SmugMug/Dgrin Pre Shoot 2008 -Ideas?

Skippy

Hi folks just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for those who wish to do a Pre-Shoot before the Utah Event in 2008.

So for those who are not joining the climbing group,
but want to do something else .... how bout we post suggestions?

In 2006 a group of us started off in Las Vegas and drove to Bryce from there.

I'm not sure where a good starting point would be to end up in UTAH.

Anyone got any thoughts as to what they might like to do ???

.... Skippy
.

anwmn1

Skippy wrote:

Hi folks just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for those who wish to do a Pre-Shoot before the Utah Event in 2008.

So for those who are not joining the climbing group,
but want to do something else .... how bout we post suggestions?

In 2006 a group of us started off in Las Vegas and drove to Bryce from there.

I'm not sure where a good starting point would be to end up in UTAH.

Anyone got any thoughts as to what they might like to do ???

.... Skippy
.

Skippy-

I am going to attempt the climbing while in Utah but I am up for a pre-shoot for sure!! Taking the whole week off-maybe more.

I live in Phoenix and willing to rent a van an play chauffer for those that fly into Phoenix.

I have posted a few ideas in the intial thread- here are those and a few more:
1. Page- Antelope Canyons- Monument Valley- Goosenecks (Nikolai mentioned you did some of this last time)

2. Tonto Natural Bridge- Petrified Forest- Painted Desert- Canyon De Chelly- (Window Rock/Monument Valley could be added in this as well)

3. Ruins Tour- Montezuma Castle(AZ)- Walnut Canyon(AZ)- Zuni (NM)- Chaco(NM)- Ship Rock (NM) - etc.

Other locations/ideas along the way (depending on the route):
Sedona
Jerome
RT66
Fossil Springs
West Clear Creek
Aspens in Flagstaff

Sure I am missing a few-

Skippy

Ummmmmmm how are you going to do a Pre-Shoot if your already on the Climbing Pre-Shoot .... Skippy
.

Ann McRae

Hey skippy - climbing isn't the preshoot - it is the same dates as the shoot.

Aaron - can you give a geography lesson, please? How far is it from Pheonix to Moab? How does that compare to Vegas to Moab? How many days necesssary to do the trip you've utlined?

Thanks

ann

Skippy wrote:

Ummmmmmm how are you going to do a Pre-Shoot if your already on the Climbing Pre-Shoot .... Skippy
.

anwmn1

Ann McRae wrote:

Hey skippy - climbing isn't the preshoot - it is the same dates as the shoot.

Aaron - can you give a geography lesson, please? How far is it from Pheonix to Moab? How does that compare to Vegas to Moab? How many days necesssary to do the trip you've utlined?

Thanks

ann

This was my understanding as well. I was only planning on doing the climbing for 1/2 day- 1 day at the most. I am thinking this should be done in the middle of the day when the lightinging is not ideal.


Phoenix to Moab is 461 miles or just at 8 hours
Vegas to Moab is 553 miles or just at 9 hours

Here are three different routes for the ideas I suggested using google maps.

Phoenix- Payson- Painted Desert & Petrified Forest- Canyon De Chelly- Moab




Indian Ruins Trip
Phoenix- Camp Verde (Montezuma's Castle) - Flagstaff- Gallup- Moab. (This would be the hardest- no knowledge of the ruins in NW (Sunrise/Sunset)- most miles- etc.)


My Preferred Trip: Leave Phoenix Saturday Oct 4th - Return Sunday Oct 12

Phoenix- 1 day in Sedona- 1 day at Petrified Forest & Panited Desert- 1 day at Canyon De Chelly- Moab- Then hit the Goosenecks and Monument Valley when leaving Moab or instead of Sedona.

Skippy

Ann McRae wrote:

Hey skippy - climbing isn't the preshoot - it is the same dates as the shoot.

Aaron - can you give a geography lesson, please? How far is it from Pheonix to Moab? How does that compare to Vegas to Moab? How many days necesssary to do the trip you've utlined?

