames Hydroelectric Plant near Ophir that wiill lead to a short trail where you'll be right on top of the falls. The road also leads to Upper Mystic Falls which is a hundred yards from the road. Email me within 3 hours for directions.
If I weren't leaving for Arizona in a few hours, I'd love to meet up with you folks. Best of luck and light to you!
Posted by Angela Classen on September 6, 2013 at 12:38 AM
Thanks for the info, John. I'll keep my expectations low, and just enjoy the park. I've been itching to get back down there and spend a bit more time checking out all the ruins. I've been poking around the NP web site and did see that Wetherill Mesa is closed for the season. Seems early to close to me but that gives me a good excuse to go back next year so I can see that part of the park!
I have photographed around Mystic Falls with Bret & Todd, but we actually shot from near the power plant, not the highway. Besides, I don't think my super low clearance Honda Civic would make it up that road Can you see the falls from the highway? Now I have to go look it up.
Have a great trip to AZ. Good light to you as well
Posted by Phillip Noll on September 6, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Posted by Angela Classen on September 6, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Phillip & Joshua, thanks so much for the links! You've given me tons of useful info. I appreciate it and hope to get some interesting images.
Posted by Phillip Noll on September 6, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Good luck!
One other tip: If the light is not cooperating, take photos anyway and then get artistic and try sepia-toning or other ways to make them look "old-timey". I find the ruins can look good this way!
Posted by Tom Stermitz on September 6, 2013 at 5:00 PM
Going very early in the day, as in catching the first tour, will greatly reduce the number of people on the tours. Before the tours open, you can drive the rims
Discussion
7 repliesAlso going to go back over Lizard Head Pass. Any spots I should be especially aware of for photos?
Wetherill Mesa closed on Labor Day. The most photogenic ruin in the park is Square Tower ruin, an afternoon/early evening shot. Unfortunately, it's covered in scaffolding.
Tours to Balcony House are still ongoing.
There is a brand new visitor's center right by the highway now. Good place to check out and I think you can get tour tickets there. They can also give you status on Square Tower.
Feel like a short hike? MV has been offering short backcountry hikes that lead to rarely visited cliff dwellings.
The last one of the year to Oak Tree House is this Saturday, so I would book a trip ASAP if you're interested. There is also a longer Upper Navajo Canyon hike available. More info. here. I've done 'em all and I highly recommend that option.
*EDIT* I see you won't be arriving 'til long after those hikes start.
As interesting a place as MV is, it's not really a photographer's 'paradise' Keeping expectations low will result in a nicer trip.
If sunset looks promising, there's a paved pullout with a viewpoint shelter on the main road just a couple of miles up from the entrance station that overlooks the Mancos valley with an expansive view of the LaPlata Mountains. You'll see it on the way up.
You've photographed Mystic Falls from the highway north of Lizard Head Pass with Bret & Todd once, right? Would you like to see it closer? There's a short drive past the Ames Hydroelectric Plant near Ophir that wiill lead to a short trail where you'll be right on top of the falls. The road also leads to Upper Mystic Falls which is a hundred yards from the road. Email me within 3 hours for directions.
If I weren't leaving for Arizona in a few hours, I'd love to meet up with you folks. Best of luck and light to you!
I have photographed around Mystic Falls with Bret & Todd, but we actually shot from near the power plant, not the highway. Besides, I don't think my super low clearance Honda Civic would make it up that road
Have a great trip to AZ. Good light to you as well
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0704/pn0704-1.html
http://www.viewfindermedia.com/guide/mesaverde.htm
One other tip: If the light is not cooperating, take photos anyway and then get artistic and try sepia-toning or other ways to make them look "old-timey". I find the ruins can look good this way!
Here's an example.