Mesa Arch
Canyonlands National Park, UT
MESA ARCH
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF MESA ARCH
The Mesa Arch is the “crown jewel” of the Canyonlands National Park. It is truly one of the great wonders of the southwest and provides a view you will never see anywhere else in the world.
What makes the Mesa Arch so special is the combination of several improbable events coming together at the same spot. First, you have an oddly placed arch teetering on the ledge of a 1,000ft. vertical drop. Then you have this magical red glow that only appears under the arch for the first hour or so after sunrise. And finally, you have this unworldly view of Buck Canyon with its moon-like floor and perfectly placed monuments. All of this topped with a spectacular view of the rugged White Rim and the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
When you first see the red glow under the arch at sunrise you cannot help but to be astonished, and looking around you ask yourself, “How did this happen?”
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH MESA ARCH SUMMARY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike to the Mesa Arch is a moderate ¼ mile hike from the parking lot. The trail is well maintained and well marked.
This shot can be easy or difficult, depending on your composition, what time of day you shoot, and how many other tourists/photographers are with you at the arch.
Generally, photographers shoot this at sunrise. Depending on what time of year, you could be one of 30 people trying to crowd into a fairly small area. Some tourists can be pushy and downright rude. Just make sure you arrive early, stay focused, and stand your ground.
From a photography standpoint, it is almost impossible to shoot this at sunrise and not blend or HDR the image. The dynamic range of the arch and looking directly into the sun is extreme.
You can shoot the arch from straight on, to the right, to the left, or even a panoramic. I would suggest you scout the location the day before to find your composition. Because once other photographers arrive, there is little positioning.
NOTE: The arch will glow for 1 1/2 to 2 hours after sunrise - so it is not imperative to arrive for sunrise. In fact, the best shots happen about an hour after sunrise, when the early crowds are gone.
There are many compositions available for this shot. You can use lenses ranging from 11-50mm. The arch is about 25ft. across and you will be standing about 5-7ft. from it.
6,127 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
