Moab Scenic Locations

• Sunrise at Mesa Arch
• Green River Overview
• Dead Horse Point State Park

The sky was cloudy the day I was there and that help to dramatize the scenery. I have been told that summer is the rainy season in Moab, so there is a chance of having clouds on the sky instead of clear "relentless blue sky." But the summer is very hot. I was there at the beginning of September, it was hot. My schedule allowed me for midday visits to these locations. The shots I took there are enhanced by shadows of the clouds on the ground. Visiting these locations in the morning will guarantee interesting lighting.

Island in the Sky is a part of Canyonlands National Park closest to Moab, it is about 35 miles drive. The Mesa Arch is commonly photographed at sunrise. The reflected light gives characteristic orange glow to the underside of the arch. I have also seen very nice photos of the early dawn sky through this arch. After taking sunrise scenes at Mesa Arch, there is very short drive to the Green River Overview. At early morning the view is quite dramatic. The area provides opportunity to use telephoto lens for the intimate landscape photos of the White Ridge and other structures.

If there is still early enough, Dead Horse Point State Park is a short drive away and provides another opportunity to photograph spectacular vista. The overlook of the Colorado River with dramatic shadows on the rocky slopes is truly breathtaking. Area off the beaten path to the west of the parking lot provides good shooting location. Several small juniper trees and other plants can be found close to the edge of the canyon provide some interesting foreground.

A guide I hired for showing me around Moab suggested Canyonlands with Mesa Arch and Green River overview for the afternoon/sunset shooting locations. It is an interesting possibility to explore. For the afternoon visit to these locations, travelers with 4x4 can take Potash Road to Schafer Trail to get from Moab to Canyonlands. Follow route 279 from Moab to Potash Road for about two hours of sightseeing drive.

Here is the link to the map of the Island in the Sky area of the Canyonlands:

http://www.nps.gov/cany/pdfs/island.pdf

If you haven't already, take a look at other of my photos taken arount the Moab area.
Good luck and happy shooting.

Mark Malecha

Castle Valley, route 128, afternoon shooting:

• Afternoon overview of Fisher Towers
• Castle Rock form Castle Rock road

Take route 128 north for about 14 miles. First ten miles follows up the Colorado river through the canyon. In the canyon the view is quite spectacular. Pass Castle Valley Road and continue on 128 for a few extra miles. Pass Fisher Towers on the right and continue on 128 until it turns North. Fisher Towers should be directly behind you. There are several overlook parking areas on the left side of the road with overview of Towers with La Sal Mountains in the background.

Next head back to the Castle Valley to photograph Castle Rock. Turn into Castle Rock Road and follow it until you get desired view of the rock formation on your left. Castle Rock can be photographed form several points along the road in the late afternoon. If you have time to spare, try to find the pond for the reflection shot.

If you have just a morning to spare, Priest and Nuns and Castle Rock can be photographed at sunrise from road 128. There are few small hills close to the Fisher Towers one can use to setup sunrise shots with the medium telephoto lens. Battleship rock formation is nearby, and it can be photographed in the morning too.

If you haven't already, take a look at other of my photos taken arount the Moab area.
Good luck and happy shooting.

Mark Malecha