Thanks

ann

Ohhhhhhhh wow I got that all wrong didn't I
I thought the Climbing was seperate from the actual event,
why did I think that ???? .... Skippy
.

pathfinder

Skippy,

Kathy and I would be delighted to join you and your friends for some shooting prior to the shoot out in Moab. We have stayed in various areas in Utah, Colorado, and Arizona and are willing to discuss places to stay and/or shoot.

We love hiking and shooting ruins in particular, but can usually find something to entertain us anywhere.

I do not think that we are going to do the 'rope' thing either

Skippy

pathfinder wrote:

Skippy,

Kathy and I would be delighted to join you and your friends for some shooting prior to the shoot out in Moab. We have stayed in various areas in Utah, Colorado, and Arizona and are willing to discuss places to stay and/or shoot.

We love hiking and shooting ruins in particular, but can usually find something to entertain us anywhere.

I do not think that we are going to do the 'rope' thing either

Hey there Jim, I'm already on the count down.
I'm probably the first person to already have their flight tickets since November 2nd 2007

I will be in USA a full week before the Main Event.

Looking forward to seeing everyone yet again in 2008
.... Skippy
.

Phyxius

I have a 3 night stay in Vegas that I have to take...I might go there first. Maybe FINALLY get a day trip up to the Grand Canyon. I'd still love to see Bryce and Zion. Maybe I'll figure out a way to meet up with you guys somewhere along the way? I've got to look at maps and stuff, figure out routes/times/sites.

Ann McRae

So, I've just looked at the 'big' map and see that the largest airport hubs would be Salt Lake, Denver, Albuquerque, Pheonix or LV. Since I've only been to Vegas, and have driven Vegas - Bryce before, what points of interest are on the other routes?

At this point, as much as I'd like to, I do not think I'll be joining a week long preshoot, but am still looking for good scenery to drive through.

ann

Prezwoodz

if you went through phenoix you could drive through Sedona and the Grand Canyon on the way north. Wouldn't be to bad for sure! Especially considering how close Zion is to those areas.

anwmn1

Ann McRae wrote:

So, I've just looked at the 'big' map and see that the largest airport hubs would be Salt Lake, Denver, Albuquerque, Pheonix or LV. Since I've only been to Vegas, and have driven Vegas - Bryce before, what points of interest are on the other routes?

At this point, as much as I'd like to, I do not think I'll be joining a week long preshoot, but am still looking for good scenery to drive through.

ann

Ann-

From Salt Lake is the closest drive- about 5 hours-
There is the Great Salt Lake- the surrounding mountians (Little Cottonwood Canyon) should have the Fall Colors in Effect and possibly some snow- and there are several state parks. The closest National Park is Capitol Reef- but Bryce- Zion- Escalante- and Goblin Valley could be reached depending on how much time you are in the area.

Denver is 5 1/2 to 6 hours and you go through Grand Junction which is similar to Sedona- rest of the terrain is pretty flat and boring as far as I know

Albuquerque is 7 hours and there are several routes you could take


Just break out a Road Atlas or Google Maps, and then search google on the state parks, cities, or other areas you see.

Phyxius

I've been looking at maps/routes and even though I've been to Vegas twice I was "working" both times and never had time to make it out to some of the closer sites like the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion.

Now, I'm looking into hitting Arizona, maybe for a few days of pre to get to Utah and then hitting Bryce and Zion on the way down to Vegas and then, while there taking a day to visit the Grand Canyon.

jdryan3

Phyxius wrote:

I've been looking at maps/routes and even though I've been to Vegas twice I was "working" both times and never had time to make it out to some of the closer sites like the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion.

Now, I'm looking into hitting Arizona, maybe for a few days of pre to get to Utah and then hitting Bryce and Zion on the way down to Vegas and then, while there taking a day to visit the Grand Canyon.

As a point of reference the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is about 200 miles from the North Rim (or 21 miles down and up if you hike across the canyon ).

