IntrepidXJ
ADVENTR
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2012
- Messages
- 3,480
Friday - Sunday, March 29-31, 2013
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
I've driven past Monument Valley many times in the past but have never actually stopped in the park before. I decided to spend all day Saturday at the park so that I could photograph the Mitten Shadow at sunset. Since that was my main goal this trip, I'll start this report with the photo I was after. Twice a year the West Mitten casts it's shadow onto the East Mitten just before sunset and it's something that I've wanted to try and photograph for a while. There were a lot of clouds on the western horizon at sunset and I almost thought it wasn't going to happen this time, but the sun did peek out for a few seconds which gave me just enough time to capture the image below. I'd say it was a successful evening!
Mitten Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Now let's go back in time to the previous evening when I left work and drove down to the Valley of the Gods to setup camp just as twilight was fading. I quickly went to bed so that I was up in time to catch the sunrise on Saturday morning.
Saturday morning at my campsite as the sun came up.
Morning Jeep by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Since Monument Valley doesn't open up until well after sunset this time of the year I drove the Valley of the Gods loop road after breaking down my camp. The moon was out this morning...
Reach for the Moon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The drive to Monument Valley.
The Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After paying my fee to enter the park I drove the loop dirt road to checkout the park before the crowds showed up for the day.
A view of the Three Sisters from the road.
Three Sisters by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Nice view from the North Window Overlook.
North Window Overlook by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After taking my time completing the loop road I headed over to the closed campground and hiked the Wildcat Trail which loops around the West Mitten. It was a nice hike.
Wildcat Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Later in the afternoon I looked up and saw this sun halo above.
Sun Halo by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Nice clouds over a typical view of Monument Valley from the Visitor Center.
Visitor Center View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
While waiting for sunset with a friend that showed up, we wandered down to this tree and I liked the shadow it was casting on the ground.
Framed Mittens by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Sunset getting closer... You can just barely see the shadow of the West Mitten starting to creek up the East Mitten in this shot.
The Mittens by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When the sun was down I headed back to the same campsite in the Valley of the Gods and got back to sleep after reading for a while. The following morning I was up and driving the Valley of the Gods loop road again as the sun came up.
Morning Drive by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Valley of the Gods by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I reached the highway I turned right and climbed up the Moki Dugway to the top of Cedar Mesa so I could visit and photograph a new ruin.
It's a small circular granary tucked in the back of a larger alcove. Very cool!
Portal Alcove by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
There were a few handprints nearby, too.
Muddy Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This was a fun one to photograph...here's two different views.
Portal by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Ancient Portal by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I spent quite a bit of time at this location and then explored a few nearby roads in my Jeep before starting the drive home. It was another nice weekend.
>> Monument Valley Photo Gallery
Feature image for home page:
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
I've driven past Monument Valley many times in the past but have never actually stopped in the park before. I decided to spend all day Saturday at the park so that I could photograph the Mitten Shadow at sunset. Since that was my main goal this trip, I'll start this report with the photo I was after. Twice a year the West Mitten casts it's shadow onto the East Mitten just before sunset and it's something that I've wanted to try and photograph for a while. There were a lot of clouds on the western horizon at sunset and I almost thought it wasn't going to happen this time, but the sun did peek out for a few seconds which gave me just enough time to capture the image below. I'd say it was a successful evening!
Mitten Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Now let's go back in time to the previous evening when I left work and drove down to the Valley of the Gods to setup camp just as twilight was fading. I quickly went to bed so that I was up in time to catch the sunrise on Saturday morning.
Saturday morning at my campsite as the sun came up.
Morning Jeep by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Since Monument Valley doesn't open up until well after sunset this time of the year I drove the Valley of the Gods loop road after breaking down my camp. The moon was out this morning...
Reach for the Moon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The drive to Monument Valley.
The Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After paying my fee to enter the park I drove the loop dirt road to checkout the park before the crowds showed up for the day.
A view of the Three Sisters from the road.
Three Sisters by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Nice view from the North Window Overlook.
North Window Overlook by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After taking my time completing the loop road I headed over to the closed campground and hiked the Wildcat Trail which loops around the West Mitten. It was a nice hike.
Wildcat Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Later in the afternoon I looked up and saw this sun halo above.
Sun Halo by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Nice clouds over a typical view of Monument Valley from the Visitor Center.
Visitor Center View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
While waiting for sunset with a friend that showed up, we wandered down to this tree and I liked the shadow it was casting on the ground.
Framed Mittens by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Sunset getting closer... You can just barely see the shadow of the West Mitten starting to creek up the East Mitten in this shot.
The Mittens by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When the sun was down I headed back to the same campsite in the Valley of the Gods and got back to sleep after reading for a while. The following morning I was up and driving the Valley of the Gods loop road again as the sun came up.
Morning Drive by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Valley of the Gods by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I reached the highway I turned right and climbed up the Moki Dugway to the top of Cedar Mesa so I could visit and photograph a new ruin.
It's a small circular granary tucked in the back of a larger alcove. Very cool!
Portal Alcove by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
There were a few handprints nearby, too.
Muddy Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This was a fun one to photograph...here's two different views.
Portal by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Ancient Portal by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I spent quite a bit of time at this location and then explored a few nearby roads in my Jeep before starting the drive home. It was another nice weekend.
>> Monument Valley Photo Gallery
Feature image for home page:
