Fuji XT-30 APC-S 75 mm f/11 1/80 sec base ISO 160
Fuji XT-30 APC-S 65 mm f/11 1/50 sec ISO 200
Chimney Rock, detail. These towering structures are also seen in the image of Chimney Rock above, but from much farther away. The backlands of Utah are like fractal patterns which continue to create new detail as you move in closer. I took this image from the trail which passes just under these great structures - standing defiant in the glow of the afternoon sun! The barely visible trees at the top give a sense of their immense scale.
The view looking east from Torrey, Utah to the canyon walls of Capitol Reef with the snow-capped peaks of South Ridge Summit and Mt. Pennell at 11,413 feet in the far distance. Those mountain peaks are 40 miles away but appear much closer due the the foreshortening effect of the telephoto lens. The compositions are similar, but he image on the left was taken at 5pm on April 21, while the image on the right was taken at 6pm on the next day. In the left photo, the cold distant mounts are fully shadowed and create a stark contrast to the warm golden hour light on the foreground and canyon walls. The right photo, now in blue hour, catches the day’s last light climbing the canyon walls and the high peaks. Utah is a photographer’s paradise!
Fujifilm GFX 100s medium format: 200mm f/9 1/100 sec ISO 160.
Fujifilm GFX 100s medium format: 200mm f/11 1/8 sec ISO 500
Fujifilm GFX 100s medium format: 70mm f/11 1/60 sec ISO 100.
Fujifilm XT-30 APS-C: 160mm f/5 1/180 sec ISO 160.
Fuji XT-30 APC-S 70 mm f/13 1/40 sec ISO 125
Burr Trail Road takes a windy path east of Escalante to the south end of Capitol Reef National park. The road climbs to a rim at 6,500 feet from where this image was taken, before descending the notorious Burr Trail Switchbacks down to Grand Gulch hidden behind the majestic cathedrals of Capitol Reef shown here in the foreground. In the distance, Mt Pennell at 11,413 on the left and Mt. Hillers at 10,741 on the right.
Fujifilm XT-30 APS-C: 45mm f/9 1/50sec ISO 1000.
The Head of The Rock overlook at 6,000 feet elevation. Just off Highway 12 heading south from Torrey to Escalante, this lookout provides expansive views out over the North Escalante Canyons, Capitol Reef and Mt. Hillers in the distance at 10,700 feet. I stayed here until well after sunset hoping for spectacular conditions (didn’t happen), but this late afternoon image with scattered lighting nicely highlights the details of the lower red rock canyons in contrast to the soft and hazy snow covered mountain’s in the distance.
Fujifilm GFX 100s medium format: 200mm f/9 1/15sec ISO 100.
This photo was also taken along the Cassidy Arch Trail just as the late afternoon light started to take on the warmth of the ‘golden hour’ before sunset . The trees in the foreground created a nice leading line to the imposing but unnamed rock outcropping in the background. That structure is show in detail on the homepage slideshow.
Fujifilm XT-30 APC-S: 30mm f/10 1/125 sec ISO 160.
Fujifilm XT-30 APC-S: 30mm f/10 1/125 sec ISO 160
This photo was taken along the Cassidy Arch Trail late in the day just as the lighted started to warm before sunset. The light was terrific for photography with scattered clouds creating a nice mix of light and shadow.
Chimney Rock near Torrey, Utah in the Capitol Reef National Park. Although I took several color photos while hiking the loop trail that goes up around the top, I liked how this B&W composition really emphasized the comparative structure and detail of the lone tree and the towering monument.
At the north end of Cottonwood Narrows, the canyon wallf narrow to form this slot canyon. The left canyon wall was stark white in the mid afternoon sun (limestone?) and the right canyon wall just a few feet away was the classic deep red seen throughout much of Utah. The sand at bottom is a mix of erosion from both walls!
The lone tree. Rising unexpectedly and defiantly from crags in the the great canyon walls, I see resilience, independence, and hope.
On the left, at the upper rim of Red Canyon, just North of Bryce Canyon National park. And below, in Cottonwood Narrows. Though not well seen at this resolution, the tree below is actually full of early spring buds!
The city of Fruita, Utah was established at the confluence of Sulfur Creek and the Fremont River by Mormon settlers in 1880. Today, Fruita is a ghost town, and the Sulphur Creek basin has become part of the Capitol Reef National Park. There are still orchards in the river basin, and you can buy fruit pies made with the local harvest.
Most striking though are the cottonwood trees that grow throughout the entire basin. Here, the early spring foliage captures the glowing late afternoon light and gives great contrast to the towering red rock canyon walls behind.
Fujifilm XT-30 APC-S : 45mm f/10 1/100 sec ISO 160
Fujifilm XT-30 APC-S: 35mm f/11 1/80 sec ISO 160
Utah 2023
My wife and I went to the Capital Reef National Park in April of 2023 for about 10 days. We rented a four-wheel drive vehicle and stayed initially around the city of Torrey and then moved South and spent some time around Escalante. We did several day trips together on the endless dirt roads and as well as both hikes and runs through the narrower canyons.
I also went out in the evenings to grab some terrific Sunset images. Overall we were fortunate and had amazing light the entire trip. In addition, the early spring foliage was just starting to bud- creating beautiful contrasts with the red rock walls, the higher desert planes, and the snowcapped mountains in the distance.
Utah is a photographer’s Paradise! Definitely hope to return to this area in the future. Maybe next time in the fall to capture some of the autumn colors.