Home Forums Gear Photography A Truly Splendid Place

Yearning for a photo trek rather than a fly fishing venture this weekend, I pointed the truck north from Flagstaff to the Vermilion Cliffs along the Utah border. Awoke Saturday morning to cool temperatures and a hazy sunrise.





Globe Mallow on the Rocks


Upper Badger Creek. Was told that there are Chukar at the base of the cliffs.




With the morning sun reaching washing heights, I steered to the destination of purpose. The road would lead atop the cliffs and sludge in 4wd through 20 miles of sandy two-track to reach this prime photo location. I figured the mid-day arrival would allow me to plan an evening shoot and a that of Sunday morning.

A hoodoo in the making just 3 miles along the way atop the Vermilion Cliffs.


A few unusual early summer rains must have spurred a bloom. Normally June sees 100 degrees here, but this weekend was a pleasant 80*
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09022.jpg[/img]

The white sandstone rocks have the texture of cerebral cortex, hence the name of BRAIN ROCK
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09039.jpg[/img]

After a light shower, the sun returned to light this neat channel.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09054.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09050.jpg[/img]

I was lucky to spend time in the evening with a professional landscape photographer in the main basin as the sun made its way to the horizon. The afternoon storm left us with some nice clouds in the sky.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09102.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09079.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09110.jpg[/img]

The sun disappeared somewhere under Utah in the distance.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09142.jpg[/img]

I turned around from the western view and caught this pastel view.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09141.jpg[/img]

Sunday morning broke to a vermilion sky and only 9 images left on the flashcard. 4 MB is not enough in a place like this.

A morning hoodoo.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09146.jpg[/img]

Some razor edge rock.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09097.jpg[/img]

Must be the notochord to the medulla.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09109.jpg[/img]

Finally, a lone pinyon bonsai in the swirl.
[img]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a...llion%20Cliffs/WhitePocket6-13-09064.jpg[/img]

This was truly a splendid place.

Doug~RR

sweet!

are "wave" permits as hard to get as they say?

Matt,

The BLM website says about 10% chance to "draw" a permit. I find it unbelievable that one has to draw a permit. I might draw another unit 9 archery elk permit before the wave or Middle Fork of the Salmon with those odds.

I went to White Pocket. The other photographer said she heard rumors of BLM considering permits for there even.

Doug~RR

that's why I haven't gone yet. they say you have to show up at 9:00 the day before to get in the drawing for the 10 permits (with 1:10 odds). It's about a 5 hour drive
it seems you can also apply online (for dates four months in advance) with about the same odds for the other 10 permits.
I'm thinking about putting in starting in Aug (for Nov-feb permits). Getting one, I could plan to do N & S buttes + WP in one trip....

A couple of years ago there were chukars in there and also up north of Mexican Hat....

Beautiful pics.....oh yea....its still raining up here..didn't even get to 70* today @ 5900'....

Wow! beautiful pics.

Amazing shots! I was having a terrible day until I saw these. Thank you!

Have been told of Chukars along the Paria near Lees Ferry. Also had some above our camp at 4 foot on a San Juan river trip. Might have to try when I go to ther North Kaibab in September for Blue Grouse. This trip could easily take a week to hunt birds, photo the north rim of the Canyon, and visit White Pocket again. <grin>

Time well spent, even if you don't find the chukars....