Delicate Arch - It's harder to get to then one would think.

The Score: Miles=3023.6 PB&J=2  McDonald’s Iced Tea=10

I left Monument Valley about 10 p.m. in order to make it to Canyonlands National Park for sunrise.  I turned onto the road that has The Needles visitors center and slept in my car on the side of the road.  I slept about four hours.  It was very windy and the car would rock with the strong winds. You could here coyotes crying in the distance and it was surreal because there were so many.  I have heard a lone coyote before out where my parents live but this was several calling all over from the sound of it.  Maybe wolves but coyotes seem more likely. I was up at about 5:30 and decided to go to the Island in the Sky portion of the park continuing on the main road that went through Moab.  After passing through Moab I saw the entrance to Arches National Park and decided to go there first instead.  I ended up at the wrong view point and missed sunrise by a good half hour.  I backtracked and hiked the 1.5 Mile trail to Delicate Arch and believe me it is a arduous hike for someone not in the best shape but definitely easier then hiking around the Great Sand Dunes with the shifting sand beneath your feet.  Also it wasn’t as dry although I did forget to take water with me again.  About half way up the Delicate Arch Trail you have to remove your hat because it is so windy it’ll just take it off your head.  I wasn’t sure if it was going to be worth the hike since the best light had gone already.  After coming around the back side of a butte where you can finally see the magnificent arch you are nearly swept off your feet from the wind.  Those photographers that hike up there in the dark for sunrise or stay till dark for sunset are dedicated because the wind feels like your strapped to the top of your car going down the interstate at 70 miles and hour.  You have to be careful because you will at some point lose your balance and there are drop offs on both sides of the ledge your on.  I stuck around took some shots and explored the rest of the park by car.  Give yourself about 3 hours round trip if you ever go to photograph Delicate Arch.

By the time I got out of Arches I decided to bypass Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park and try to get to the Maroon Bells in Aspen by sunset.  I did get to the park around sunset but it wasn’t a spectacular sunset either I had missed it or it just wasn’t meant to be.  I met another photographer there names Christian James who owns and operates ProPhotoSpots.com and is now photographing full time for a career.  He was very friendly and offered a lot of suggestions and tips on photography and locations to shoot.  I plan to check out his website for the Grand Tetons before I leave Aspen.

I am currently staying at the St. Maritz in Aspen I opted for a private room over the hostel.  It’s fairly inexpensive for Aspen and though the accommodations are small and older I like it and it is comfortable.  It also means I can post to the blog.  I have been having trouble with McDonald’s Wifi services recently.