Sunrise in Monument Valley

Hi Bill,

Bill Hilton wrote:
You can drive the 17 mile road inside the valley once the gates open

I keep hearing that the 17mile
loop is "only for 4x4s" - is that right?

It's always been OK for passenger cars unless there was a heavy storm recently
and the road got rutted or washed out. Usually the first couple of turns at
the start are the worst, just drive slow so you don't bottom out. After that
it's not bad at all. I've heard of people bottoming out and puncturing their
oil pans on that first section so be careful at the start.

Thanks.

Any tips for pictures like the one of "Slot Canyon - Walls of Fire" etc?

Antelope Canyon (lower part, not upper) near Page, which is about 90 minutes to
2 hours west/northwest of Monument Valley. I wouldn't go in the slot canyons
this time of year due to the chances of flash flooding, but if you feel lucky
then go early and leave by noon and only on a very clear, cloudless day.
Afternoons typically get the storm buildup. Eleven people drowned in there a
few years ago during a flash flood even though the sky was clear above them.

I think this will have to wait for this time as our direction from
Monument Valley will be east ;-)

Have a good trip!

Thanks.

Martin

Hi Bill,

Bill Hilton wrote:
At sunrise you can only go to the parking lot area unless you have a guide and
sign up for a sunrise tour. You can still get some decent shots of the famous
Mittens backlit at sunrise but the light on them is much better later,
especially at sunset.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. We made it in time for sunset,
however that day the light wasn't the best one could wish for ;-) The
next morning was gorgeous, but I agree not the best for photograpgy. I
haven't seen my pictures yet, so I'm still hoping for the best ;-).

Martin

Hi Bill,

Bill Hilton wrote:
At sunrise you can only go to the parking lot area unless you have a guide and
sign up for a sunrise tour. You can still get some decent shots of the famous
Mittens backlit at sunrise but the light on them is much better later,
especially at sunset.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. We made it in time for sunset,
however that day the light wasn't the best one could wish for ;-) The
next morning was gorgeous, but I agree not the best for photograpgy. I
haven't seen my pictures yet, so I'm still hoping for the best ;-).

Martin

In article qzCUc.36782$TI1.26399@attbi_s52,
Martin Djernaes wrote:

I'm going to Monument Valley and plan to try to take some sunrise
pictures, but since I can only stay a day there I would like to have an
idea about where I should be to get a good "typical" picture of the buttes?

Does anyone a few tips as to where in the valley I should go?


You could do worse than picking up a copy of "Monument Valley -- the
Story behind the Scenery" (KC Pubs, $8 or so), which is filled with
Josef Muench's classic MV fotos. Lots of cool MV/Muench lore, too.
http://www.silcom.com/~manatee/muench_monument.html

And don't miss the Goosenecks of the San Juan, nearby. For that matter,
a Navajo taco at the cafe in Mexican Hat is de rigeur for any proper MV
visit.

Cheers -- Pete Tillman

In article qzCUc.36782$TI1.26399@attbi_s52,
Martin Djernaes wrote:

I'm going to Monument Valley and plan to try to take some sunrise
pictures, but since I can only stay a day there I would like to have an
idea about where I should be to get a good "typical" picture of the buttes?

Does anyone a few tips as to where in the valley I should go?


You could do worse than picking up a copy of "Monument Valley -- the
Story behind the Scenery" (KC Pubs, $8 or so), which is filled with
Josef Muench's classic MV fotos. Lots of cool MV/Muench lore, too.
http://www.silcom.com/~manatee/muench_monument.html

And don't miss the Goosenecks of the San Juan, nearby. For that matter,
a Navajo taco at the cafe in Mexican Hat is de rigeur for any proper MV
visit.

Cheers -- Pete Tillman

In article qzCUc.36782$TI1.26399@attbi_s52,
Martin Djernaes wrote:

I'm going to Monument Valley and plan to try to take some sunrise
pictures, but since I can only stay a day there I would like to have an
idea about where I should be to get a good "typical" picture of the buttes?

Does anyone a few tips as to where in the valley I should go?


You could do worse than picking up a copy of "Monument Valley -- the
Story behind the Scenery" (KC Pubs, $8 or so), which is filled with
Josef Muench's classic MV fotos. Lots of cool MV/Muench lore, too.
http://www.silcom.com/~manatee/muench_monument.html

And don't miss the Goosenecks of the San Juan, nearby. For that matter,
a Navajo taco at the cafe in Mexican Hat is de rigeur for any proper MV
visit.

