- OMT watching how John produces the beautiful photographs that he does. I was told to "stand still" and I did.
- OMT reflecting
John's photo with Canon 5D
Photo credit: www.jandephoto.com/index.html
John is standing knee deep in the plunge pool under the Golden Cathedral shooting down Neon Canyon for this fine photograph.
Almost all of the photos with me in them were taken by John either with my Canon G10 or his Samsung point and shoot. John carried his Canon DSLR (EOS 5D) and tripod for the more serious photography. Since this is such a special photograph I wanted to provide not only the proper photo credit but the link to the the photo site John and his photographer wife, both share.
The hiker reflected in this wonderful reflection photo taken by John is OMT (that's how I came to get a copy of it!).
THE NEON CANYON DAY HIKE:
I have made four trips down the Hole in the Rock Road outside
Escalante, Utah over the past few years. The first trip was the
shortest drive down this 50 mile plus, frame rail shaking washboard
dirt road. In 2007, my friend, John and I traveled the short distance
down the HITR road and hiked down halfway hollow and then along Harris
Wash to visit and photograph the Zebra and Tunnel Slot canyons. That
was in 2007. Photos of that hike can be seen here:
www.flickr.com/photos/12150532@N04/sets/72157601681117257/
In November of 2008 I made a solo trip into the Escalante country. I wanted to hike and see Davis Canyon for the historical tie in with the then mystery of Everett Ruess, the solo traveling artist who was believed to have disappeared at Davis Gulch (where it was said they found his burro). Read the book: Everett Ruess by W.L. Rusho for the book that motivated me to hike and see Davis Gulch. That hike required a long and rugged drive to near the end of the Hole In The Rock road and I wouldn’t see another person until I was well on the way back toward Escalante (when I ran into a Dutch couple with a rental pickup truck, stuck in the sand and helped them out).
Not too long after my Davis Gulch hike, as ironic as it seems they found the remains of Everett Ruess, not near Davis Gulch but all the way across the Colorado River on Navajo land. He disappeared in November o 1934 when he was only 20 years old. Now it seems almost certain he didn’t drown or fall off a cliff, but was murdered.
NOTE December 2009: It now appears that the remains found on Navajo land were NOT those of Everett Ruess as reported in national publications like National Geographic Adventure magazine (April/May 2009). So the disappearance of the young artist is once again a mystery and Davis Gulch is where he was last seen.
Here is the photo set where you can see photos of my hike above the north rim of Davis Gulch and of Bement Arch: www.flickr.com/photos/12150532@N04/sets/72157609536879839/
After driving the 50 miles are so down the bone jarring Hole in the Rock road in November of 2008, I swore I would never drive a portion of that road again. Well, the Escalante River Canyon country has a beauty that draws you there. I wouldn’t stay away for long.
The next trip into the area was April of 2009 - - a trip to remember. My wife and I backpacked 7.5 miles down Hurricane Wash and Coyote Gulch to the foot of Jacob Hamblin Arch, where we slept under a huge sandstone alcove under the stars. We then took a five mile round trip “day hike” from our backpacking tent camp. The next day we backpacked out and actually broke the windshield of our old Toyota pickup truck while driving out on the Hole in the Rock road. We then headed over to Western Colorado to hike the arches of Rattlesnake Canyon near Grand Junction.
Here is a link to the photo set containing the photographs from our
Coyote Gulch backpacking trip:
www.flickr.com/photos/12150532@N04/sets/72157617350433766/
The next trip (when I would once again drive my old tired pickup truck down the HITR road was October of 2009. This was a trip to the Egypt traihead to hike down Fence Canyon, down the Escalante River a short ways, and then up to the Golden Cathedral up Neon Canyon. A wonderful day hike. I made this hike with John, the same friend who had hiked Zebra Slot with me in 2007. These are the photographs from that hike.
Here is the link to the entire set:
www.flickr.com/photos/12150532@N04/sets/72157622564905501/
Zebra Slot is the best scenery for the amount of rough driving and for the short hike in and out of it. Davis Gulch is last on the list unless the historical connection appeals to you and you do pay a price with the long demolition derby drive down the HITR road. Coyote Gulch has the best scenery with its arches massive desert varnished canyon walls and natural bridge. It is however popular so there isn’t a lot of solitude if that is what you seek. Clearly the Neon Canyon hike was one of the best “day hikes’ I have ever taken. The Golden Cathedral was smaller and less spectacular than I had expecte4d BUT the hike in to it and out and the unusual beauty of the Golden Cathedral itself - - makes it a great hike.
Next? Probably Spooky, Peek-a-boo and Brimstone. Can’t stay away.
THE ROAD TRIP - SHORT VERSION:
Early Friday morning on the 23rd of October I started a road trip to Southern Utah. The centerpiece of the trip was meeting my retired long time friend John in Escalante, Utah for a wonderful first time hike for both of us down Fence Canyon, down the Escalante River, then up Neon Canyon to the Golden Cathedral. It was a ten mile day hike that was full of outstanding scenery.
