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Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 1
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands
“What draws us into the desert is the search for something intimate in
the remote.”
- Edward Abbey
Pricing, Dates & Booking
For current pricing, trip dates
& online reservations please
see our website.
Trip Packets
Our PDF Trip Packets are being
updated all the time. Ensure you
have the most recent version by
clicking here.
Last Published: April 7, 2020
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 2
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Overview
Odds are good, that when you think of the southwestern United States,
images conjured up are from the Moab area of southeastern Utah.
Famous for arches, towers and canyons, there is no shortage of incredible
scenery to behold here. Home to two National Parks, along with an
additional 1.8 million acres of BLM managed public lands, the
opportunities for iconic and unique photos are truly endless. Vast
expanses of red rock go on as far as the eye can see, and the nearby La
Sal Mountains make for a beautiful backdrop for many compositions.
This is truly a wonderful place, a must on any landscape photographer’s
‘bucket list.’
On this five day hiking and vehicle-based photo tour you will have the
opportunity to photograph some of Utah’s most iconic landscapes, and
even some lesser known gems few know about. Look forward to locations
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 3
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
such at Delicate, Mesa, and Landscape Arches, among others. Your
knowledgeable photo guide will ensure that you are in position to
photograph these mesmerizing features during best light at each
location.
We’ll want to photograph almost exclusively during sunrise or sunset, so
this trip will have many early mornings and some late evenings. We’ll
stay busy on this fabulous itinerary, with afternoon hikes and
sightseeing built in!
Join Backcountry Journeys for an exploration of Arches & Canyonlands
National Parks and find yourself – and your lens – immersed in the
world’s most unforgettable desert landscape.
Highlights
• Photograph iconic landscapes such as Mesa Arch and Delicate
Arch
• Intentional focus on shooting during golden hour twice daily
• Opportunities to shoot lesser known features of the Moab area
• Small Groups
• Top-notch meals
• Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 4
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Noteworthy Travel Logistics • This trip begins & ends in Moab, Utah at the
Homewood Suites By Hilton Moab*
132 N. Main Street, Moab, UT 84532
Phone: 435-259-7000
*Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted.
If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us.
• You can contact these local shuttle services for transportation between
the Moab airport and Homewood Suites: http://airporthopper.us/
https://moabtrailtaxi.com
https://www.canyonlandsshuttle.com/services
• You can arrive at any time on Day One of the tour as long as you
arrive in time for the 5pm orientation meeting that evening.
• We should be back in Moab sometime in the early afternoon on the
last day of the tour.
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 5
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day One (Travel Day) (D)
Arrive in Moab, Utah. Please meet in the lobby of our hotel at 5pm for
an orientation and welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day Two (B,L,D)
This morning will be our earliest of the week as we head to the Islands
in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park to capture perhaps
one of the most iconic desert landscape photos in Utah. Sunrise at Mesa
Arch is an incredible experience and should be on every landscape
photographer’s bucket list. We’ll photograph this icon as the sun crests
the horizon, making for stunning images of the arch, canyons and rock
features below with the La Sal Mountain range on the horizon,
complete with a Starburst. We’ll remain here following sunrise as the
arch provides a “surprise” to those willing to wait for a while a while. As
the golden hues fade from underneath the arch, we will pack up and
head back to Moab for a short break until lunch.
Following lunch, we’ll set out for Arches National Park, and an
afternoon hike to Sand and Broken Arches. Here, we’ll be immersed in
the geology of the park as we stretch our legs and photograph the two
arches, fins and other features that dot the landscape here.
Directly after our hike we’ll press on to our evening’s sunset shot,
Balanced Arch. This is one of the most iconic features in the Park, and
also one of the most photographed. We’ll photograph Balanced Rock
from a spot most don’t. As the sun has fully set and we capture the last
bit of glow, we’ll return to Moab for a delicious dinner at a carefully
selected local restaurant before retiring for the evening.
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 6
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Day Three (B,L,D)
We will depart our hotel early this morning, heading for nearby Castle
Valley. Here, in the foothills of the La Sal Mountains, we’ll find
Castleton Tower and the adjacent ridgeline known as the Rectory.
