Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands€¦ · Famous for arches, towers and canyons, there is no...

Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 1

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands

“What draws us into the desert is the search for something intimate in

the remote.”

- Edward Abbey

Pricing, Dates & Booking

For current pricing, trip dates

& online reservations please

see our website.

Trip Packets

Our PDF Trip Packets are being

updated all the time. Ensure you

have the most recent version by

clicking here.

Last Published: April 7, 2020

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Trip Overview

Odds are good, that when you think of the southwestern United States,

images conjured up are from the Moab area of southeastern Utah.

Famous for arches, towers and canyons, there is no shortage of incredible

scenery to behold here. Home to two National Parks, along with an

additional 1.8 million acres of BLM managed public lands, the

opportunities for iconic and unique photos are truly endless. Vast

expanses of red rock go on as far as the eye can see, and the nearby La

Sal Mountains make for a beautiful backdrop for many compositions.

This is truly a wonderful place, a must on any landscape photographer’s

‘bucket list.’

On this five day hiking and vehicle-based photo tour you will have the

opportunity to photograph some of Utah’s most iconic landscapes, and

even some lesser known gems few know about. Look forward to locations





such at Delicate, Mesa, and Landscape Arches, among others. Your

knowledgeable photo guide will ensure that you are in position to

photograph these mesmerizing features during best light at each

location.

We’ll want to photograph almost exclusively during sunrise or sunset, so

this trip will have many early mornings and some late evenings. We’ll

stay busy on this fabulous itinerary, with afternoon hikes and

sightseeing built in!

Join Backcountry Journeys for an exploration of Arches & Canyonlands

National Parks and find yourself – and your lens – immersed in the

world’s most unforgettable desert landscape.

Highlights

• Photograph iconic landscapes such as Mesa Arch and Delicate

Arch

• Intentional focus on shooting during golden hour twice daily

• Opportunities to shoot lesser known features of the Moab area

• Small Groups

• Top-notch meals

• Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro





Noteworthy Travel Logistics • This trip begins & ends in Moab, Utah at the

Homewood Suites By Hilton Moab*

132 N. Main Street, Moab, UT 84532

Phone: 435-259-7000

*Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted.

If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us.

• You can contact these local shuttle services for transportation between

the Moab airport and Homewood Suites: http://airporthopper.us/

https://moabtrailtaxi.com

https://www.canyonlandsshuttle.com/services

• You can arrive at any time on Day One of the tour as long as you

arrive in time for the 5pm orientation meeting that evening.

• We should be back in Moab sometime in the early afternoon on the

last day of the tour.



http://airporthopper.us/

https://moabtrailtaxi.com/

https://www.canyonlandsshuttle.com/services



Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day One (Travel Day) (D)

Arrive in Moab, Utah. Please meet in the lobby of our hotel at 5pm for

an orientation and welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day Two (B,L,D)

This morning will be our earliest of the week as we head to the Islands

in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park to capture perhaps

one of the most iconic desert landscape photos in Utah. Sunrise at Mesa

Arch is an incredible experience and should be on every landscape

photographer’s bucket list. We’ll photograph this icon as the sun crests

the horizon, making for stunning images of the arch, canyons and rock

features below with the La Sal Mountain range on the horizon,

complete with a Starburst. We’ll remain here following sunrise as the

arch provides a “surprise” to those willing to wait for a while a while. As

the golden hues fade from underneath the arch, we will pack up and

head back to Moab for a short break until lunch.

Following lunch, we’ll set out for Arches National Park, and an

afternoon hike to Sand and Broken Arches. Here, we’ll be immersed in

the geology of the park as we stretch our legs and photograph the two

arches, fins and other features that dot the landscape here.

Directly after our hike we’ll press on to our evening’s sunset shot,

Balanced Arch. This is one of the most iconic features in the Park, and

also one of the most photographed. We’ll photograph Balanced Rock

from a spot most don’t. As the sun has fully set and we capture the last

bit of glow, we’ll return to Moab for a delicious dinner at a carefully

selected local restaurant before retiring for the evening.