I revisited the Burr Trail near Boulder Town, Utah on the way down to Escalante for some photo ops of the bright golden cottonwood leaves in the canyon country there.
After the hike to Neon Canyon with John, he headed to his home in Western Washington and I headed south to drive the 50 mile dirt road between Kodachrome State Park and highway 89 south of Cannonville, Utah. I had never seen the area before and enjoyed some challenging back country driving; a hike or two; and some interesting landscapes such as Grosvenor Arch.
From the Paria River I drove over to Zion National Park where I visited places I have been many times before but still enjoy. I spent the entire afternoon in the park and left only after the sun went down.
The photographs were taken with a Canon G10 and a Canon XSi. I have left many of the XSi photographs in their larger image format. If you are interested in more details about this road trip, you can read the “long version” (really long) - - with the narrative that accompanies this photo set.
Comments and faves
sawtoothphoto added this photo to their favorites. (32 months ago)
sawtoothphoto (32 months ago | reply)
If I could have "faved" it twice I would have. Stunning.
oldmantravels (32 months ago | reply)
Fred - - Like you, John used excellent photo equipment (including a solid tripod) and has patience when setting up for a photograph, beyond belief. He was knee deep in the plunge pool when he took this photo and of course had to wait until his "wading ripples" dissipated, before hitting his remote shutter release. He of course was using his tripod. I admire photographers like you and John. OMT
Postscript: I will pass along your generous comments to John on his excellent photograph.
oldmantravels (32 months ago | reply)
Fly Flipper - - Agreed. John really does outstanding work. He and his wife are both gifted photograhers and have taught photography and visual media at the high school that John and I graduated from. John's wife still teaches. John, like me, values time over $$$, and retired "early". OMT
Janice L (32 months ago | reply)
I'm sorry but I think I am about to commit one of the seven deadly sins - envy. I want to be there.
Janice L added this photo to her favorites. (32 months ago)
oldmantravels (32 months ago | reply)
Janice - - no reason at all that you shouldn't circle a date on the calendar for the spring of 2010; board your canines; and take a road trip. There are oh so many places that can be seen right along the road, with a short hike, or if you feel like it a long hike or backpacking trip. No different than what you do in Oregon, just a different state, different terrain, and a little longer (but interesting) drive to get there. DO IT! OMT
Bob Spomer and lofty3 added this photo to their favorites.
lofty3 (31 months ago | reply)
Stunning..absolutely stunning !
oldmantravels (31 months ago | reply)
Anja - - There is a reason my friend, John, is a professional photographer and his skill really shows with a photo like this. I will pass along the well deserved kudos to him for a photo well taken. Thanks (I enjoy your climbing photos and note that carrying your food in a backpack or daypack - - doesn't keep you from eating great meals. You have your priorities right! OMT
utdesertduo added this photo to his favorites. (31 months ago)
Danielle Foto Fun (30 months ago | reply)
Great reflection. I love the color!
oldmantravels (30 months ago | reply)
Danielle - - you have great taste in photographs. This one was taken by a true photographer (John). He is a retired photography teacher at the high school level and his wife currently teaches photography as well. John doesn't take half as many photographs as I do when we hike together but when he does stop to take a photo, you know it is going to be good (like this one). Thanks for your visit to my flickr photo site. OMT
alexsterling743 and beegardener added this photo to their favorites.
eyes have it (23 months ago | reply)
Wonderful. Enjoyed your set. Makes me want to take off and travel to these beautiful areas!! Love the composition
oldmantravels (23 months ago | reply)
Dale - - It was good to have a professional photographer and friend along on this hike. John took this photo and captured the beauty of this special canyon, well. I have visited your country many years ago and enjoyed getting out and about the mountains (north of Melbourne) and seeing some of the coast. Nice people too. I hope your travels may one day take you to Southern Utah, if you like landscapes and canyons like Neon Canyon. Good traveling to you. OMT
jacint.dinares added this photo to his favorites. (23 months ago)
pixie1339 (21 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous! Love the reflection!
Jenn Grover and houstonryan added this photo to their favorites.
light detail (8 months ago | reply)
This is just incredible! Beautiful capture indeed!
light detail added this photo to his favorites. (8 months ago)
oldmantravels (8 months ago | reply)
Jacob - - I will see the photographer next week and will pass along your compliment to him. OMT
oldmantravels (8 months ago | reply)
Lisa - - Sorry. I see I missed your comment. Thanks, over a year late. Smile. OMT
(Nicole) and Dan Anderson. added this photo to their favorites.
Dan Anderson. (3 months ago | reply)
stunning!
oldmantravels (3 months ago | reply)
Dan - - I have three friends who fall into the classification of "professional photographers" (John, Ed, and Fred) and the results they achieve show their talent. John took his time to compose this photograph and clearly it was the best photograph of our road trip. OMT