Where to go in May ?? I'll be in Vegas and then

Dave Clee

I am down in Vegas for a conference between May 17 - May 22. Then from the 22nd - 27th I am renting a van and heading out somewhere..My question is where ? The last time I was there I went to Bryce and stopped in Zion on the way back..Unfort I only had 1/2 a day in Zion, so I didnt get much opportunity..It looked like an incredible place..So here is my list of possibilities..

ZION - 3.5hrs is an easy drive from Vegas..Spend 4 or 5 days here. Is there enough to keep me interested for 4 - 5 days ?

Arches NP - Drive the 9 hours and spend 4 - 5 days there. Again is there enough to see and shoot for 4 - 5 days ?

Canyonlands NP - From what I have seen it looks awesome as well..

Death Valley - Drive 3 hours spend 4 - 5 days there..I am a bit concerned it will be to hot during late May..

1 thingI dont want to do is try and visit to many places and then fall short of quality time with each place. 1 or 2 places max !

So if you had 6 days to visit one or 2 of these places what would it be..?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Dave

anwmn1

You could do more than 1 place in 6 days that is for sure.

Death Valley will be extremely hot in May.
Moab will also be hot in May.

I would suggest Zion and then spend a couple days around Page AZ. You could spend several days in Page alone but you can easily see both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend in only 2 days allowing for hours to shoot at each.

It is only a 2 1/2 drive from Zion to Page if you don't stop along the way.

Dave Clee

Thanks for the reply, the more I have read on DV, the more I am concerned it will be to hot to enjoy it..

The short time I spent in Zion, truly was amazing...I am definitely leaning towards heading back there..

Cheers

Dave

anwmn1 wrote:

You could do more than 1 place in 6 days that is for sure.

Death Valley will be extremely hot in May.
Moab will also be hot in May.

I would suggest Zion and then spend a couple days around Page AZ. You could spend several days in Page alone but you can easily see both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend in only 2 days allowing for hours to shoot at each.

It is only a 2 1/2 drive from Zion to Page if you don't stop along the way.

Tango

i have May 15th, 16th, & 17th off, so if you get here earlier and want some company look me up!

i will gather some links for you to look at later this afternoon.

May usually has great clouds here, i hope you run into great luck with the weather!

Dave Clee

Much appreciated....I am looking forward to this one..I was supposed to get back down there last year..But was just to busy with work...

Any links you could provide would be appreciated...How far are you away from Zion ?

I'll be down there with a good friend of mine, who is also a photographer..

Cheers

Dave

AaronNelson wrote:

i have May 15th, 16th, & 17th off, so if you get here earlier and want some company look me up!

i will gather some links for you to look at later this afternoon.

May usually has great clouds here, i hope you run into great luck with the weather!

Tango

this is worth a stop. fairly an eye opening experiance.
http://www.fatali.com/index-frame.php

here are some shots of areas i love...
http://pictureworks.smugmug.com/Landscapes

we can talk more of specifics...

some random points,
judging of stuff ive see from you and my idea of your style:

...you will not want to miss a sunrise/sunset at Lake Powell, hit and miss with weather ofcourse.

...you will want to get a photograph of Horseshoe Bend.

...you will want to go to the top of Angels Landing in Zion, get there before sunrise and experance something you will not forget. (just sit back and watch, doubtful your camera will do it justice no matter how good you are)
(lastly, do not fall, or it will be your last trip)

Tango

also, late May is Yucca flowering in Snow Canyon....(seems the window is very short.. last year was four days)

Dave Clee

Great links !! Much appreciated...

Not sure about getting up to Angels landing to see the sunrise.
From what I have read its a pretty challenging hike..Not sure I would
want to attempt it in the dark
Is there a spot to camp up there ?

Cheers

Dave

AaronNelson wrote:

this is worth a stop. fairly an eye opening experiance.
http://www.fatali.com/index-frame.php

here are some shots of areas i love...
http://pictureworks.smugmug.com/Landscapes

we can talk more of specifics...

some random points,
judging of stuff ive see from you and my idea of your style:

...you will not want to miss a sunrise/sunset at Lake Powell, hit and miss with weather ofcourse.

...you will want to get a photograph of Horseshoe Bend.

...you will want to go to the top of Angels Landing in Zion, get there before sunrise and experance something you will not forget. (just sit back and watch, doubtful your camera will do it justice no matter how good you are)
(lastly, do not fall, or it will be your last trip)

Tango

i imagine you could get ticketed of some sort for camping up there...
ive seen climbers spend the night in some kind of platform hanging halfway down a cliff... so i guess its a matter if the ranger can get to you...:D

yes its a climb, and if it was a full moon there would be no problems imo. but you are going to be there with little to no moon, flashlights tire hands quickly so i dont suggest that either...

just start out early twilight....the scarry part isnt really til you get to the top.... btw, there is a chain to hold onto as you finish the last leg of the trail....

dogwood

AaronNelson wrote:

flashlights tire hands quickly so i dont suggest that either...

That's what a headlamp is for!