Sentinel Sunrise
Zion NP, UT
Sentinel Sunrise
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF SENTINEL SUNRISE
With its towering pink walls, majestic monoliths, raging rivers, and a world-famous slot canyon, Zion National Park provides some of the most beautiful views found anywhere in the American Southwest. Though a relatively small national park by area, Zion is the third most visited park in the US and is a paradise for adventurers, hikers, and photographers. People come from around the world to hike and photograph the Subway, Watchman, Narrows, Archangel Falls, and the awe-inspiring Angels Landing.
Of all the many wonderful scenes in Zion, one of my favorites is witnessing the first sunlight illuminating the West Temple, Sundial, Alter of Sacrifice and the Sentinel along the East facing canyon walls. This incredible red glow is magical and a great way to start a new day. There are several locations to witness and photograph this amazing sunrise. But, unfortunately, you can only choose one per day.
The shot above was taken from a location off the beaten path and provides a spectacular view and perspective of the Sentinel.
Image by Darron Franta
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Depending on where you park, I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult) - as you will either have to scramble slightly uphill or downhill to find a clearing to photograph from.
Try to be at the location several minutes before sunrise, as it may take some time to hike to and find your composition. Then, wait for the sunrise to illuminate the wonderful scene in front of you. Be patient; the light will constantly change and may be better with a little extra time. The image above was taken approximately 45 minutes after the official stated sunrise. Keep in mind there are mountains and peaks to your East, so the light will take time to fully illuminate the Sentinel.
Your shot is facing west - so depending on the time of year, the SUNRISE will come directly behind you (spring and fall), from the right in summer or left in winter.
The main image above was taken @ 16mm.
4,736 Ft. Elevation
Other Resources Available with Membership
KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
Other Resources
LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
