6.15.19 - The first time I saw a photo of this place, I knew I had to photograph it. Nearly two years later, I took an impromptu trip to the southwest. I stayed at this location for the better part of three days photographing this viewpoint and a number of other attractions.This was the first sunset I saw at this spot and by far the best light from the three days there, and I nearly missed it! I had everything set up and framed exactly the way I wanted, but the light just wasn't cooperating. The sun was going down behind me, though it was completely obscured by cloudcover. It didn't look like any light was going to break through to highlight this view. Fortunately, I had scouted another location about eight miles away that I knew would look good under cloudy, diffuse light, so I threw everything in the car and zipped off.This is all public land, though maintenance to the roads is few and far between. The windy, dusty, rugged gravel roads have no official speed limit, but most of my driving was done at 20 to 30 miles per hour. I had been meandering along to this other spot for about 10 minutes when I looked back and saw the faintest hint of pink on the rainclouds behind me. Sure enough, a small gap had cleared to the west where the last sunlight of the day was beaming through. I whipped the car around and raced back to the original site, topping 60 miles per hour at times, skidding around turns, kicking up gravel and dust the entire way. I’m sure the undercarriage of my car isn’t thanking me, but it was completely worth it to arrive right as the light completely lit up these rainclouds.Over the next few days, I did manage to catch some beautiful light on a number of features in the area. However, this was the one time the entire sky really lit up; I’m fortunate I caught it in the paramount location I had come to photograph. Even though I got this memorable light, I have no doubt I’ll be back to shoot this spot again, probably a number of times.

6.16.19 - Staying near Hanksville for a few days, I had plenty of time between sunrise and sunset to explore the smaller features of the area. This is a lesser-known slot canyon I was fortunate enough to have entirely to myself for the full two hours I was inside. Mid-morning light doesn't always look nice on the traditional big landscapes I like, but it does cast a warm, phosphorescent glow on these interior chambers deep in the earth.

6.17.19 - A nearly full moon cast a subtle, silvery cobalt light over these badlands at blue hour.

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6.26.15 - A few months ago I posted a photo of the late afternoon sun at Alstrom Point, seen here, but I never followed up with anything from the next morning. This was one of those typical desert sunrises where the colors change by the second. All four of these photos were taken in a twenty minute window; the skies shifted from purple to orange so quickly. When the sun peaked over the horizon, all of the sandstone immediately burst with crimson. I must say Alstrom Point is one of the cooler places I have ever been. It's extremely remote and difficult to reach, requiring twenty miles of fairly gut-wrenching driving on what could be described as a primitive road at best, but the payoff is worth it. When I finally got to the overlook and could see Lake Powell 1,000 feet below, I imagined this is what Mars must look like.

6.24.15 - I hiked in to False Kiva, a hidden archaeological site in the side of a cliff in Canyonlands National Park. Despite the 100º heat, it was an incredible hike. It's simply one of the most amazing things I have ever seen: a totally secluded ruin in a secret cave in the side of a cliff in the backcountry of an already remote national park. You can't actually see the cave until you're right in it. The only reason anyone would even look in this place is if he already knew something was hidden there. I can really see why it might be a sacred or secret place for an ancient tribe. This Pueblan Indian ruin is estimated to have been built around 1350. It has been designated a class II archaeological site, meaning it is not noted on any map or literature, but rangers will talk to you about it if you ask. These three photos are a little repetitive, but I honestly just couldn't decide on one photo to post. No single photo could capture the isolated beauty of this place.

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