Thoughts on Arizona itinerary

[vtphotography]

Hello everyone,
I wanted to get an opinion on an upcoming itinerary for a spring trip. It would consist of 3 days in antelope canyon, 3 days in monument valley (plus goosenecks), 3 days in canyon de chelley. Enough time for each? Too long? Been to grand canyon, Zion, Bryce, arches, and canyonlands.

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

Thanks!

[JeffCS]

Sounds like a reasonable amount of time for each location. I am planning a 10 day trip to Zion, Bryce and The Wave in late October. I would suggest getting a copy of Photograph America Newsletters #27 on Monument Valley and Canyon De Chelly, and #89 on Antelope Valley. Visit www.photographamerica.com for them.

How was your experience photographing at Zion, Bryce, Arches, and Canyonlands? What time of year did you go?

Have a great trip!

Jeff

[argyle]

If its strictly Antelope Canyon, three days is much too long...you can shoot upper and lower in a single day. If the three days will include other sites in the area of AC, three days should be enough. You'll need a permit for the Wave, so applying using the on-line lottery is advised. If not, you can take your chances by showing up at the Ranger station for a walk-on pass, but those are very limited in number. If you get the permit, the Wave will probably consume a full day off the itinerary. Of course, there's also Horseshoe Bend just south of downtown Page, AZ not to mention the Wahweap Hoodoos about 30-minutes north of Page. Canyon X is only available through an outfitter in Page.

If you just plan on shooting at Monument Valley from the parking lot at The View, or just driving the loop road, three days here is a stretch as well. If you could swing it, you should try to arrange an overnight camp at the top of Hunt's Mesa (sunset and sunrise shooting)...it is very much worth the expense and effort to do so. There's a Navajo guide in MV (Tom Phillips) that provides full 4WD transport to the top of Hunt's, overnight gear, and meals. If you want to shoot the Totem Pole and Y'ei Bi Chei formations (sunrise), you'll will need a Navajo guide for this as well. If you don't plan on any of these spots at MV, three days IMO is a bit long.

I recommend that you pick up a copy of Laurent Martres excellent book, "Photographing the Southwest". You'd need Volume 2 (Arizona). The book goes to great lengths to identify shooting locations, types of filters necessary, recommended focal lengths, and directions, etc.

[irishman]

You can do Antelope in a day. Hit Horseshoe Bend, 3 miles south of Page, in afternoon. Don't need 3 days for Canyon de Chelly or Monument Valley either, at least if you travel like I do. Petrified Forest is nearby if you have time.

[Juneb]

went out west last year ,we went to Zion , Canyonlands , then down to the Grand Canyon. I could have stayed months instead of weeks. so many pics to take,
so many sights, Thank goodness for digital , film would have made all the pics so expensive

[Crystal W Photography]

IMO, as a photographer that is never enough time. lol However it does sound like it would work out. I was able to visit the grand canyon and wish I could stay longer. Have fun.

[Juneb]

I can't wait to see the pictures you take here is one of my favorite spots

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/boomalai/fall%20west%202010/CIMG1563.jpg

[bbqkid8]

I did a similar trip last year, but only spend one full day at each of the places you mentioned. It was more than enough time for me and the weather cooperated nicely.