Leaving for Utah this Saturday...

Hey all, Im leaving for Utah this saturday. I'll be staying at the flaming gorge lodge near Dutch John. Any recommendations? I've been doing alot of homework so I have plenty ideas, but i'm up for any tips. I'll be staying a full week and i'll have my own car to travel as I please.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Michael,

Unfortunately when I went through Flaming Gorge it was as I was racing from Aspen to meet my friend in West Yellowstone in 1996- 600 miles in 12 hours. I had desperately wanted to stop but did not have the time.

The Recreation area is in Utah near the border of Wyoming. Tremendous vistas in places and on the right mornings and evenings the color can be remarkable. They do not call it Flaming for nothing. Unfortunately I can not tell you specifics about where to photograph. However, you will find a decided change in the light between NY state and the Utah. Be prepared to grab your polarizing and warming filters early in the day. In 1995 when I was photographing with Fujichrome Velvia 50 and Provia 100 in SE Utah in Arches and Canyonlands and SW Utah in Bryce and Zion they were a necessity. In particular in May I needed a polarizer and warming filter (before I had a warm polarizer) at 8:30 AM taking photos from Dead Horse State Park into the Island in the Sky of Canyonlands. See this:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

First thing that I suggest is to look at any of the post cards, books, and calendars of the area to see what is there. Also, talk to the people at the Motel and also the rangers. Drive through the park and get an idea of the terrain, the light, and where the sun is and how it will travel across the sky along the ecliptic at this time of the year.

Good luck, enjoy, and let us know how the trip goes.

Rich

Try and catch a world record Lake Trout! Below the dam, the green river is very spectacular, carving though a deep canyon that has good trails along the bottom. Be careful of going out on sandbars or crossing low parts of the river, however, because if the dam increases flow to generate increased power, the water level can change dramatically in a matter of minutes, and strand you, or make you swim in dangerously cold water.

You will be just north of the Vernal area- Dinosaur Land, some interesting desert canyons and such if you come down from the high country.

Farther south (thinking about 5 or more hours) is the San Rafeal, Arches, and Canyonlands area.

Don't forget the high Unitas wilderness area just west and a bit north of there.

Thanks all, Im bringing plenty of film, my moose warming polarizer and assorted goodies. Hopefully, I'll be posting some photos when I get home!