Sunset & Sunrise shot suggestions for Grand Canyon (South Rim)
Discussion
2 replies
Posted by Pete Miller on September 27, 2013 at 8:08 PM
Hey Folks,
I have an opportunity, since I put my Fall Colors trip on pause to go spend a week with my Mom & Dad [Dad's Parkinson's and Dementia are getting aggressive], to get a sunset & sunrise shoot in.
I have a campsite reserved at Mather Campground for Friday (03 Oct) -> Sat (04 Oct), as I resume my Fall Colors trip.
Questions:
1) What would be the best location for sunset, given my campsite location?
2) What would be the best location for Sunrise, given my campsite location?
Thanks in advance!
- -
Pete
Posted by Adam Schallau on September 29, 2013 at 1:31 AM
Hi Pete,
Be advised...the canyon has been filling with smoke from a prescribed burn in the forest south of Grand Canyon Village. You can find more info here: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3735/
You may also want to be ready to make alternate plans just in case the government shuts down and the park is closed.
How far are you willing to drive from your campsite and how much time do you have? It's a 45 minute drive out to Desert View at the east end of the park, and its about 45 minutes on the shuttle out to the end of the Hermit Road. There are 14 viewpoints within the developed part of the South Rim which you can either drive to or ride the shuttle buses to. There are an additional 4 viewpoints that require some moderate hiking. I often hike the rim between the viewpoints to get away from the other visitors, but that does require extra time.
If you're just looking for a quick shoot, then I recommend checking out Yaki Point (requires riding the Orange Route shuttle from the Visitor Center) for either sunrise or sunset. You could also explore the rim west of Yavapai Point, walking back towards Grand Canyon Village and Grandeur Point, for sunset or sunrise.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my grandfather to Dementia last year. It's extremely tough on the family...y'all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Pete Miller on September 29, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Hi Adam,
Thanks for the reply! Much appreciated. At this juncture, I am exploring my options, as I resume my fall colors trip on Friday. I have a campsite reserved at Mather Campground, but will keep an eye on the prescribed burn...:)
My plan is to leave my folks house in Sun City West around 10:30am on Friday, which puts me at GCNP by 2:45 - 3:00. That gives me plenty of time to set up my tent and get to any of the points in the Park. I'd prefer to go to a location that is going to be different than Desert View or Grandview Point, as I've photographed there, but could remember 'which' was the most scenic for sunset and sunrise.
I suppose I could hop on the shuttle and work my way out to Hermits Rest for Sunset and shoot at Pima Point or Hopi Point for Sunrise, before heading back to the campsite to pack up and head back to CO to resume the trip. :)
Discussion
2 repliesI have an opportunity, since I put my Fall Colors trip on pause to go spend a week with my Mom & Dad [Dad's Parkinson's and Dementia are getting aggressive], to get a sunset & sunrise shoot in.
I have a campsite reserved at Mather Campground for Friday (03 Oct) -> Sat (04 Oct), as I resume my Fall Colors trip.
Questions:
1) What would be the best location for sunset, given my campsite location?
2) What would be the best location for Sunrise, given my campsite location?
Thanks in advance!
- -
Pete
Be advised...the canyon has been filling with smoke from a prescribed burn in the forest south of Grand Canyon Village. You can find more info here: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3735/
You may also want to be ready to make alternate plans just in case the government shuts down and the park is closed.
How far are you willing to drive from your campsite and how much time do you have? It's a 45 minute drive out to Desert View at the east end of the park, and its about 45 minutes on the shuttle out to the end of the Hermit Road. There are 14 viewpoints within the developed part of the South Rim which you can either drive to or ride the shuttle buses to. There are an additional 4 viewpoints that require some moderate hiking. I often hike the rim between the viewpoints to get away from the other visitors, but that does require extra time.
If you're just looking for a quick shoot, then I recommend checking out Yaki Point (requires riding the Orange Route shuttle from the Visitor Center) for either sunrise or sunset. You could also explore the rim west of Yavapai Point, walking back towards Grand Canyon Village and Grandeur Point, for sunset or sunrise.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my grandfather to Dementia last year. It's extremely tough on the family...y'all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for the reply! Much appreciated. At this juncture, I am exploring my options, as I resume my fall colors trip on Friday. I have a campsite reserved at Mather Campground, but will keep an eye on the prescribed burn...:)
My plan is to leave my folks house in Sun City West around 10:30am on Friday, which puts me at GCNP by 2:45 - 3:00. That gives me plenty of time to set up my tent and get to any of the points in the Park. I'd prefer to go to a location that is going to be different than Desert View or Grandview Point, as I've photographed there, but could remember 'which' was the most scenic for sunset and sunrise.
I suppose I could hop on the shuttle and work my way out to Hermits Rest for Sunset and shoot at Pima Point or Hopi Point for Sunrise, before heading back to the campsite to pack up and head back to CO to resume the trip. :)
Thx again Adam!
- -
Pete