[pure-silver] Re: Zion/Bryce; places to go
- From: "Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee" <michaelandpaula@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:03:23 -0400
Bob,
At Bryce there are several overlooks to the large
formations that are at the beginning of the park.
They are the best ones. The ride down through the
park beyond that is unnecessary. I did it. Waste
of effort. With large cameras, I never went
further than the overlooks. You will want long
lenses there.
Zion is a hiker's park. With large camera all you
can do is work in the valley (or along the road on
the East side of the park). from the valley. What
to see: a meadow, trees, a river.
There is a great dirt road that begins on Route 14
between Cedar City and Cedar Breaks and goes to
the north end of Zion. It goes through very old
(and very large) Aspen trees. Highly recommended.
And I recommend Cedar Breaks as well.
I haven't been on that dirt road in 35 years or in
that area in general since 1993, but there are
other places you might consider going that are nearby.
First on the list is Canyon de Chelly. If you have
not been there, by all means go. If I only had one
place to photograph in this life, Canyon de Cheely
would be it. Stay at the Thunderbird Lodge or free
camping in the campground next to it. Photograph
from all of the overlooks on the south side of the
park. I like Spider Rock overlook in the morning
and White House overlook at sunset, but any
overlook at any time of day is wonderful. Do not
go to the overlooks on the north side unless there
is someone to stay with your car while you are
photographing. The broken glass in the parking
areas will tell you why. if you have your own 4WD,
hire a guide at the visitor's center and go in.
You drive; they guide. Best is the Canyon del
Muerto side, not the Canyon de Chelly side,
although there are good things there, too.
And if you haven't been there, go to Toroweap
Overlook at the Grand Canyon. Ordinary cars can
make it. it is the only place at the Grand Canyon
where you can drive to the rim where it is
directly above the river. No hiking required. if
you go there, walk a hundred yards or so to the
west and sit on a rock to watch the sunset.
Spectacular.
There are more places in that area, too, but these
will get you started.
Have a great trip,
Michael A. Smith
On 10/31/10 9:33 AM, Frank Filippone wrote:
The trip through Bryce is basically a road
skirting the top of a valley. There are a lot
of trails leading down to the bottom, but be
prepared to walk a distance. It is certainly a
early AM or late afternoon place. Stay at
Ruby's motel..... ( they also have a
campground). Little to no vegetation, red rock
hues. I prefer this park in B+W.
Zion can be very intimate, close to the road.
It is a significantly smaller locale. Very nice
in color if you go quickly when the leaves
change colors.....or in winter when you will
freeze your bippy off in the cold, but maybe get
lucky enough to find a snowfall. Stay at the
Lodge if possible, is not expensive and is quite
a trip back in time. Springdale offers a lot of
accommodations, especially choice for food.
I do suggest the Photograph America newsletter
on these parks... it will motivate you and give
you much local info....
http://photographamerica.com/
Frank Filippone
Red735i@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Does anyone have any special places in Zion or
Bryce? Keeping in mind that I'm pack'n an 8x10,
so long hikes are problematic. This will be my
first trip to these parks. I've read a couple of
guidebooks and have some good maps, but they of
course point out the obvious, pre-planned
tourist lookouts, etc; and at the right time of
the right day these CAN be beautiful and
personal. I'm looking for more of the small,
intimate places; and maybe a clue as to the best
time of day to be there. I know this is a tough
question; I'd be hard pressed to answer it for
places I frequent. One person's special place
may be completely invisible to another; it takes
more than the visual to make a place special and
to make something worth photographing. Whereas a
place or object may have something unique and
personal to say to one photographer, it may have
nothing to say to another. So, with all of those
caveats, I'll let my original question stand,
and add my thanks for any inputs.
Bob Younger
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