Zion National Park - Mid December

[rickruss]

I am heading to Zion next weekend to photograph and would appreciate any suggestions as to what to shoot and when to shoot it.  I am shooting large format (4x5 - probably Provia, but will also bring Acros) and my photography partner will be shooting a medium format digital camera.  I am a hiker and will have the appropriate layers of clothes and appropriate water resistant hiking boots.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

Rick Russell
richardrussell-1@ca.rr.com

[PDobson]

If you're lucky enough to get any snowfall, go through the Carmel tunnel and check out the eastside. It's easy to wander around there and a completely different landscape than the canyon. The petrified dunes are very pretty covered in ice and snow.

Phillip

[masl]

second the eastern or western plateaus of the canyon (though Kolob Reservoir Rd may not be open) and while you're up there spend at least a day at Bryce (likely much more snow).  The hike up to Observation Point won't be as treacherous as Angel's Landing for a 'view from the top' but bring some rope & crampons just in case.  Nearly a new moon so star trail opportunities exist...  If you've never been to Zion, spend some time early on scoping the valley up to the narrows and absolutely check out East Zion.  I'm hoping to get up there or to monument valley over Christmas.
-Mark

[Patricia Sheley]

If you're lucky enough to get any snowfall, go through the Carmel tunnel and check out the eastside. It's easy to wander around there and a completely different landscape than the canyon. The petrified dunes are very pretty covered in ice and snow.

Phillip

Nice one!

[Lonnie Utah]

http://www.zionnational-park.com/

[PDobson]

Thank you Patricia.

A big storm had just rolled through and left dozens of beautiful ice lines.  This flow was right by the road before Checkerboard. The storm completely ruined our plans for rock climbing, but tried offering this untouched ice in its stead. If only I hadn't left my ice gear back in Montana... I won't make that mistake again.

Phillip

[markadams99]

Here's what Zion looked like yesterday on the way down from Walter's Wiggles:



I turned back from the final slope to Angel's Landing - it was downright scary without crampons and I'm surprised that only 6 people have died there since 2001. I wandered along the West Rim instead where I saw this frozen waterfall:

[The Ute]

The link below shows some photos taken this past Sat. :

https://picasaweb.google.com/109721757058432487394/Zion2#

The shot taken under the pine creek bridge is an unsual location.

[mhecker*]

The classic shot down the Virgin River from the bridge looks quite good with snow in the winter.
It is shown below in the first week of November.

   

Angels Landing is spectacular but crampons and a belay rope are recommended to get there this time of year.
If you're not an experienced climber I wouldn't recommend it.

Bryce in many ways is a far better photo location in winter.


For more info see http://wyofoto.com/Photo_maps/Zion_NP/Deluxe_Zion_Photoguide_PDF.html

[Lonnie Utah]

I turned back from the final slope to Angel's Landing - it was downright scary without crampons and I'm surprised that only 6 people have died there since 2001.

From a friend from yesterday....

[Lonnie Utah]

The classic shot down the Virgin River from the bridge looks quite good with snow in the winter.
It is shown below in the first week of November.

The same shot from a few days ago.  From a non-photographer friend.  Notice the effect of the 2010 floods on the riparian vegetation and the scene.  IMHO, it's not nearly as compelling as it used to be.