Trip to Moab area in January

[PEC]

Looks like I may have a business trip to SLC early in January. I am thinking flying in or out to leave a weekend of shooting. I understand Moab is about 4 hours away. Arches in winter sounds like fun!!! I did Yellowstone last Febuary (-20) and survived so Arches should be easy :)

Any tips on locations?

Thanks!

[scottbuckel]

I have shot both Arches and Canyonlands in January and February. The best part is the main hot spots will have very few if any folks there. I really liked the position of the sun at sunrise at Mesa Arch - very classic location. Dead Horse Point is nice as well. I think Bret Edge has a book on shooting in the area that was just released and as I remember his galleries have location information. I met him when he lived in Colorado and now he lives in Moab.

I think the drive can be almost 5 hours. The hotels are really cheap in January and February.

Scott

[KenJulio]

Paul - This was incorrectly placed in the Showcase area of the forum, I have moved this under the Utah section.

[Todd Lambert]

I should be there the week before you get there, so if you find my frozen body, you can have my gear, as long as you get the note I'll leave, to my wife and family.

Thanks!

[ronocnikral]

What Scott said, mesa arch is nice in the morning, but it is the morning and I have never been successful to get both me and the wife there at the same time. also, the approach to mesa arch is quite pleasant. the approach to delicate arch is a mile-ish and generally quite moderate. sunset is usually a good time, but you may want to check out google earth to see if delicate arch will be blocked prematurely. Generally, sunset is ideal for delicate arch, there will be photogs lined up and someone usually tells the kids to get out of the way once prime shooting time happens.



I also recommend the needles district of canyonlands (south of Moab, towards Monticello). it tends to have less people and there are some very cool formations. Depending on how serious you are, there is an excellent 10-11 mile loop around the needles that will take the better part of the day. But, it is fun, you see a lot and there are even some mini slot canyons you can play in. I can dig up info if you are truly serious about doing it

Also, I would suggest Goblin Valley State Park. There is a lot of cool stuff near Hanksville, including the famous spot where Aron Ralston had to cut off his arm in Bluejohn canyon. Depending on how much time you have, you may want to explore other parts of southern UT which require more driving. The wave is always an option (pending permit), and the Paria canyon offers numerous unique features. Escalante is excellent as well. I can't vouch for the photo opportunities too much, as I mainly back pack through the area, but the drive through Escalante up to Capitol reef is nice, and there are many 1-4 mile hikes one can do (I can send some pages from my hiking books if you are serious).

I'd offer to go with you, but we have an impending bambino scheduled for tomorrow. I'm sure my wife would poo-poo the idea, although I generally don't have to twist her arm too much to go to Moab. It's a slight possibility.

i've done the drive in 3.5 hours, but I would plan for 4 if the roads are clear and there is no traffic. they have construction on I-15 around Provo/Orem just before you get off at Spanish Fork to head towards price. If leaving in the afternoon on a weekday, I would budget more time.

it should be pointed out, that a lot of these sedimentary formations are present in the desert b/c of wind. Cold is one thing, very windy conditions is another.

lots of options. one could spend their entire life there and not see it all.

[Todd Lambert]

Great info, thanks Ron! I'm going to add a bunch of that to my notes before my trip. I'm not going to be there very long, but I will packing in as much as I can.

I'll be working mostly at night and traveling from place to place during the day... but I may be traveling some at night... and issues with that?

[ronocnikral]

you may want to check out this guy's work for some ideas of where to go as well for photo ops.

Jason Christensen Fine Art Photography Rock