Southern UT, Tetons, Yellowstone and Rushmore

[jimsalles]

Photogs,

I have a trip planned to southern Utah, the Tetons, Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore in June.

Can any of you suggest driving and short walking sites suitable for good photography in southern Utah? I have 3 days available.

Thanks!

Big Jim

[lfmerrell]

Yellowstone - Jackson highway at night is a potential big problem. You are driving through our largest elk preserve. These elk, at night, hang out on the side of the roads in the shadows grazing. They are not seen until upon them. There is a tendency for some to jump into the road. Most seem car shy. This is a good stretch of road for an eagle eyed shot gun rider and after dark one with a night scope.

National Elk Refuge in Jackson Wyoming - AllGrandTeton.com

[jimsalles]

Thanks L.F.!

I do not intend driving at night in Yellowstone. If I do, however, I will be extra cautious because of your alert!

Thanks!

Big Jim

[r0xikat]

Bryce NP is doable in a day. Zion has a lot of things to see, but if you have a full day you can do a lot and just take the buses.

[jimsalles]

Thanks r0xikat.

I don't think I'll have time to venture much west of Kanab. I need to be at the Tetons on my fourth day.

Big Jim

[Buddha]

I'm a little confused about the time you have available to spend where.
Zion is head and shoulders above any other park in Southern Utah, IMO. If you are time limited, go there first and do it right. Its close to a 3 day drive from Beaumont.
I assume that you have no interest in the Grand Canyon, for some reason. You will pass near it.
Yellowstone is awesome! Spend more than a day here to do it right.
Mt Rushmore is near Spearfish and Sturgis. It will take the better part of a day to get there from Yellowstone. Once there, you stand in a viewing area and look at it until you have seen enough and taken enough photos. It's a beautiful sight, but that was 10-15 minutes for me and others.
Some unsolicited advice. Once out there, traveling from Southern Utah to Yellowstone to Mt Rushmore will require alot of time on the road. I would suggest that you log onto U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America and look at the parks in areas that you are interested in, then decide what fits the time you have available. If you can't see everything, you have an excuse to make another trip. At least that is the way it works in my house.

[jimsalles]

FYI -- my time frame is 3 days in southern UT with a fourth driving to the Tetons. In addition, I will have 11 days for the tetons, Yellowstone and Rushmore.

Thanks for your input!

Big Jim

[lfmerrell]

No mention of the Crazy Horse Monument a work in progress. Seventeen miles or so from MT Rushmore.

Crazy Horse Memorial - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Crazy Horse - Black Hills South Dakota

[jimsalles]

That's on our agenda! Thanks for the reminder.

Big Jim

[shamrock]

Yellowstone takes a week to do properly, and i'd allow another 3 days for Tetons. Mt. Rushmore is only a couple hour visit for me. I've not been to any of the places mentioned in UT.

[PEC]

A few suggestions:

Zion: The northwest section (seperate entrance) lights up very nice at sunset - IMO well worth it.

Bryce: I really like Bryce, but very challenging to get great shots... talk to the rangers regarding where the sun will rise in respect to the pullouts. I have only shot Bryce in Jan/Feb time of year - I love the white snow, red rocks and blue sky and lack of crowds - some people just don't enjoy really cold weather :) Also, Bryce is one of the darkest places in the US for night photography - very little light pollution. We were shooting the milky way there.


Canyonlands: I would probably pass as you don't have proper time to explore this vast area.

Capital Reef: I enjoy this park worth a day - again best to be there morning or evening for the warm light on the red rock

Are you headed to the southeast area? If so, go to Monument Valley - arrange for an Indian guide to take you in areas the general public can't go. Go early or late.

Grand Canyon: IMO, the north side is less crowded and very nice - also cooler as elevation is higher.

On way north - swing by Arches - this is on my "go to" list. best shots require hiking and therefore time.

Enjoy! Sounds like a great trip.