Day Three (B,L,D)

We will depart our hotel early this morning, heading for nearby Castle

Valley. Here, in the foothills of the La Sal Mountains, we’ll find

Castleton Tower and the adjacent ridgeline known as the Rectory.

These rock features have been seen in television and film for years and

have become uber famous in the rock-climbing community, as well. As

optimal light fades, we will head back towards town, stopping along the

Colorado River at different vantage points as the great river carves its

way through the towering canyon walls.

We’ll have brunch at our hotel and break shortly to rest up before

heading out for our afternoon activities. We’ll either hike or check out

Newspaper Rock and have a picnic along the way.

This evening we’ll head back towards Canyonlands, and the Island in

the Sky District, where we’ll find a few late afternoon vantage points

overlooking the famed Shafer Canyon before settling in for our sunset

shot of the expansive system of canyons below our perch up high on the

cliffs. We’ll soak it all up as the setting sun turns the rock features and

canyons below a fiery red. Upon our return to Moab, we’ll dine at one of

Moab’s most famous restaurants before heading back to our wonderful

hotel for some much-needed rest.

Day Four (B,D)

Today is all about Arches National Park. The ‘Windows’ section of the

Park offers a stunning selection of rock features. Turret Arch is viewed

by many as perhaps the best sunrise spot in the Park. The angle of this

dynamite feature positions it perfectly to catch the glow of the morning

sun as it crests the horizon. We’ll find a nice choice of compositions

here.

When we’ve had our fill, we’ll check out nearby Double Arch and the

Parade of Elephants before moving on to Park Avenue, an area (and





possible short hike) that is a perfect spot to continue our discussion on

the geology of the rock features here at Arches.

We’ll take this afternoon off to provide time for you to see and

experience the town of Moab, as well as get some rest and relaxation

before the most physically challenging evening of our tour.

We will likely get a mid-afternoon start in order to head back into

Arches National Park, this time to shoot Delicate Arch at sunset. The

arch is 1.5 miles (3 miles roundtrip) from the road, so we will have to

hike with all of our equipment over a moderate trail of slickrock. Bring

a headlamp, as typically the best views of this magical location are after

the sun has just dipped below the horizon, lighting up the La Sal

mountain range in the background.

Day Five (B)

Our final shot will be at the Devil’s Garden section of Arches National

Park, and the famous and enormous Landscape Arch. We’ll have a

nearly 1-mile hike to get to the arch, which stretches roughly 300 feet!

Landscape Arch is the largest natural span in the Western Hemisphere,

and this thin sliver of free-standing rock is a sight to behold as it seems

to defy gravity and time. Once we’re satisfied with our sunrise images,

we’ll check out neighboring arches as we hike back towards our vehicle.

Back in Moab we’ll have brunch at a local coffee shop, reveling in the

successes of our time together before saying goodbye after a wonderful

tour of the Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks.

Please Note: The exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be

based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure

we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects.

Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods,

forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of

wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or

specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.





Trip Details

Physical Requirements

All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability

to walk up to 3 miles in one outing with camera equipment and

essential hiking gear. For example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen,

water and extra layers (if necessary). The weight of your pack largely

depends on what gear you choose to bring on each outing. Typically

backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. But remember the choice is

yours

Group Size

We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the

guide/instructor.

Trip length

5 days





Mileage

Approximately 12 miles along uneven slickrock terrain, including some

light scrambling and ladders over the course of the week.

Fitness Level

Our longest hike is 3 miles round trip over uneven and occasionally

steep slickrock terrain. Other hikes are up to 2 miles round trip and

require the ability to climb ladders and maneuver on steep, moderately

exposed sections of rock.

Meeting Time and Place

5pm on Day One at our hotel in Moab

Trip Conclusion

Moab, Utah. We can Drop you off at the Moab airport or predetermined

location in Moab in the late afternoon.

Price/Start Dates

See website for current dates/prices: Canyons of Utah: Arches &

Canyonlands

Accommodation

We will be staying in the now bustling ex-mining town of Moab, Utah.

Meals

Most meals are included during the trip dates and we typically eat at

park lodges in the evening as well as hand-picked local restaurants. We

often do snacks on the trail and then return for a late breakfast during

photography trips as we are often out early to capture the morning light.

