A couple of hikes in Zion, which lens(es)

[JC4]

We've never been, and I don't want to hike with a bunch of lenses that just sit in my pack. Yea, I'm lazy, but mostly just out of shape and will already be lugging plenty of water.

We're taking at least two hikes, The Narrows and Angles Landing. I've looked through some pics, and everything looks huge, but I have no idea of the scale or vantage points. What lens or lenses will I be wanting? FF body.

My wide zooms are: 17-40, 24-70, 24-105, and 10-17 FE

Will I need/want anything long, for landscape or wild life?
I have: 70-200 f/2.8IS, 100-400, 135L+TCs, 100 macro

Any need for filters, tri-pod...? I have a <2lbs Gitzo including head, so if I'd use it, its worth carrying.

[newphoto]

A hike through those areas of Zion will probably not encounter any wildlife except small birds. You will definitely need a tripod and a cable release as many of the canyons in Zion are not well lit. Also a split neutral density filter and a polarizer. I would take the 10-17 and the 24-105. I will be returning in late October and I will be hiking with my 10-22 and 24-105 and the other equipment I mentioned. Enjoy yourself it is a special place.

[JC4]

Wow, glad I asked. I would have never taken the FE. I just added it to the list, because I own it. I figured with the huge scale, I'd be wanting something on the long end, not the uber-wide end. Even the 17-40 doesn't cut it?

Thanks on the Tripod & filter advice too. I wasn't sure on the lighting how many low-shutter speed shots I'd be taking, if any.

[newphoto]

Your welcome John. I was replying with recommendations just for your hike. If possible I would take all your lenses to Zion, just don't take them all on those two hikes. I was assuming you had a crop frame camera. If not I would substitute the 17-40 for the 10-17.

[JC4]

Cool, I was wondering, when you mentioned your 10-22, if you missed my FF comment and were thinking crop. The 17-40 and 24-105 make for a nice light hiking combo. And, don't worry, I always travel heavy, just wanted to hike light.

We've never been anywhere like Zion, and can't wait to see it in person.

[tkbslc]

The narrows is a very difficult hike, often through up to waist deep water. Keep that in mind when you consider how much gear to bring. ALso keep in mind that many people struggle to complete the whole hike while it is still light out, so don't dawdle too much for pictures if you plan to complete the whole route.

Angels landing is a more traditional hike with a great view from the top. Pack what you want for that hike.

I would probably want something wide-normal for both hikes. You can find wildlife in the park, but it is definitely not the main attraction. I don't remember seeing anything more than squirrels, lizards and a few hawks on any of my trips. It is more desert contry than forest/mountain.

[tvphotog]

I would certainly take the 17-40 and the 24-105, but I'll tell you a story. I was on a trip to the Loire Valley, where I assumed I'd shoot castles and gardens and citiscapes...which I did. But one day I was on the river bank when a flock of terns appeared and started fishing on the river surface. I put on the 100-400 and got some incredible close up BIF shots at 400mm. Maybe you should reconsider and add the 100-400, making three lenses.

I was using the Thinktank Rotation 360 backpack, and carrying three lenses in it plus accessories would be a snap. I wore it all day with the 1541t Gitzo on it, too.

[B-ham Gary]

I've done both hikes (the same day, actually) and got great use out of my 17-40L. My gear list was quite a bit shorter then, but I was happy to have that lens (and not carry a lot of gear as I was white-knuckled-scared on Angel's Landing).

Helpful hint: bring some garden gloves up there as the metal chains can be cold / can pinch your hands... and go EARLY to avoid having to pass other people on a narrow ledge with 1300' exposure just two feet off trail.

I've been to Zion twice and I'm going back the first week of October. There are some excellent hikes... consider Observation Point and the West Rim Trail segment that branches off the Angle's Landing approach. Very pretty.

You can do the lower 2+ miles of The Narrows without a permit and without getting super wet (depending on the time of year). I did it in late September and only got wet above the knee once. Trekking poles help a great deal -- better than all those people carrying big wooden sticks.

