3rd Annual Redrock Destination GTG June 11-16

03/23/2009 10:24:29 AM · #151

Originally posted by Artifacts:

37° 9' 20.48" N
111° 45' 6.87" W

Nice!

Message edited by author 2009-03-23 10:25:11.

03/25/2009 11:05:17 AM · #152

From another thread about GPS

Originally posted by dacrazyrn:

There are links, info, and instructions here at gpsfiledepot.com. Alot of garmin stuff and maps (FREE) to load up on a GPS. I am sure some stuff works with Magellan, but never looked.

If you have a Garmin you can find some great free topo maps of Utah and Arizona.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM

04/18/2009 11:54:54 AM · #153

We are less than 2 months away!

It is starting to feel real. From now on, we'll be solidifying plans and getting all the details ready. Make sure you let us know what your priorities are for visiting and time spent.

Becky

phlover

Canon EOS-50D

04/20/2009 11:39:07 AM · #154

Hey guys,

I couldn't find a permit for those days, but I could get them for July the 5th. I need some advise, I'm going to the Wave (those are the permits I got) but I also want to see the grand canyon, and all the rest of the beauties in the area. I plan to go for a week. Where do you recommend me to stay? Is it a good option to stay in Las vegas since I've never been there either??? if I stay somewhere else which airport do you recommend me to go to... Any advise will be really appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/20/2009 04:41:08 PM · #155

Originally posted by phlover:

Howdy neighbor, I didn't realize that there was another DPC'er in Miami that I didn't know about.

It sounds like you could duplicate my first trip to the area with the addition of The Wave. I didn't go to
The Wave on my first trip from Miami to the area, I went during the Red Rock GTG in 2007.

On my first trip I flew into Las Vegas because we can take advantage of excellent airfare from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to Vegas and stayed there for my first night since it was a late afternoon flight and I wanted my son to enjoy our stay at the Excalibur. Once out of Vegas we drove to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and stayed at the lodging there. I highly recommend staying there because it puts you pretty much right on the edge of the Grand Canyon. I've heard that the North Rim is less crowded than the South Rim and with a week to tool around you pretty much have to choose between the two because it is so far to drive around to the other. While at the North Rim you can hike around and/or down into the Canyon and drive to various other points of interest.

Next stop: The Lake Powell Resort and Marina. We spent a day on a boat on my first trip there and then I "Captained" the boat for the GTG in 2007.

- -

Again, I highly recommend renting a boat for a day on the Lake. During the GTG we stayed the 5 nights or so at the resort. Page is right next to the Lake Powell Resort and Marina and a very short drive to Horseshoe Bend.

Also nearby Page is The Toadstools

and Antelope Canyon

Next, fit in your trip to The Wave. I don't think that I need to detail The Wave since you seem to already know about it but here is a pic anyway of a part that is not quite as recognizable as the more iconic view.

Here is what the hike to The Wave looks like

Now you start heading back towards Vegas with two more (planned) stops. Bryce Canyon (which I haven't been to yet) and Zion National Park. Accomodations for Zion National Park can be found inside the park itself or in many motels at either of the two entrances to the park. The motel is where we stayed on my first trip to the Red Rock area and I found ours to be nice, clean and affordable. A less traveled area at Zion is the west side along the Virgin River. This area affords nice views of Zion in the distance

- -

This planned itinerary with some unplanned stops and side trips should easily round out a week for you. As far as your question about staying in Las Vegas, that's up to you and whether or not you want to compromise some good shooting time in more natural environments for what you know Vegas is about. For me, I would not stay there if I was only going for myself and if I wanted to maximize my photography time. There are a lot of photographic opportunities in Las Vegas if that's what you want to shoot, but it's not for me. I'd like to maximize my time out in the boonies instead.

edit to add/clarify: If you were asking about opinions as to whether or not you should consider staying in Las Vegas the whole time and make daytrips to these places then my answer is definitely not. You would be limiting yourself too much since a lot of what there is to see in a week would require far too much driving. You're better off taking advantage of the cheap airfare into Las Vegas, renting a car, and staying at some lodging where you end up.

Lodging: I highly recommend making all of your reservations based on your planned itinerary, especially for the Grand Canyon (North Rim). The Grand Canyon usually books up far in advance.

Car rental: Despite what you might have heard, a 4x4 is not necessary. You might like to spring for the extra cost just to feel comfortable but you don't need to. That's my opinion, but then again I have beat up some rental cars in my travels. Once, in The Dominican Republic, I hit a huge crater in the road and the front grill landed on my hood several seconds later. I never saw it come off and was quite surprised to see it hit the windshield and land on the hood so long after hitting that bump.

But that's another story.

Message edited by author 2009-04-20 16:51:56.

phlover

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM

04/22/2009 09:41:49 AM · #156

Thank you, thank you, thank you very much

yakatme for your big help....I'm sure it's going to be fun!!!!

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

04/29/2009 05:51:26 PM · #157

Hi all - I'm sorry to say that I will be cancelling out of the Redrock GTG this year. Maybe I'll see you next year as I love going down there. This years outing sounds so good too, damn!