The North Rim Lodge and access closes in mid-October. The North Rim is about 45 miles south of Jacob Lake AZ, which is about 1 hour/60 miles south of Mt Carmel Junction UT, the east entrance to Zion. Looooong distances. But I really enjoyed Zion; I plan on going back. The North Rim was fun and the sunrises spectacular, but there is a serious commitment to getting there.

Hope that helps

cwphotos

I am flying into denver early to stay with some friends but then driving the 6 hours to moab (if my calculations are right). But as I get it figured out I would love to meet up with some folks.

BeachBill

anwmn1 wrote:

1. Page- Antelope Canyons- Monument Valley- Goosenecks (Nikolai mentioned you did some of this last time)

I will be driving from my home in Las Vegas. I'm not sure if I'm going to take some extra days before the main event, but I think you know I would be interested in going to Antelope Canyon with you sometime, however it might be better to go in the summer.

Looking at a map, if I were to go to Page, I would probably take the route up through St. George/Zion/Kanab. That route is about a 5 hour drive from Vegas to Page.

If I don't do a pre-shootout, I will probably head straight up I-15 and cut across I-70 to Moab (from my house, it's 483 miles or about a 7 1/2 hour drive to the lodge).

anwmn1

BeachBill wrote:

I will be driving from my home in Las Vegas. I'm not sure if I'm going to take some extra days before the main event, but I think you know I would be interested in going to Antelope Canyon with you sometime, however it might be better to go in the summer.

Looking at a map, if I were to go to Page, I would probably take the route up through St. George/Zion/Kanab. That route is about a 5 hour drive from Vegas to Page.

If I don't do a pre-shootout, I will probably head straight up I-15 and cut across I-70 to Moab (from my house, it's 483 miles or about a 7 1/2 hour drive to the lodge).

I will be shooting Lower Antelope again the weekend of March 29th. I plan on hitting Monument Valley Friday night and Saturday morning then spending Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning in the Page area. Lower Antelope- Horseshoe Bend- Balancing Rock at Vermilion Cliffs.


I am still up for a pre-shoot leaving Phoenix the weekend before the shootout for anyone flying in or driving from California.

greenpea

I plan on flying into Albuquerque then driving up to visitn family North of Taos. I'll spend a couple days there, then I plan on taking a couple days to make the 7 hour drive to Moab so I can stop and spend some time photographing the pre-Pueblo ruins in Mesa Verde National Park and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in SE Colorado.

Anyone up for photographing pre-Pueblo cities on the side of a cliff that have been abandoned for over 700 years?

jdryan3

Note: I posted part of this in the other thread but am redirecting it here

jdryan3 who wants to wander out West wrote:

How do most folks plan on getting there? I, for instance, will probably fly to SLC and drive the 4.5 hours. I can fly to SLC in 4 hours. While Grand Junction is only 2 hours away from Moab, it takes a 6.5 hour flight with a layover. Plus it costs $230 more. And cars will probably be easier to get in SLC.

But if people are wanting to fly into Phoenix or SLC sometime like 10/2 or 10/3 and head off someplace before Arches, I'm very interested.

Foochar wrote:

I wanted to make sure that with the shorter time frame ... that a mid day arrival in Moab on the 8th and mid day departure from Moab on the 11th was the recommended course of action by the "powers that be".

DavidTO replied to Foochar that we have the lodge thru the 11th, leaving on the 12th

As I referenced 4 posts above I went to the North Rim last June. I came out of Vegas -> Cedar Breaks (.5 days) -> Zion (1 day) -> North Rim GC (1.5 days). While I would like to go back to Zion sometime, I think I would prefer doing SLC to Escalante, maybe as far as Bryce, before or after Moab.

The other idea is to head to Phoenix, up to Sedona and on to Page/Antelope, then Moab. I chose the 10/2 or 10/3 dates only to leverage 2 weekends in there, but after 10/12 for a day or so is also doable.

