The Landscape Thread

[SpecialK]

Hi, Lukas.

It's only 45 min NE of Las Vegas if you get out that way. Take plenty of water. It was about 85 degrees last week - even more in the summer.

[Geoff Chandler]

SpecialK
Those are amazing rock formations - and really colourfull
in the full sunlight! You can really see an elephant in the
Elephant Rock. I quite like the picnic area shot - it seems to be a
very natural looking image and depicts the heat along with the
awesomeness of the area
They are all fantastic shots!

[SpecialK]

Thanks, Geoff!

Here are some from my next big stop - Zion National Park in SE Utah.

The view from the Emerald Pools trail.


The Upper Emerald Pool.


Bridge Mountain from the Watchman trail.


Zion Canyon from the Watchman Overlook.


On the way to Observation Point (the top).


Entering Echo Canyon.


Exiting.


Angel's Landing across the canyon. The final part of that trail is about 3ft wide, with a chain hand-rail.


After a 4 mile hike, the view from Observation Point, highest trail in the canyon. Dark rock near the center is Angel's Landing. The Organ is the smaller feature at the end of the gooseneck. Across from them is the Great White Throne.


Weeping Rock.

[Phill D]

That's one cool holiday SpecialK it's a shame the exchange rate is so poor this year looks like we'll be staying this side of the pond. So your shots will have to do. Like Geoff said they are very spectacular rocks. Keep posting they are great to see.

[Geoff Chandler]

Another spectacular set of images from your holiday Kyle -
my favourite from that selection is Zion Canyon from the Watchman Overlook
such a sense of depth in that shot!!!

[SpecialK]

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone.

Here is Canyon Overlook Trail which starts next to the eastern entrance station at Zion.

After a couple stairways at the start, you'll hit this walkway.


Around the corner is this recessed area. The guy was from Kansas, a mostly flat farm state.


The rather narrow trail flattens out in this area.




Only 1/2 mile out is the end of the trail. Zion Canyon runs left to right in the background. The view is down Pine Creek Canyon, with the switchback road out of the park.


At the end of the trail.


This must have some local name, but I don't know what it is.


Heading back. The bridge was built in the 1930's. It enters a mile-long tunnel to the right.

[SpecialK]

Next big stop is Bryce Canyon, still in Utah. This is Fairyland Loop trail that has a 2,300' elevation change...

From the roadside viewpoint.


These are on the trail...














4 miles and 1 hour 45 minutes later is the Tower Bridge.


The next 1.7 miles is mostly uphill to the top again.


Then another 2+ miles back to the original parking area = 8 miles.

[SpecialK]

Still wheezing from the last hike, these are all easy ones from the edge of the viewpoints :-)

Rainbow Point at 9,115' is at the southern end of the road.


Agua Canyon (right and left views) is at 8,800'.




Natural Bridge at 8,627'. I might have another shot later.


Farview Point at 8,819'.


Inspiration Point (lower area) at 8,100'. The flat feature in the left distance is Boat Mesa. The smaller slanting feature, right of center rear, is the Sinking Ship.


Inspiration Point (the middle area, I think). The green canyon from lower left to the center is the "actual" Bryce Canyon, which was Ebenezer Bryce's backyard around 1875.


Paria View at 8,175'.


Bryce Point (grotto area) at 8,300'.


Bryce Point view.

[Gintaras]

hope they qualify for landscape, a few shots on the go

[raven15]

Close enough for me. I really like the 2nd one. The tones and soft vs. hard areas and composition are very good.