Dan Ransom has spent some time in DV and has been knonw to a take a photo or two every now and again. I would harass him for some locations.
If you talking main canyon...the bridge on the main drag looking down canyon is all I really know. If you plan on hiking pre-dawn angels landing or observation point seem like the classics. I always strike out on Zion sunrises/sunset but maybe if you define your range we can help out a bit more.
We'll be staying at the Watchman campground Saturday and Sunday night's (Oct 6/7). I've seen some beautiful shots of the sun setting and lighting up the Watchman with the river in the foreground, presumably from a bridge (is that the same one you're talking about?)
Torroweap looks pretty killer but I think you might be talking about the lodge area?
We're camping at the north rim campground. Torroweap would be awesome, though I'm not sure I want to take the rental out there. Definitely on 'the list' for future visits.
The bend is pretty sweet but it can be pretty busy. Of my 4 visits last year only once did it really go off. Hope your not scared of heights! I know theres a "second wave" like wall near waterholes canyon and 89. With a little googling you should be able to find it and I think you need a hiking permit.
I got a decent shot from the bend in Jan 2011
Definitely want to check it out again, I love the view and the heights. Water Holes Canyon seems like a cool thing to check out that doesn't normally get visited.
I stopped by once and couldn't find a comp (close to the road) that wasn't covered with ATV tracks. A lot of my flickr contacts have taken shots there but I always see ATV tracks in the sand and it bugs me.
We checked it out shortly after sunrise in Jan 2011 on our way back from our quick trip out to the Wave/Page, and it was pretty good, I wasn't blown away by it, but my friend would like to check it out if we can. I think Valley of Fire is more worthy of another visit if we can get there in time. There weren't any ATV tracks when we were there which was cool.
Never been been but I've seen some awesome shots,
IntrepidXJ has a trip report around here somewhere.
I stopped by on our way out in 2010 and our way back in in 2011 not for a long time either time, but it is a beautiful park. I got a decent shot of the
Fire Wave after sunset last January.
Thanks for the ideas!
Not sure where yours saying around Page area if your camping or hoteling it but you could camp out on Alstrom Point. I was looking at doing that next month but don't think its going to fit into our plans.
We'll be crashing in a hotel for two nights after coming from the Grand Canyon. I definitely want to do Alstrom Point, but I don't think it'll fit our plans either at this point. It's also on my list!.
the classics in death valley if it is a day trip are zabriskie point for sunrise and badwater at sunset - easily done from vegas. a lot of the other "goods" are remote and would eat up a day trip from vegas way too quickly. gonna be a long day though!
dantes view is cool at sunrise or sunset too, and it's easy to get to.
Looks like, if we can make it in at time (depending on how quick we get our butts going from Vegas), Zabriskie or Dantes would be great. What are your thoughts on Mesquite Sand Dunes, Mosaic Canyon and/or Artists Palate? Worth checking out?
Thanks for chiming in, guys!