I'm not really sure how set the agenda is for Moab and points beyond, (especially with 60 people). Is the lodge more of a jumping off point, we kinda look at the attractions (Arches, Dead Horse) and do as we want as self-coagulating groups. Or is there more structure?

anwmn1

jdryan3 wrote:

Note: I posted part of this in the other thread but am redirecting it here



As I referenced 4 posts above I went to the North Rim last June. I came out of Vegas -> Cedar Breaks (.5 days) -> Zion (1 day) -> North Rim GC (1.5 days). While I would like to go back to Zion sometime, I think I would prefer doing SLC to Escalante, maybe as far as Bryce, before or after Moab.

The other idea is to head to Phoenix, up to Sedona and on to Page/Antelope, then Moab. I chose the 10/2 or 10/3 dates only to leverage 2 weekends in there, but after 10/12 for a day or so is also doable.

I'm not really sure how set the agenda is for Moab and points beyond, (especially with 60 people). Is the lodge more of a jumping off point, we kinda look at the attractions (Arches, Dead Horse) and do as we want as self-coagulating groups. Or is there more structure?

I have the same questions as far as structure. I am good either way but since having never been in that area some direction would be great.

cwphotos

These are all awesome ideas. I think they will gel more as the time arrives....which cant happen soon enough....

Phyxius

jdryan3 wrote:

As a point of reference the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is about 200 miles from the North Rim (or 21 miles down and up if you hike across the canyon ).

The North Rim Lodge and access closes in mid-October. The North Rim is about 45 miles south of Jacob Lake AZ, which is about 1 hour/60 miles south of Mt Carmel Junction UT, the east entrance to Zion. Looooong distances. But I really enjoyed Zion; I plan on going back. The North Rim was fun and the sunrises spectacular, but there is a serious commitment to getting there.

Hope that helps

Thanks for the breakdowns! I live in a rural area of Maryland and used to drive 50 miles one way to work every day. And, many of my friends live "across the river" also about 50 miles away. I travel through three counties to get to work now and that's close to home.

I really need to get my days set for the Vegas hotel, so it looks like I might be doing my own pre or post shoot. I have a friend whose husband will be in Idaho the week after the shoot and I might be able to get her and a few other friends to join me out west.

Jane B.

Phyxius wrote:

Thanks for the breakdowns! I live in a rural area of Maryland and used to drive 50 miles one way to work every day. And, many of my friends live "across the river" also about 50 miles away. I travel through three counties to get to work now and that's close to home.

Snip

The distance from county to county is all relative. The small Illinois town where I live sits at the junction of 4 counties (Clinton, Marion, Jefferson, & Washington). So, if at the right spot, I think you could step in all of them by taking 3 steps, need to double check a map for the possible offset!

Jane B.

gluwater

anwmn1 wrote:

I have the same questions as far as structure. I am good either way but since having never been in that area some direction would be great.

There are definitely suggested spots to shoot and group outings but you are free to shoot wherever you please. You do not need to stay with the group and the large group will definitely break up into smaller groups and go their own way.

anwmn1

gluwater wrote:

There are definitely suggested spots to shoot and group outings but you are free to shoot wherever you please. You do not need to stay with the group and the large group will definitely break up into smaller groups and go their own way.

Thanks for the information.

Now just have to figure out the preshoot and see who is up for it.

jdryan3

Jane B. wrote:

The distance from county to county is all relative. The small Illinois town where I live sits at the junction of 4 counties (Clinton, Marion, Jefferson, & Washington). So, if at the right spot, I think you could step in all of them by taking 3 steps, need to double check a map for the possible offset!

Jane B.

Well on this shootout you can sit in 4 states at once.

jdryan3

Glad to see this thread come back to life. The wife and I were figuring out work, vacations, school coverage, the whole bit for 2008. Good news is I still can block out any 7-10 block of days I need to around then.

anwmn1 wrote:

From Salt Lake is the closest drive- about 5 hours-
There is the Great Salt Lake- the surrounding mountians (Little Cottonwood Canyon) should have the Fall Colors in Effect and possibly some snow- and there are several state parks. The closest National Park is Capitol Reef- but Bryce- Zion- Escalante- and Goblin Valley could be reached depending on how much time you are in the area.

anwmn1 wrote:

I will be shooting Lower Antelope again the weekend of March 29th. I plan on hitting Monument Valley Friday night and Saturday morning then spending Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning in the Page area. Lower Antelope- Horseshoe Bend- Balancing Rock at Vermilion Cliffs.

