2. Landscapes

Zion National Park, March 2013

Angel's Landing Trail and The Narrows Virgin River hike are in separate galleries, but the rest of Zion's images are here, as well as nearby Grafton Ghost Town, Springdale and two sites on the return to Salt Lake City.
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  • Waterfall at Lower Emerald Pool, Emerald Pools Trail.

    Waterfall at Lower Emerald Pool, Emerald Pools Trail.

  • The Watchman Mountain in Zion N.P., Utah. On the highway bridge over the Virgin River I stood shoulder to shoulder with numerous photographers at the most popular sunset photo spot in the park. One by one they left as the light faded. I took this one 18 minutes after sunset in near full darkness, and I was alone. It was the 83rd of 92 exposures and had the most colorful and well-balanced light of all. Aperture Priority, ten seconds, f6.7, ISO 200.

    The Watchman Mountain in Zion N.P., Utah. On the highway bridge over the Virgin River I stood shoulder to shoulder with numerous photographers at the most popular sunset photo spot in the park. One by one they left as the light faded. I took this one 18 minutes after sunset in near full darkness, and I was alone. It was the 83rd of 92 exposures and had the most colorful and well-balanced light of all. Aperture Priority, ten seconds, f6.7, ISO 200.

  • Sentinel Rock with the Virgin River in front. This was taken behind the second bus stop.

    Sentinel Rock with the Virgin River in front. This was taken behind the second bus stop.

  • A full moon saluted the park at sunset on the second night I was there.

    A full moon saluted the park at sunset on the second night I was there.

  • Angel's Landing in Zion is 1500 vertical feet of gut check. Even with safety chains there is a fatality every 20 months on average, making it one of the top five most dangerous hikes in America. A separate gallery covers the Angel's Landing hike in detail.

    Angel's Landing in Zion is 1500 vertical feet of gut check. Even with safety chains there is a fatality every 20 months on average, making it one of the top five most dangerous hikes in America. A separate gallery covers the Angel's Landing hike in detail.

  • Small waterfall along the Virgin River in Zion National Park with the Court of the Patriarchs in the distance.

    Small waterfall along the Virgin River in Zion National Park with the Court of the Patriarchs in the distance.

  • If you only tour Zion for the inside of a car or bus you miss a lot. This is on a hike on the West Rim Trail that leads to the upper rim.

    If you only tour Zion for the inside of a car or bus you miss a lot. This is on a hike on the West Rim Trail that leads to the upper rim.

  • Hikers traveling on the Zion National park road near the back of the park. The Great White Throne mountain is at right with its top clipped out of the photo. Even a 10MM wide angle cannot span the vast verticals of Zion.

    Hikers traveling on the Zion National park road near the back of the park. The Great White Throne mountain is at right with its top clipped out of the photo. Even a 10MM wide angle cannot span the vast verticals of Zion.

  • Huge rock formation that shrouds and wraps around Upper Emerald Pool as seen from the approach trail.

    Huge rock formation that shrouds and wraps around Upper Emerald Pool as seen from the approach trail.

  • A 91 second exposure at 1:00AM lights up the land using only the light from a full moon. Zion National Park.

    A 91 second exposure at 1:00AM lights up the land using only the light from a full moon. Zion National Park.

  • I was chapped to find that due to very high traffic the buses started running a week early which banned all personal vehicles in the Park. This limited my photo plans because I could not carry all the daily gear I needed on the bus. But it kept people out of the park in early AM due to reduced flow, which had its own benefits.

    I was chapped to find that due to very high traffic the buses started running a week early which banned all personal vehicles in the Park. This limited my photo plans because I could not carry all the daily gear I needed on the bus. But it kept people out of the park in early AM due to reduced flow, which had its own benefits.

  • Court of the Patriarchs.

    Court of the Patriarchs.

  • Morning rises on the Towers of the Virgin Mountain Range including the Altar of Sacrifice, at right, in Zion National Park, March 2013. This is the view from the porch behind the Human History Museum.

    Morning rises on the Towers of the Virgin Mountain Range including the Altar of Sacrifice, at right, in Zion National Park, March 2013. This is the view from the porch behind the Human History Museum.

  • Early morning light on the West Rim Trail with today's destination, Angel's Landing, looming in the distance. This entire Utah trip was inspired by today's challenge which is covered in a separate photo gallery.

    Early morning light on the West Rim Trail with today's destination, Angel's Landing, looming in the distance. This entire Utah trip was inspired by today's challenge which is covered in a separate photo gallery.

  • A climber checks on a partner below. Zion National Park. The next photo shows 3 more climbers and a wider angle .

    A climber checks on a partner below. Zion National Park. The next photo shows 3 more climbers and a wider angle .

  • Look for 4 climbers shown here working an established path up this rock face in Zion. This is just before the next to last bus stop deep in the park.

    Look for 4 climbers shown here working an established path up this rock face in Zion. This is just before the next to last bus stop deep in the park.

  • Zion National Park. Darkness falls on the Virgin River from the bridge that heads to Springdale, Utah (behind camera).

    Zion National Park. Darkness falls on the Virgin River from the bridge that heads to Springdale, Utah (behind camera).

  • Immature Bighorn Sheep along main entrance road from the East Portal. Zion National Park. Distance was about 40 yards.

    Immature Bighorn Sheep along main entrance road from the East Portal. Zion National Park. Distance was about 40 yards.

  • A young Bighorn Sheep along the Mount Carmel Highway main east entrance road to Zion N.P.

    A young Bighorn Sheep along the Mount Carmel Highway main east entrance road to Zion N.P.

  • A time exposure taken around 11PM in Grafton Ghost Town a few miles from Zion National Park, March 2013. Moonlight shows the landscape while a hand held spotlight illuminates the old livestock shed.

    A time exposure taken around 11PM in Grafton Ghost Town a few miles from Zion National Park, March 2013. Moonlight shows the landscape while a hand held spotlight illuminates the old livestock shed.

  • Strata layers in Zion National Park show as much character as anywhere in Utah. Along the East Portal access road.

    Strata layers in Zion National Park show as much character as anywhere in Utah. Along the East Portal access road.

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    Hikers traveling on the Zion National park road near the back of the park. The Great White Throne mountain is at right with its top clipped out of the photo. Even a 10MM wide angle cannot span the vast verticals of Zion.
    Huge rock formation that shrouds and wraps around Upper Emerald Pool as seen from the approach trail.
    A 91 second exposure at 1:00AM lights up the land using only the light from a full moon. Zion National Park.