Going to Utah for a D30/10D vacation. Where, what, links, a

[rickm]

I'm heading out to Utah in 2 weeks and renting a 29' RV to drive wherever. I'm taking a D30 & 10D with me. Can anyone lend advice on terrific areas to photograph? Moab and Bryce are sure bets but I'd love to hear about other peoples hot spots. Does anyone know of a website dealing with Utah photography? Thanks for any info you can lend.

[rampower]

Moab and south will keep you busy for months... I go for at least a week every year with friends from Michigan. All the Nat'l Parks offer something different. And the rest of the area has slot canyons, Monument Valley, Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument and on and on. Some of the areas take hiking or a 4 wheel drive vehicle. There are loads of sites on the WEB and any area that you chose will not disappoint. Wish I was going with you.

[rickm]

Thanks ram, I'm sure I will be busy for some time. I was wondering if anyone knew of a site that a fair amount of photography taken in Utah? I'd love to start marking the "must shoot" spots.

[Dale53]

I am going back to Utah this fall. I definitely recommend "Arches" and "Canyonlands". They are quite close . "Monument Valley" is also quite interesting with unique photo opportunities. Be sure and visit the "Museum" in Monument Valley - it has a very interesting Hollywood History. In fact, Southern Utah and Arizona have enough photo opportunities to keep someone busy for a lifetime. Grand Canyon is just south of the other venues...

Dale53

[ctgoldwing]

my son & I took a motorcycle trip there last year. Got to Canyonlands & Arches NP. Preferred Arches by a lot! We were mainly on a riding trip and my Sony F707 was definately just along for the ride. You can check out what I shot at:
http://www.molaver.org/may02mc.htm

Have a great time!
Jerry

ps I am heading back to Glacier NP in 2 weeks (the road was closed when we got there last yr). This time it is a photography expedition - lol!

[rdenney]

rickm wrote:
I'm heading out to Utah in 2 weeks and renting a 29' RV to drive wherever. I'm taking a D30 & 10D with me. Can anyone lend advice on terrific areas to photograph? Moab and Bryce are sure bets but I'd love to hear about other peoples hot spots. Does anyone know of a website dealing with Utah photography? Thanks for any info you can lend.

http://www.rickdenney.com/the_american_west.htm

They were made using medium format stuff so perhaps they are not on topic, but so be it. This is just stuff from one recent trip.

Don't forget Capitol Reef, and Highway 12 that goes from there to Bryce. Capitol Reef is between Arches and Bryce, but only if you go north out of Moab to I-70 in Green River, and then southwest on Highway 24 through Hanksville. That takes you past the San Rafael Upswell and the Maze District of Canyonlands (warning: For experienced off-roaders only!). I would take Notom Road south from Highway 24 down the Waterpocket Fold to the Burr Trail, and take the breathtaking switchbacks up the face of the Fold. This connects to High 12 south of Torrey. Also, the jeep trail up through Cathedral Valley in the north of Capitol Reef NP connects to a road that goes over Thousand Lakes Mountain and into Torrey from the west.

Bryce makes a good final destination, because it is so spectacular and it is also much higher in elevation and therefore much more comfortable than the lower desert at Arches.

Basically, just pick a direction and go that way--you can hardly go wrong.

Rick "who has been there at least a dozen times" Denney

[DaveF]

Might be something helpful on the Utah link at

http://www.americansouthwest.net/

Sounds like a great vacation.

[abh555]

If you're going to be in Moab, don't miss Dead Horse Point. It's a state park, not a national park, but there's an incredible view:

http://www.pbase.com/image/3256473

(Very, very hazy when I was there last year -- I hope you have more temperate conditions).

[rickm]

Thanks everyone for the great directions, tips, and links! This board never ceases to amaze me as to quality of folks onboard.

[Mr.Jalapeno]

Here's a good site for best times to shoot in Arches Nat'l. Park. I live a hundred miles from there and visit often. Have a safe and wonderful trip!
http://www.moab-utah.com/archesgallery/phototips.html