I just returned from my first trip to Death Valley. I also had the op to visit some bomber places on my drive out there!
The trip began in Steamboat Springs, Colo. About three hours Southwest lies the Colorado National Monument, located in Fruita. The 23-mile scenic drive has a series of spectacular vistas. Absolutely worth checking out as you venture West on I70.
The following day, I took some remote jeep roads into the mountains to explore the San Rafael Swell. Accessed off I70 this area is known for an amazing overlook referred to as “The Wedge”. The image below was taken immediately after a breaking snowstorm with a drone. The best part of the canyon can only be shot effectively remotely. I flew about 1 mile into the canyon to get this perspective.
Day three (& another 3 hours West) lies the town of St George, Utah, and Snow Canyon (often referred to as the little sister of Zion Nat Park). This uncrowded State Park features interesting pools of water that form immediately after a good rain or snowstorm.
The image below was taken with a drone, looking North.
And finally, the main event: Death Valley. There are certainly some amazing sand dunes:
But also some otherworldly landscapes, like Badwater Basin (shown at dusk and under the Milky Way below).
Talk about unusual, “Race Track” (NW corner of the park) is known for unique rocks that appear to be walking along the clay desert floor. In reality, ice forming under these bad boys, along with fierce winter winds actually cause the movement. To grab this shot under the Milky Way, a buddy and myself ventured out on the 2-hour drive to the destination at 1 am! Then we walked about 2/3rds of a mile to find a suitable rock. BAM.
At sunrise, a few minutes down the exit road, we were greeted to this crazy image. The jagged foothills to our east formed the unusual shadows below.
Want to see more! Click the link for more images (full Death Valley Gallery): https://www.snitzerphotos.com/Nature-Travel/Galleries/Death-Valley-2021/n-Z2KGRD/