Last Light On Ibex Dunes
Last Light On Ibex Dunes
Death Valley NP, CA
Ibex Dunes are one of the best-kept secrets in Death Valley and one of my favorite dunes to photograph. They are located in the southernmost part of the park, approximately 2.5 hours from Furnace Creek. Few people visit this remote location, which means there are limited to no footprints!
These modest-sized dunes stretch roughly 1.5 miles long and .5 miles wide, with peaks about seven to ten stories high. There are five main dunes (3 larger and two smaller) that run in a north-south direction, so the afternoon and golden sunset light will illuminate the right side. From the small parking area, the hike to the dunes is about 1.5 miles.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
II rate this trail's difficulty as 3 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult.
The drive to Ibex Dunes is about 9 miles off of HWY 127. The first 6 miles are over an old gravel road filled with washboards (10 - 20 mph). The final 3 miles are easier but still involve driving over rocks, washboards, and some sand. The GPS coordinates for the trailhead (a small, unmarked parking area) is 35°41'40.6"N 116°23'36.6"W. From the trailhead, it is a moderate 1.5-mile walk to the dunes.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
270 Ft. Elevation
Photography Tips
When photographing sand dunes, I am usually looking for compression shots, abstracts, or moods created by curves and shadows.
Ibex Dunes offers several great options for landscape photographers and consists of five dunes that run north-south. This is great for late afternoon to sunset, as the golden sunset light will illuminate from the west. The dunes stretch about 1.5 miles long and the best light can be short-lived at the beginning or end of the day. So try to arrive early and scout out your potential shots well before the best light.
Don’t be too quick to leave the dunes at sunset, as sometimes you can capture some great shots during the blue hour on these magnificent dunes.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the trailhead to Ibex Dunes
From Shoshone, CA - drive south on CA-127 for 26.5 miles until you get to a gravel road (called Saratoga Springs Rd). Take the gravel road for approximately 6.5 miles until you see a sign pointing to Saratoga Springs. Drive on this road (sometimes has some sand) for approximately 3.6 miles until you see a small parking area (you will see the sign below).
From the trailhead (parking area), walk east toward the dunes for about 1.5 miles. The location of the shot is between the north and south dunes.
View In Google earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 123 mm
Exposure – 1/500 sec @ f 4.5
ISO – 640
Date – January 20th
Time – 4:50 pm
Best Time of Day to Shoot
The best time to shoot the Ibex Dunes is late afternoon, sunset, dusk, dawn, and sunrise.
Best Time of Year
The best times to photograph the Ibex Dunes are late Fall through late Spring, as the Summer months are completely unbearable.
The image above was taken on January 20th
Lens(es) Needed
When photographing the dunes, I like to take my telephoto lenses ranging from 100 mm - 500 mm.
The image above was taken 123 mm.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
Ibex Dunes are located in Death Valley National Park. An entrance fee of $35, valid for 7 days, is required and can be purchased at the visitor center. Once inside the park, no additional permits are necessary.
Direction of the Shot
The shot is facing southeast at around 110°.
Equipment Needed
Dune photography can be great fun and sometimes challenging. Scouting around Ibex Dunes, you can easily walk 2-3 miles with moderate elevation gain, and trekking up sand dunes with a camera bag can take its toll. So obviously, plan for plenty of liquids, snacks, a hat, sunscreen, and a compass.
From a photography standpoint, make sure you bring a sturdy tripod (for potential multiple exposures or focus stacking) and a good camera bag to store your equipment in. Also, I would strongly suggest bringing along a GPS device to mark potential compositions during scouting and to help you find your way back to the parking lot after the sun goes down.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Ibex Dunes is not known to many and is located in the southernmost part of the park, approximately 2.5 hours from Furnace Creek, so few people visit this remote location, which means there are limited to no footprints! At sunrise (or sunset), you will most likely be the only person at this location.
Weather
The weather in Death Valley is relatively mild during the spring and fall. Winters are pleasant during the day, but nighttime temperatures can drop into the 20s. If you are hiking, be aware that temperatures can drop significantly after sunset.
Cell Service
Surprise, surprise. Ibex Dunes is one of the few places (if not the only) in Death Valley with full cell service. However, traveling north toward Shoshone, you will lose your cell service.
Area Guides and Workshops
None