Five years ago I visited Monument Valley for the first time. Last week I went back. I waited waaaay too long to return. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a special place and lies within the Navajo Nation Reservation. It is part of the Colorado Plateau in the Four-Corners area of the Southwestern US and bridges the Arizona/Utah state border. It is not close to anything really. It is a five-hour drive from both Albuquerque and Phoenix or a three hour drive from Durango. During my four days in the area I stayed in the tiny town of Mexican Hat, UT. According to the 2010 census, Mexican Hat’s population is 31; 17 men and 14 women. It lies 22 miles north of Monument Valley and today boasts 3 hotels, 2 restaurants, and one gas station. Despite its limited services, it turned out to be a great place from which to base my photo shoot.
Monument Valley is a landscape photographer’s dream location. It has been featured in the media countless times since the 1930′s. You can see its iconic sandstone buttes in movies such as Stage Coach, Easy Rider, Forest Gump, and this year’s remake of the Lone Ranger featuring Johnny Depp which I think will be released in June. It is also a perennial favorite of landscape photographers. Impressive red sandstone formations, ancient indian ruins, petroglyphs, pinon trees, and sand dunes combine to provide unlimited landscape opportunities.
A 15 mile scenic drive, open to the public and private vehicles, offers great views of many icons. However, going beyond the scenic drive into the back country is a must for serious landscape photographers. A Navajo guide is required if you leave the general area of the scenic drive. There is no shortage of guides milling around the visitor center offering their services. But for the serious photographer, I suggest you find a guide who understands the special needs of photographers. They are relatively few but well worth the effort and investment. My guide had considerable photography knowledge and knew the best places and times to take advantage of available light. He offered lots of valuable suggestions and was willing to go the extra mile (literally). He even met me at 3:00 AM for star trails. I could not have asked for more.
The best part of the trip? Easy, a late afternoon thunderstorm that developed just before sunset on my second to last day. Although I got completely drenched and ruined a $150 CPL by dropping it in the wet sand, the huge thunderheads illuminated in the golden light of sunset added a special dimension to the drama of the valley. Here are a few of my favorites, most of which were shot just after the thunderstorm blew through the valley. Best when viewed full-screen (FS).
May 2013
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