These rock features have been seen in television and film for years and
have become uber famous in the rock-climbing community, as well. As
optimal light fades, we will head back towards town, stopping along the
Colorado River at different vantage points as the great river carves its
way through the towering canyon walls.
We’ll have brunch at our hotel and break shortly to rest up before
heading out for our afternoon activities. We’ll either hike or check out
Newspaper Rock and have a picnic along the way.
This evening we’ll head back towards Canyonlands, and the Island in
the Sky District, where we’ll find a few late afternoon vantage points
overlooking the famed Shafer Canyon before settling in for our sunset
shot of the expansive system of canyons below our perch up high on the
cliffs. We’ll soak it all up as the setting sun turns the rock features and
canyons below a fiery red. Upon our return to Moab, we’ll dine at one of
Moab’s most famous restaurants before heading back to our wonderful
hotel for some much-needed rest.
Day Four (B,D)
Today is all about Arches National Park. The ‘Windows’ section of the
Park offers a stunning selection of rock features. Turret Arch is viewed
by many as perhaps the best sunrise spot in the Park. The angle of this
dynamite feature positions it perfectly to catch the glow of the morning
sun as it crests the horizon. We’ll find a nice choice of compositions
here.
When we’ve had our fill, we’ll check out nearby Double Arch and the
Parade of Elephants before moving on to Park Avenue, an area (and
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 7
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
possible short hike) that is a perfect spot to continue our discussion on
the geology of the rock features here at Arches.
We’ll take this afternoon off to provide time for you to see and
experience the town of Moab, as well as get some rest and relaxation
before the most physically challenging evening of our tour.
We will likely get a mid-afternoon start in order to head back into
Arches National Park, this time to shoot Delicate Arch at sunset. The
arch is 1.5 miles (3 miles roundtrip) from the road, so we will have to
hike with all of our equipment over a moderate trail of slickrock. Bring
a headlamp, as typically the best views of this magical location are after
the sun has just dipped below the horizon, lighting up the La Sal
mountain range in the background.
Day Five (B)
Our final shot will be at the Devil’s Garden section of Arches National
Park, and the famous and enormous Landscape Arch. We’ll have a
nearly 1-mile hike to get to the arch, which stretches roughly 300 feet!
Landscape Arch is the largest natural span in the Western Hemisphere,
and this thin sliver of free-standing rock is a sight to behold as it seems
to defy gravity and time. Once we’re satisfied with our sunrise images,
we’ll check out neighboring arches as we hike back towards our vehicle.
Back in Moab we’ll have brunch at a local coffee shop, reveling in the
successes of our time together before saying goodbye after a wonderful
tour of the Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks.
Please Note: The exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be
based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure
we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects.
Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods,
forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of
wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or
specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 8
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Details
Physical Requirements
All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability
to walk up to 3 miles in one outing with camera equipment and
essential hiking gear. For example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen,
water and extra layers (if necessary). The weight of your pack largely
depends on what gear you choose to bring on each outing. Typically
backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. But remember the choice is
yours
Group Size
We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the
guide/instructor.
Trip length
5 days
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 9
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Mileage
Approximately 12 miles along uneven slickrock terrain, including some
light scrambling and ladders over the course of the week.
Fitness Level
Our longest hike is 3 miles round trip over uneven and occasionally
steep slickrock terrain. Other hikes are up to 2 miles round trip and
require the ability to climb ladders and maneuver on steep, moderately
exposed sections of rock.
Meeting Time and Place
5pm on Day One at our hotel in Moab
Trip Conclusion
Moab, Utah. We can Drop you off at the Moab airport or predetermined
location in Moab in the late afternoon.
Price/Start Dates
See website for current dates/prices: Canyons of Utah: Arches &
Canyonlands
Accommodation
We will be staying in the now bustling ex-mining town of Moab, Utah.
Meals
Most meals are included during the trip dates and we typically eat at
park lodges in the evening as well as hand-picked local restaurants. We
often do snacks on the trail and then return for a late breakfast during
photography trips as we are often out early to capture the morning light.
