Photo Traveler's Guide to . . .
Southeast Utah
Photo Traveler
PO Box 39912
Los Angeles, CA 90039
800-417-4680
323-660-8600
fax 323-660-0473
phototravel@phototraveler.com



The Southeast Utah guide covers Monument Valley, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments, and Canyonlands (all three sections and includes the Grand Gallery of Horseshoe Canyon) and Arches national parks. It also covers the Moab area, Dead Horse Point, Sego Canyon, Goblin Valley (and the four slot canyons in that area), Grand Gulch, Muley Point, Goosenecks of the San Juan River, Valley of the Gods, Canyon Rims and more.

1997, 50 pages, $15.95
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Excerpt from guide . . .


Southeast Utah
Arches National Park - Windows Area

   After Balanced Rock, take the road to your right for 2.5 miles to the "Windows" section. At the end of the road is a large parking lot. There's much to photograph in this area so plan on spending some time here.

North Window
   There is a short trail that takes you to the three arches in this area. The first arch, North Window, is two tenth of a mile from the parking lot. As you walk along the trail, notice the weathered junipers that also make excellent photo subjects or can be used in compositions with the arches.
   North Window is a bit difficult to photograph because it's merely a large hole in a mass of sandstone. Photos of arches are more effective if you can use the arch to frame something or if the arch is unusual-looking or exceptionally delicate. Use your 24mm lens to show the form of the arch by getting close to one side. Try placing people in your photos to show the arch's immense size. This arch is definitely best photographed in the late afternoon when the sun shines on the front of the arch. If you follow the trail toward South Window, you'll find a pinion pine that makes a good frame for North Window.
   While at North Window, turn to the southwest for a view of Turret Arch, a more interesting photographic subject. If you're really energetic, climb through North Window to the east side and, using a wide angle lens, photograph Turret Arch framed by North Window. This shot is best at sunrise and in the morning.
South Window
   If you continue along the trail to the left you come to South Window. South Window is also a difficult arch to photograph because it's so big. It's also very difficult to climb up to it for closer views. From this location, a primitive trail leads back around The Windows for a half-mile trip back to the parking lot. You may want to hike this trail alter, but for now take the next part of the trail back toward Turret Arch.
   Just before the trail to Turret Arch drops down, detour to the rise to you right and look back toward North and South Windows for a double view of The Windows, which look like tow gigantic eyes. Good for sunset shots, since the setting sun shines directly off this west-facing rock.

Turret Arch
   Walk to the left of the rock pile for an excellent wide-angle photo of Turret Arch which includes the south spire, the hole and the arch framing the rocks behind it. Turret Arch is more interesting to photograph than North and South Window because it is a better shape and there is more around it to work with. You might want to spend some time climbing around this arch looking for different angles. Turret Arch can be effectively photographed in the morning as well as the afternoon. The trail then doubles back, giving you more views of the twin windows. Turret Arch also makes a good sunrise shot.

Double Arch
   Either walk or drive to the next parking lot just a short distance away. From the beginning of the trail look west to the formation called the "Parade of the Elephants" (they look more like elephants in the early afternoon). Take the trail to Double Arch. This is a beautiful arch and requires a 24mm lens, a blue sky, and morning light for best photography.

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