I'm in the middle of a very demanding and time consuming (although very satisfying) Alpine Mountaineering & Climbing class that has me out to classroom sessions one of my weeknights and out in the mountains every weekend for 2 and 3 day trips. Seems I bit off a little more than I can chew and it does not end until June 9th. That just does not give me much time to recover and drive down let alone get some of my "honey-do" list done that has been being ignored all these weeks.

Have fun without me.

J.B.

BTW - If interested you can take a peak at what I've been up to at the link below. I'll be posting more of the past events and of course the new ones after each weekends outing. We have some pretty spectacular places left on the list to visit in the high country and and some rock climbing coming up.

Mountaineering Class

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

04/29/2009 10:37:21 PM · #158

One further FYI - I canceled my room at the Treasure Trails so if someone is still looking for one it should be available as of now.

04/30/2009 08:31:14 AM · #159

Damn, there goes my ride!
Sounds like you to do have a full plate, hope the class goes well and you have a great time with it. See you next year!

John

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

05/06/2009 10:14:20 AM · #160

I have drafted

RDEittreim into action for this GTG. He's a good egg and should be fun to have on the trip, and just as important he has wheels so my ride issue is resolved.

Message edited by author 2009-05-06 10:14:49.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/09/2009 11:36:53 AM · #161

John, glad to hear of your drafting and having a ride.

Everyone, I've just been transfered schools, effective July 1, so on top of the normal close school and get ready to open up again in 3 weeks (I'm a year round school), I have to train my successor and learn my new school. I also have a photo exhibit (sole exhibitor) that begins the 1st of June that hasn't been prepared. That means my life if VERY busy.

All that means my time is tight, so in order for this GTG to work, we'll all need to step forward and take a piece of the GTG to make sure it all comes together.

Please make sure you've made your reservations for the Treasure Trail Motel if you plan on staying there. I will letting go of the hold on the rooms on Wednesday, May 13th. The contact information is in the 1st post.

If you want to do the research and planning for a day of shooting, just post your interest here. Thanks.
Becky

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/13/2009 08:55:26 AM · #162

An update:

I'll be in Kanab sometime on the 12th. I'm still hoping to do the Yellow Rock hike with jrtodd and act as a guide for a hoodoo swing in the southern section of the Grand Staircase National Monument(GSNM) with anyone interested.

My Agenda:
I will be in Las Vegas for two nights, the 10th and the 11th, for some nightlight photography before driving up to Kanab early on the 12th. In the morning while on the way to Kanab I tentatively plan a swing through Red Rock State Park just north of LV. I have two nights accommodations booked in Kanab for the 12th and 13th then don't know where I'm sleeping after that. LOL!!! I'll likely be going into the interior of the GSNM after the 12th to be gobbled up forever into the vast unknown. :)

quiche

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 ASPH

05/16/2009 11:52:04 PM · #163

Alas, I'm going to have to bow out. Hope you all have a great time.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

05/17/2009 12:14:57 AM · #164

Originally posted by Artifacts:

NOT funny Steve ;)

PhantomEWO

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/24/2009 12:04:42 PM · #165

Just a quick note. I was planning on making it but my Dad just past away yesterday from heart failure. I will need to spend time with my Mom. Enjoy and I'll try to make the next one.

Don

05/26/2009 02:46:13 PM · #166

Originally posted by PhantomEWO:

Just a quick note. I was planning on making it but my Dad just past away yesterday from heart failure. I will need to spend time with my Mom. Enjoy and I'll try to make the next one.

Don

You'll be missed.

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I sure he will be missed.
Becky

Nald

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/29/2009 12:12:32 AM · #167

Don I'm so sorry to hear about your father, my best to you and your family in this difficult time.

I to will not be able to make this trip, I've had just about every vehicle I own have a minor to major repair come up in the last two months. Completely dissolving the money I had put away for this trip and then some. :(

Sorry guys, I'm super bummed about not making this one, perhaps next time.

Steve

06/02/2009 11:10:18 AM · #168

Well, it looks like it is just John, John's friend, Steve and my family. I haven't heard from anyone else, even with PMs. That means we'll hike and move alot. I know you guys.

I've rented a Nikon 14-24 f2.8 wide angle and a 16mm fisheye to add to my gear and work with my D700. I love ultra wides with landscape. They just arrived today, so I get to try them out before the trip.

Life is sooooo hectic that I am looking forward to nothing but early morning, mid-day, and late night shoots. It will be restful compared to the life I'm trying to live right now.

Looking forward to seeing you.
Becky

Message edited by author 2009-06-02 13:31:27.

06/02/2009 11:32:10 AM · #169

Just me, Ryan isn't going either. I rented a car for the trip, not an expense I was looking forward to but, oh well.

Looks like we'll get to spend some real quality time together Becky! It's going to be a fun trip I'm sure.

06/02/2009 12:44:42 PM · #170

Originally posted by rjkstesch:

I've rented a Nikon 12-14 f2.8 wide angle

Nikon has a new lens? :-O

06/02/2009 01:30:58 PM · #171

Originally posted by jrtodd:

Originally posted by rjkstesch:
I've rented a Nikon 12-14 f2.8 wide angle

Nikon has a new lens? :-O

Yikes! My fingers won't type right. It's the Nikor 14-24mm 2.8 ultra wide. It is fairly new. But not a 12-14.