Weather
Expect warm pleasant days and chilly nights. The weather is generally
very dry and stable in Utah however it can change on a moment’s
notice. Remember some of the best photographs are made before, during
and immediately after a storm cycle. There is no such thing as bad
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 10
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
weather just poor layering and gear choices – please plan accordingly!
For more info on what to bring please email or call us.
We recommend checking these weather links prior to your trip
departure to plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly.
Price Includes
Most meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip dates:
from the evening of Day One through the morning of Day Five,
professional photography instruction, park entrance fees, medically
certified wilderness guide, & gratuities for service personnel such as
drivers, pilots, captains as well as hotel & restaurant staff.
Price Does Not Include
Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip
dates, one meal on your own, souvenirs & trip leader gratuities
(industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your
experience)
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 11
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Conditioning for Photography Trips
Always consult your physician before commencing with a workout
program.
If you are already in good shape you will likely not need to condition for
this tour. Unless you live at high altitude already you may need to
practice some light walking with your backpack and the boots or
walking shoes you plan on using for the tour. Begin by training with a
light backpack and walk every week. Make sure you are capable of
walking 3 miles in a week. Break it up if need be. Walk in ½-1-mile
increments, walking on relatively flat terrain is fine.
Please Note: The hikes are a critical part of this tour and are the only
way to see most of the features in the area. You can complete this tour
without any hiking, but it will eliminate about half of our proposed photo
locations from your trip, including some very unique arches!
The average elevation in Moab is 4,000 Feet, and some of our hikes will
be at over 6,000 feet! Proper pre-hydration shortly before your trip will
immensely improve your experience as well as others experience on the
tour, drink at least two liters of water per day as least 3 days before
your trip starts!
Lodging & Meals
Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include most
meals, lodging from day 1 through the morning of the last day of the
tour, ground transportation while on the tour, National Park entrance
fees, guide fees and other items essential to a successful trip – meaning
that once your there all you will have to focus on is your photography.
We can accommodate most special diets so please let us know if you
have any dietary restrictions.
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 12
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Gear List This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read
through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.
Your clothing should be a system of layers that you add and subtract
according to the weather and temperature. A good pair of good synthetic
“Smartwool” type socks under sturdy boots works well. Clothing should
be light-weight nylon pants (maybe base-layers), a polypro shirt and
either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather
conditions change add insulating and waterproof layers to your base
setup. Don’t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator and
once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans!
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 13
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Photo & Field Gear
Recommended Camera Gear:
• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic
etc.)
• Mid-range zoom lens (24–105mm zoom or equivalent)
• Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom)
• Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)
• Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for
hikes)
• Memory Cards
• Batteries & Chargers
• Filters such as a circular polarizer are a must.
• Lens cleaning pen & cloth
• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera
& hiking gear and have a rain cover)
• Camera Rain Sleeve
• Headlamp (This is a must for early morning starts and late-night
hikes back to the car!)
•
Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear:
• Back-Up Camera Body
• Medium length telephoto lens (70-200mm or equivalent)
• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed(for
personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour)
• External Hard Drives
• Remote Shutter Trigger
• Camera’s Instruction Manual
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 14
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Suggested Field Gear & Clothing:
• Personal Field Clothing (think layers)
• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket
• Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or
lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night
• Warm Hat & Gloves
• Down Jacket (My favorite piece of gear in Moab!)
• “Softshell” Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket for
layering and protection from wind
• Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom)
• Shorts & T-Shirts for on the go during warmer months
• Wool Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)
• Brimmed Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Good walking or tennis shoes
• Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail
• Water Bottle or Hydration System (1-2 liters)
• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket
• Rain Pants
• Shooting Gloves
• Binoculars (optional)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Knee pads (for low-angle shooting)
• Personal toiletries & medications
• Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally
10%20% of the trip cost based on your experience) and for any
personal expenses not included in the tour package such as
alcoholic beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc.
This is a general list. Please call with any questions!
Backcountry Journeys – Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands 15
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Note on Packing for the tour: Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries,
extra camera gear, and other travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel
bag. You will not bring all your camera gear on every outing. Each
evening you will be briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to
carry the following day on the scheduled tour or outing.