Arches, Canyonlands and Monument Valley
 

Leaving in a couple of days to travel Utah from Arches National Park and down to Monument Valley. Anyone have some must see vistas or things to do to share with me on short notice?

Thanks,

Bob :cool:

don't let the hike (by far the longest) deter you from going up to delicate arch. marvelous place

What he said. Make sure you see Landscape Arch, because it might not be around for too much longer. Where are you staying? Camping inside the park is first come first serve (it used to be at least) but I think prices have really gone up.

It's been ages since I've been to Canyonlands or Monument Valley, so I've forgotten all the must sees...have a good time!!

I was just in arches a week and a half ago...

do delicate arch... and do it an hour before sunset and stay thru sunset to take pictures then hike out by flashlight

If you do any offroading I highly recomend Top of the World ... its in that area... I did it in my stock 93 ford explorer 4x4 without too much trouble... it tops out on this cliff that is 3500 feet up and you can park your car right on the edge, its a gorgeous view... its basically an all day trip tho...
http://www.jschrodt.net/pics/Moab/PC020391.JPG theres me

ask around in some of the shops in Moab... i'm sure someone can point you in the right direction...

While doing both Arches and Canyonlands, I'll be staying in Moab. I'm landing in Grand Junction this Wednesday morning from Dallas and then driving on towards Moab. I plan on seeing Goblin Valley on Wednesday afternoon and hopefully having enough time to get to Delicate Arch for sunset. Thursday thru Saturday morning is earmarked for both Arches and Canyonland. Saturday afternoon I'm headed to Monument Valley and will stay down there until sunrise Monday morning. Then headed to Mesa Verde right after sunrise and end up in Ouray on Monday nite. Planning on dinner in Telluride (Mountain Village) for sunset Monday. Tuesday is a drive back to Grand Junction for a late flight out on Tuesday.

I doubt I'll have any time to do any off roading. I've hired a <B>guide</B> to take me out on Sunday morning for a five hour sunrise tour of Monument Valley, which is geared for photographers.

Besides the above, I'm flexible. :cool:

I do appreciate the suggestions given by all. Thanks.

Ok...I asked my dad about this because he's spent a lot of time in Southern Utah...and this is what he came up with as must see areas:

Canyonlands ... in the northern part of the park, go see Muscleman Arch, Aztec Butte (its a bit of a walk to the top but there are Indian ruins up there) and go see Upheaval Dome. In the southern part of the park, Elephant canyon is a must see, and try to see Chesler Park. He said that all these places will be marked on an area specific map of the Park.

As far as Monument Valley, he said the best place to go is a place on the way (although I can't tell you what way he was talking about) ...it's called Valley of the Gods. He said it's not far from Monument Valley, so if you have spare time, it might be a good place to go.

My dad is a big walker, so some of these places may be a bit of a hike, but since he knows the area so well, I'd bet that these are good places to see. Hope this helped a little!

One more thing...Mesa Verde is awesome. Very good choice there :thumbsup:

Thanks for the great tips. I don't mind hiking and planned on it. Just hope I can cover everything in no more than 5 days before moving on to Colorado. I'll definitely mark these spots. Thanks, again. :thumbsup:

Did you have a good time in Utah, tropic?

Thanks for asking. It was a great time, but I found out that three days in Arches, 1/2 day in Canyonlands (Islands in the Sky), 1/2 day in the La Sal Mountains and a day at Monument Valley is nowhere near enough time to really appreciate the beauty of these places. I hope to return here in the late fall or early winter and spend some more time in Arches National Park.

I've posted a few of my sunrise and sunset photos in the Tilted Photography Forum, already. I'll post a few others, here, that are of the various areas of Utah.

The first batch of photos will be of Arches National Park. If there's any interest, I'll post some more, later. Thanks. :cool:

http://www.tropicdiver.com/utah1tfp.jpg


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Great shots (as always).

I kept waiting for your hand in a shot making the OK sign... don't know why but it would have been cheesily perfect.

Wonderful place to share, tropicdiver :thumbsup: I have wanted to see this park myself for many years now.

I love the one with the couple in there for perspective ... these monuments are truly larger than life.

Here's another smaller batch. First two are from Arches and the next two are from Canyonlands (the sky was really washed out the day I went there) and the rest are from Castle Valley and the La Sal Mountains just east of Moab.

I really found it amazing that within an hour of Moab you could be in 100 degree desert or having to wear a jacket and standing in a clear freezing stream while looking at the snow in the peaks surrounding you.

http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfp1arch.jpg

http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfp2arch.jpg

http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpcl1.jpg

http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpcl2.jpg

http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpcv1.jpg

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http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpls1.jpg

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http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpls3.jpg

Damn.
Gorgeous stuff TD.
Wow.

And finally the drive south down to the Utah/Arizona border and Monument Valley.

I have seen the classic photo of the Highway 163 and the approach from the north and the first glimpse of Monument Valley. I was thrilled to see it and to be able to pull of the road and take the same photo.

Shortly after taking a few shots, a heck of a sandstorm blew thru and stayed the rest of the evening and nto the early morning. Fortunately, if finally stopped in time for me to make the drive thru Monument Valley Park and quench my thirst for the time being of visiting the area. :cool:

http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpclassic.jpg

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http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpsandstorm.jpg

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http://www.tropicdiver.com/tfpmv2.jpg

Great pictures, tropic! It's been far too long since I've been to the southern portion of my homestate...and I'm always amazed at the beauty of it :) Glad you had a good time!

Thanks to everyone for their kind words. I do appreciate it. I'm looking forward to returning there to the Moab area, again. I really enjoyed the diversity of the area surrounding Moab. :cool:

the colors are amazing... what a great eye you have... thanks for sharing those beautiful pics...

Great work on a beautiful subject. I love that place. What a jewel