Aaron - SLC to Moab is 5 hours, Phoenix to Sedona to Page thru Monument Valley to Moab about is 9 hours (not counting stops). As someone who lives and travels out there, which is better? I've done Zion and the Canyon, but not Bryce eastward, and nothing northeast of Phoenix. Is there one route to Moab from Phoenix and then another back? Trying to make a beeline on Sunday from Moab to Phoneix to make a flight seems silly, so I wouldn't leave until Monday if I came in that way.

Missing Sedona isn't a biggie only because I get to Phoenix fairly often - that's a day trip.

BeachBill

jdryan3 wrote:

Well on this shootout you can sit in 4 states at once.

I might be up for a post shootout trip to Four Corners Monument. It's only 145 miles south of Moab.

jdryan3

BeachBill wrote:

I might be up for a post shootout trip to Four Corners Monument. It's only 145 miles south of Moab.

Funny you mentioned that. Something similar plus going to Canyons of the Ancients on the way back to Phoenix was the kind of thing I was thinking about when I asked about an 'alternative route' back.

anwmn1

jdryan3 wrote:

Glad to see this thread come back to life. The wife and I were figuring out work, vacations, school coverage, the whole bit for 2008. Good news is I still can block out any 7-10 block of days I need to around then.





Aaron - SLC to Moab is 5 hours, Phoenix to Sedona to Page thru Monument Valley to Moab about is 9 hours (not counting stops). As someone who lives and travels out there, which is better? I've done Zion and the Canyon, but not Bryce eastward, and nothing northeast of Phoenix. Is there one route to Moab from Phoenix and then another back? Trying to make a beeline on Sunday from Moab to Phoneix to make a flight seems silly, so I wouldn't leave until Monday if I came in that way.

Missing Sedona isn't a biggie only because I get to Phoenix fairly often - that's a day trip.

I haven't made the trip from SLC to Moab but I am sure there could be some great sites. If you are wanting to do a few places in depth this may be the way to go but if you want to see a lot and a variety I think Phx is the way to go. I of course am partial to Phx as well!

If you have 7-10 days and fly in and out of PhX we should do this trip together. I am wanting to leave Phoenix the Saturday before the shootout and get a healthy pre-shoot in. Return late Sunday the 12th.

I will be renting an SUV or Van so have room for 3 -4 people up for a long trip.

I'll even pick people up from the Airport Friday afternoon and provide shelter for that evening.

With that time frame here is what I am thinking:

Sat. early am head to Payson AZ and shoot for 1 full day
Tonto Natural Bridge Photos Photos
Fossil Springs No really good photos of this place
I also know of a few other waterfalls in the area and some good lookouts along the Mogollon Rim

Sun. full day shooting Painted Desert and Petrified Forest
Can also stand on a corner in Winslow AZ

Mon. Hit Canyon De Chelly for a day.
Some photos of those 3

Tues. Head towards Moab- could hit Four Corners, ShipRock and Canyon of the Ancients or Monument Valley and Goosenecks

Wed. get into Moab check in and rest before starting the shootout


Sunday the 12th heading back- can hit something small on the way back if people are interested. Several ruins, meteor crater, etc.


Still up for suggestions and haven't figured out if I am going to rough it with a tent or stay in a room each night.

greenpea

I still don't know what my final plan will be, but lately I've been reading a bit about the ancient Pueblo People who lived in UT, CO, NM, and AZ and I've been picking out some of the many sites I wouldn't mind getting a chance to photograph pre or post shootout.

Here's my current list of places I would like to photograph. Most are Ancient Pueblo sites that I would like to camp at (ancient cliff dwelling with start trails), but there are some other places of interest too. I tried to include links where I could to more info about the location.