Utah/Arizona Canyons etc.

[Dragonspeed]

Back in 2015, I went on a road trip, encompassing Zion, Bryce, Antelope and Grand Canyons with Horseshoe Bend and Coyote Buttes thrown in for good measure. Also got to Valley of Fire State Park, since Las Vegas was the start/end of our loop.

The scenery is truly beautiful!

The whole trip album is here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/albums/72157650940839977/

 

[Dragonspeed]

Zion National Park

Zion Canyon from the Overlook by Brian Hampson, on Flickr


Sheer White Cliffs of Zion and Green Trees of the valley by Brian Hampson, on Flickr

 

[Dragonspeed]

Bryce Canyon National Park

Panoramic View of Bryce Canyon by Brian Hampson, on Flickr


Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon by Brian Hampson, on Flickr

/

 

[Dragonspeed]

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon - Wow! by Brian Hampson, on Flickr


Lower Antelope Canyon - Wow! by Brian Hampson, on Flickr

 

[Dragonspeed]

Horseshoe Bend

The different moods of Horseshoe Bend by Brian Hampson, on Flickr


The different moods of Horseshoe Bend by Brian Hampson, on Flickr

 

[Dragonspeed]

Coyote Buttes South and White Pocket

Coyote Buttes South by Brian Hampson, on Flickr


Twisted Beauty of White Pocket by Brian Hampson, on Flickr

 

[Dragonspeed]

Grand Canyon - White Out in Snowstorm - no pics lol.

 

[Dragonspeed]

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire - The FireWave by Brian Hampson, on Flickr


Valley of Fire - The FireWave by Brian Hampson, on Flickr

 

[sparker1]

Lower Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona

 

[Dragonspeed]

Lower Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona
View attachment 36647View attachment 36649

Did you do the "photographers' tour"?

 

[sparker1]

Did you do the "photographers' tour"?

I've been through Lower three times. This was the first and there was no photographer's tour at that time. I went in by myself and saw no one else for nearly four hours when I was leaving. This was March, 2006. Upper required a "tour" then and Lower does now. My last visit was 2017 and reservation and guide were required, there were hundreds of people. Not like the old days, but still worth it. Tripods weren't allowed, pump up the ISO.

 

[Dragonspeed]

I've been through Lower three times. This was the first and there was no photographer's tour at that time. I went in by myself and saw no one else for nearly four hours when I was leaving. This was March, 2006. Upper required a "tour" then and Lower does now. My last visit was 2017 and reservation and guide were required, there were hundreds of people. Not like the old days, but still worth it. Tripods weren't allowed, pump up the ISO.

When we went in 2015 (March - low season) we caught the end of the day. My friend and I were the only two on the photographers' tour. It was supposed to be 2 hours, but ended up 2.5 hours. We had 3 or 4 groups of "regular" tours that passed us as we worked our way down the canyon. Having the guide was helpful, as there were angles that she knew would produce good shots, which I would have otherwise missed.

The time was wrong to get the shafts of light, but we didn't care.... it was a beautiful experience.

 

[joayne]

I was in the Lower in 1993 and took a photographers tour. When it was time to go, the tour guide asked if I wanted to stay as there would be another ride back to Page in a couple of hours. I stayed and was there for a good two hours alone with my friend. It was amazing.

 

[sparker1]

Upper Antelope Canyon, Arizona. My only visit to this canyon, a tour was required.

 

[Dragonspeed]

Upper Antelope Canyon, Arizona. My only visit to this canyon, a tour was required.
View attachment 37501View attachment 37502

Did you find Upper NICER than lower or about the same?

 

[Dragonspeed]

Another from Coyote Buttes South

Coyote Buttes South - Revisited by Brian Hampson, on Flickr

 

[Maureen Souza]

Antelope Canyon

 

[Dragonspeed]

Antelope CanyonView attachment 37580View attachment 37581

Nice - the right time of day! I'm guessing they threw the sand up in the air for the picture?

 

[sparker1]

Did you find Upper NICER than lower or about the same?

I like Lower much better, although Upper is nice enough. Lower is longer, sloped, more curves, etc. I've done Lower three times, Upper once.

 

[Maureen Souza]

Nice - the right time of day! I'm guessing they threw the sand up in the air

Yes. I booked a photography tour which cost a bit more but it allowed me to take my tripod in and have time to do the photos without all the regular looky-loos to wander around. I think my “ghost” picture came out better than the one Peter Lik is famous for.
I also liked the Lower Canyon much better.