Join me for this exciting trip to two of Utah's five National Parks.  Arches National Park is a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other in the world. In addition to natural stone arches, the Park has hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. Nearby, the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park offers magnificent viewpoints of rugged canyons.  Low light pollution and excellent air quality at the Parks will provide excellent opportunities to photograph skies full of stars.  

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We will caravan to each location during the day (and night); carpooling to these destinations with other participants will depend upon current Covid conditions and your own comfort level.   We will be at 5500 to 7000 feet of elevation. While many of our photo locations will be near our vehicles, there will be some hiking. The hike to Delicate Arch, for example, will be about 3 miles round trip with about 500 ft. of elevation gain. Each person needs to be in good physical condition and capable of walking on uneven terrain.

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I have chosen this time for a workshop because of the lack of crowds and the great weather for hiking.  When scouting out these locations, I had several areas all to myself in the mornings and evenings. 

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Our accommodations will be at the Element in Moab, perfectly located at the north end of town with easy access to the Parks.  

DETAILS:

Dates:   December 5-9, 2022
Location: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Maximum participants: 8

Minimum participants: 5
 

Cost: Per person $900, double occupancy (single supplement $300)

Deposit: $200 per person to reserve a spot. 

Trip Details

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Just north of Moab, Utah, we find two National Parks with a landscape full of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other in the world. In addition to natural stone arches, these Parks have hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, giant balanced rocks, and magnificent viewpoints of rugged canyons. 

 

Participants and Staffing

Maximum Participants................................................... 8

Minimum Participants.................................................... 5

Number of Staff included in pricing. ............................2

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5-Day Program, Element, Moab, Utah

Double Occupancy (6-12 pax)............................... $900

Single Supplement................................................... $300

 

 Costs Included in Pricing

• All accommodations as outlined in the itinerary

• All guided visits and instruction throughout the program

• Comprehensive pre-trip notes and materials

• Daily tours and instruction with Photographer                                                                                                                throughout the tour

 

Costs Not Included in Pricing

• Transportation to and in Parks

• Travel and trip cancellation insurance

• Meals 

• Park entrance fees

• Items of a personal nature

• Anything not explicitly listed as included

 

Proposed Itinerary___________________________________________________________

 

Day 1

 

• Travel day to Moab.  We will plan to meet at the Element at 2:00 pm

• Check in to the hotel

• We will head into Arches National Park at 3:00 pm for our first photo session.  Sunset is 4:57 pm

• Dinner in Moab

• Weather permitting – if the skies are clear, there will be an optional excursion to photograph the night sky before we head back to Moab for dinner

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Accommodations:        Element, Moab

 

Days 2 through 4

• Sunrise is about 7:20 am.  Photographers will be leaving at 5:30 to 6:00 to get to our destination and set up in advance of the rising sun

• Destinations will depend on weather conditions, but will include iconic Arches and Canyonlands viewpoints like Mesa Arch, Delicate Arch, Dead Horse Point, Double Arch, Turret Arch and Balanced Rock.  We will have a briefing the evening before each morning with details about the next day. 

• After sunrise, we will explore the areas around the morning destination, looking for unique hiking, photography and nature opportunities

• Return to Moab for lunch

• We will depart for our evening photography destination between 2:00 and 3:00, depending on the location, arriving in time to set up and enjoy the last light of the day.  Sunset is around 4:55.

• Return to the Lodge for dinner

• Weather permitting – if the skies are clear, there will be an optional excursion to photograph the night sky before we head back to Moab for dinner

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Accommodations:        Element, Moab

 

Day 5

• Final early morning photography shoot.  The destination will depend on the weather and where we were able to explore the previous days

• After sunrise, there will be an option to explore the areas around the morning destination, looking for unique hiking, photography and nature opportunities

• We will return to the Lodge by 11am to retrieve our luggage and have lunch before leaving Moab

• For those looking for other interesting sites in the region, we will have suggestions to extend your trip.  

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Tour notes:

 

We will be staying at the Element on the North side of Moab.  This hotel gives us good access to the two National Parks, and is close to downtown Moab for meals.  

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To capture the best light for photography, we will be leaving the hotel each morning before breakfast.  You should take advantage of the refrigerator and microwave and coffee maker in the room for breakfast.  It is advisable to pack your own breakfast foods for the four mornings at the hotel. 

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Suggested Equipment:

 

• Digital SLR camera or interchangeable-lens mirrorless camera

• Sturdy and reliable tripod

• You’ll need at least one lens. The “kit lens” that came with your camera (most likely an 18-55mm) will be fine

• Bring any other lenses that you own (a variety of focal lengths is always helpful)

• Laptop

• Memory Card Reader

• Flash drive

• Spare batteries for equipment (especially for your camera)

• Extra memory cards

• Camera manual

• Camera bag or backpack

• Note taking materials

• Cable release or wireless remote

• Camera and lens cleaning supplies

• Polarizer

 

Optional Equipment:

 

• Filters (split neutral density, neutral density)

• Lens shades for all lenses

• Professional air blower for sensor cleaning (eg. rocket blower)

• Camera & lens cleaning supplies

• Ground cloth, cushion or knee pads

• Camera rain cover if your camera and lens are not water resistant

 

Personal Items:

 

• Weatherproof clothing that can be layered underneath for warmth

• Medium to heavy jacket

• Sturdy footwear for walking on uneven ground or trails

• Sun protection – hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm

• Water bottle

• Snacks for between meals in the field

• Travel alarm clock and wristwatch – or smartphone with an alarm

• Pocket sized flashlight or headlamp

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Guide

 

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