Cheers -- Pete Tillman

Having done the trip, I'd recommend signing up for one of the Indian guided
photo tours, which start before dawn. The best sunrise shots seem to be in
areas not available to the public in self-quided areas of the Valley. The
guides generally know what you want and make a real effort to deliver the
best locations and lighting. When I did this a few years ago, we got from
dawn to late morning for $40/person and added a $10/person tip for the
excellent service provided.

Also, the guides provide a vehicle, since many of these areas cannot be
navigated without a 4-wheel drive SUV or truck. Several services have
websites to describe the service, make reservations, etc.

"Peter D. Tillman" wrote in message
...
In article qzCUc.36782$TI1.26399@attbi_s52,
Martin Djernaes wrote:

I'm going to Monument Valley and plan to try to take some sunrise
pictures, but since I can only stay a day there I would like to have an
idea about where I should be to get a good "typical" picture of the
buttes?

Does anyone a few tips as to where in the valley I should go?


You could do worse than picking up a copy of "Monument Valley -- the
Story behind the Scenery" (KC Pubs, $8 or so), which is filled with
Josef Muench's classic MV fotos. Lots of cool MV/Muench lore, too.
http://www.silcom.com/~manatee/muench_monument.html

And don't miss the Goosenecks of the San Juan, nearby. For that matter,
a Navajo taco at the cafe in Mexican Hat is de rigeur for any proper MV
visit.

Cheers -- Pete Tillman

Having done the trip, I'd recommend signing up for one of the Indian guided
photo tours, which start before dawn. The best sunrise shots seem to be in
areas not available to the public in self-quided areas of the Valley. The
guides generally know what you want and make a real effort to deliver the
best locations and lighting. When I did this a few years ago, we got from
dawn to late morning for $40/person and added a $10/person tip for the
excellent service provided.

Also, the guides provide a vehicle, since many of these areas cannot be
navigated without a 4-wheel drive SUV or truck. Several services have
websites to describe the service, make reservations, etc.

"Peter D. Tillman" wrote in message
...
In article qzCUc.36782$TI1.26399@attbi_s52,
Martin Djernaes wrote:

I'm going to Monument Valley and plan to try to take some sunrise
pictures, but since I can only stay a day there I would like to have an
idea about where I should be to get a good "typical" picture of the
buttes?

Does anyone a few tips as to where in the valley I should go?


You could do worse than picking up a copy of "Monument Valley -- the
Story behind the Scenery" (KC Pubs, $8 or so), which is filled with
Josef Muench's classic MV fotos. Lots of cool MV/Muench lore, too.
http://www.silcom.com/~manatee/muench_monument.html

And don't miss the Goosenecks of the San Juan, nearby. For that matter,
a Navajo taco at the cafe in Mexican Hat is de rigeur for any proper MV
visit.

Cheers -- Pete Tillman

Hi,

Randy Stewart wrote:

Having done the trip, I'd recommend signing up for one of the Indian guided
photo tours, which start before dawn. The best sunrise shots seem to be in
areas not available to the public in self-quided areas of the Valley. The
guides generally know what you want and make a real effort to deliver the
best locations and lighting. When I did this a few years ago, we got from
dawn to late morning for $40/person and added a $10/person tip for the
excellent service provided.

Well .. I'm back again and I didn't do any guided tours, but maybe next
time though. The view in the morning, from the vistor center /
campground, was nothing less than spectacular. I'm sure that guided turs
is worth the money, but it was also really nice to see (and photograph)
what was there. The place is probably one of the most beautiful I have
seen in a long time.

Martin

Hi,

Randy Stewart wrote:

Having done the trip, I'd recommend signing up for one of the Indian guided
photo tours, which start before dawn. The best sunrise shots seem to be in
areas not available to the public in self-quided areas of the Valley. The
guides generally know what you want and make a real effort to deliver the
best locations and lighting. When I did this a few years ago, we got from
dawn to late morning for $40/person and added a $10/person tip for the
excellent service provided.

Well .. I'm back again and I didn't do any guided tours, but maybe next
time though. The view in the morning, from the vistor center /
campground, was nothing less than spectacular. I'm sure that guided turs
is worth the money, but it was also really nice to see (and photograph)
what was there. The place is probably one of the most beautiful I have
seen in a long time.

Martin