Weather

Expect warm pleasant days and chilly nights. The weather is generally

very dry and stable in Utah however it can change on a moment’s

notice. Remember some of the best photographs are made before, during

and immediately after a storm cycle. There is no such thing as bad







weather just poor layering and gear choices – please plan accordingly!

For more info on what to bring please email or call us.

We recommend checking these weather links prior to your trip

departure to plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly.

Price Includes

Most meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip dates:

from the evening of Day One through the morning of Day Five,

professional photography instruction, park entrance fees, medically

certified wilderness guide, & gratuities for service personnel such as

drivers, pilots, captains as well as hotel & restaurant staff.

Price Does Not Include

Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip

dates, one meal on your own, souvenirs & trip leader gratuities

(industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your

experience)





Conditioning for Photography Trips

Always consult your physician before commencing with a workout

program.

If you are already in good shape you will likely not need to condition for

this tour. Unless you live at high altitude already you may need to

practice some light walking with your backpack and the boots or

walking shoes you plan on using for the tour. Begin by training with a

light backpack and walk every week. Make sure you are capable of

walking 3 miles in a week. Break it up if need be. Walk in ½-1-mile

increments, walking on relatively flat terrain is fine.

Please Note: The hikes are a critical part of this tour and are the only

way to see most of the features in the area. You can complete this tour

without any hiking, but it will eliminate about half of our proposed photo

locations from your trip, including some very unique arches!

The average elevation in Moab is 4,000 Feet, and some of our hikes will

be at over 6,000 feet! Proper pre-hydration shortly before your trip will

immensely improve your experience as well as others experience on the

tour, drink at least two liters of water per day as least 3 days before

your trip starts!

Lodging & Meals

Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include most

meals, lodging from day 1 through the morning of the last day of the

tour, ground transportation while on the tour, National Park entrance

fees, guide fees and other items essential to a successful trip – meaning

that once your there all you will have to focus on is your photography.

We can accommodate most special diets so please let us know if you

have any dietary restrictions.





Gear List This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read

through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.

Your clothing should be a system of layers that you add and subtract

according to the weather and temperature. A good pair of good synthetic

“Smartwool” type socks under sturdy boots works well. Clothing should

be light-weight nylon pants (maybe base-layers), a polypro shirt and

either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather

conditions change add insulating and waterproof layers to your base

setup. Don’t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator and

once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans!





Photo & Field Gear

Recommended Camera Gear:

• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic

etc.)

• Mid-range zoom lens (24–105mm zoom or equivalent)

• Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom)

• Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)

• Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for

hikes)

• Memory Cards

• Batteries & Chargers

• Filters such as a circular polarizer are a must.

• Lens cleaning pen & cloth

• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera

& hiking gear and have a rain cover)

• Camera Rain Sleeve

• Headlamp (This is a must for early morning starts and late-night

hikes back to the car!)

•

Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear:

• Back-Up Camera Body

• Medium length telephoto lens (70-200mm or equivalent)

• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed(for

personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour)

• External Hard Drives

• Remote Shutter Trigger

• Camera’s Instruction Manual





Suggested Field Gear & Clothing:

• Personal Field Clothing (think layers)

• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket

• Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or

lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night

• Warm Hat & Gloves

• Down Jacket (My favorite piece of gear in Moab!)

• “Softshell” Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket for

layering and protection from wind

• Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom)

• Shorts & T-Shirts for on the go during warmer months

• Wool Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)

• Brimmed Sun Hat

• Sunglasses

• Good walking or tennis shoes

• Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail

• Water Bottle or Hydration System (1-2 liters)

• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket

• Rain Pants

• Shooting Gloves

• Binoculars (optional)

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Knee pads (for low-angle shooting)

• Personal toiletries & medications

• Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally

10%20% of the trip cost based on your experience) and for any

personal expenses not included in the tour package such as

alcoholic beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc.

This is a general list. Please call with any questions!





Note on Packing for the tour: Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries,

extra camera gear, and other travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel

bag. You will not bring all your camera gear on every outing. Each

evening you will be briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to

carry the following day on the scheduled tour or outing.



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