I did the hike just after lunch so the light was somewhat overhead. I'll bring my tripod next month as The Narrows, even in midday light, can be pretty dim. A monopod would be a good tool also (I don't own one.)

Feel free to take a look as some Setember and March Zion shots here:

http://home.comcast.net/~northwestgary/vacation/

http://home.comcast.net/~northwestga...008/index.html

Cheers,

Gary

[D_M_T]

I hiked Angel's landing back in May, excellent hike. I never used the chains so if you've got good balance you should be ok. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend the hike to anyone afraid of heights. Go as early as possible (we left at 7) and you will avoid running into too many people and won't have to worry about overheating. As for lenses, I would concur with the 17-40 + 24-105 combo. No need for a long zoom IMO.

I stopped short of going through the narrows b/c the water was very cold so can't advise you there. If you want closeup shots of the rock climbers you'll want a longer zoom. Have fun.

[irishman]

Originally Posted by D_M_T

I hiked Angel's landing back in May, excellent hike. I never used the chains so if you've got good balance you should be ok. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend the hike to anyone afraid of heights. Go as early as possible (we left at 7) and you will avoid running into too many people and won't have to worry about overheating. As for lenses, I would concur with the 17-40 + 24-105 combo. No need for a long zoom IMO.

I stopped short of going through the narrows b/c the water was very cold so can't advise you there. If you want closeup shots of the rock climbers you'll want a longer zoom. Have fun.

Be sure you look at several pictures of this trail before you go. With my fear of heights, I couldn't even make it through Walters Wiggles. Be sure your life insurance is paid up.

[JC4]

Thanks for all the info and tips.

Yea, I am afraid of heights. Gonna be a struggle in places, I'm sure. Maybe a long lens, and take pictures from the base? Gonna be damn tough taking pics with both hands clamped to the chains. LOL.
I really appreciate the leave early tip, to limit passing people on narrow passageways. That one never occurred to me. We're staying in the park, and will still be on EST, so it shouldn't be a problem to get moving at sunrise. Can I do it in the dark? That'll help the FOH thing.

[gojirasf]

I went to Zion in the Spring and all that I can recommend is as wide an angle as possible. The 17-40 would be my go-to lens if I were you ... in fact, being in Zion made me buy my 11-16 as soon as I returned home.

[B-ham Gary]

If you're staying in the Lodge, you can get a head start and walk to the trailhead before the first shuttle gets there. I stay in Springdale (actually a nice little town with decent food and coffee).

We did make sure we caught the first bus and were among the first going up the trail. I couldn't do it without holding chains; I have a terrible fear of heights. My heart was pounding most of the time and I had to got ~10 minutes separately from my sweetie as I couldn't bear to watch her. Go figure, I'm a mountaineering climbing leader in the Cascades. I overcome my fear of heights by trusting my harness and gear. Take that away... yikes!

I'm glad I did it... it focuses the mind. I'm not sure if I'll do it again... but I'll throw my garden gloves in my luggage next week in case I get the urge while I'm there.

No need to lug a tripod or tele on this hike. I had a Lowe Top Load Zoom cliped to my pack's hip belt for easy access to the camera.

You can do it in the dark (I spoke with some locals who have done that), but bear in mind that there's not a string of chains the entire way and some of the dirctions changes take a good look to know which way to proceed.

You'll love it!

Gary

[JC4]

Getting close now. One last question, on the tripod in the narrows. Do I need much height? I ask because I have a little 1 foot tripod that weighs next to nothing, and is plenty stable. If it'll work, I'd take it over my 1541t, mostly due to size not weight.

[Helena]

We visited Zion a couple of weeks ago (beautiful!). I didn't have anything wider than 24mm on my 5D and was OK with that, but if I had a 17-40 it would probably have been great.

I have to tell you though that we came across a herd of bighorns in Zion. I had my 70-200/4IS + 1.4x teleconverter which was great. They were so close that I had no problems filling the frame at 280mm. From what other people told us this is very rare, so I don't know if I'd recommend you to bring your heavy tele lenses just because of this.

Have a great time!