Family Road Trip to Utah (Part 2)

almost 3 years ago

Let's continue with my little family road trip to Utah in Part 2. If you missed Part 1, you can read the post here.

After visiting Arches, Canyonlands, and the Dead Horse state park for a few days, it was time to get back on the road. Our next destination for this stretch of the trip was Capitol Reef. I knew little about this national park but the drive there was scenic as is most of Utah. I did not take a single image from Capitol Reef during our brief drive through the small park. The park was lovely but I believe to see the true beauty of this place you would have to explore the canyons on foot. There was so much potential there but not from the road side unlike Canyonlands.

In planning the trip to our next stop, Bryce Canyon, I decided to travel the famous Scenic Byway 12. Let me tell you that the journey along that highway was stunning! We passed through expansive meadows, pine and aspen forests, alpine national forest, the mountain pass, canyons, red rock cliffs and along Grand Escalante national monument. I would highly recommend that road to anyone traveling between the national parks. Below are some images from a rest stop at the peak of the mountain.

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 34mm, f11, 1/200 sec, ISO400}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 262mm, f11, 1/640 sec, ISO400}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 358mm, f11, 1/800 sec, ISO400}

This is a sunset scene from our drive along the Scenic Byway 12 near Escalante. Well worth it if you get the opportunity to visit Utah. I’d love to return to explore these canyons.

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 17mm, f9, 1/50 sec, ISO800}

We finally made it to Bryce after a day of traveling. I had seen images of this national park online but seeing it in person was so different. What stood out to me was the grand scale of the place and those iconic hoodoos. Photographing the red sandstone formations with snow was extra special.

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/640 sec, ISO200}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/250 sec, ISO100}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 100mm, f11, 1/500 sec, ISO200}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 192mm, f11, 1/1000 sec, ISO200}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 100mm, f11, 1/640 sec, ISO200}

After exploring Bryce Canyon, we hit the road and arrived in Zion the next day. I wanted to save Zion last because it one of the parks I most wanted to see in person. We traveled through the East Entrance and followed the road along the canyon. In Bryce, you are often looking down on the grand landscape. In Zion, you are looking up as massive canyon walls tower over you. The place is simply beautiful to drive through especially going through the Zion Carmel Tunnel which is high up and only allows one way traffic. Definitely an experience.

This image of my little family at Zion is one of my favorites from the entire trip. I actually have a print of it hanging in our home. The colorful mountainsides at Zion were beautiful. It was surreal being there since the only times I have seen Zion was from watching Ben Horne’s trip vlogs on his YouTube channel. I definitely want to return for a solo trip to explore the canyons.

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/400 sec, ISO200}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 21mm, f11, 1/320 sec, ISO200}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 21mm, f11, 1/250 sec, ISO200}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/400 sec, ISO100}

^{Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 25mm, f11, 1/160 sec, ISO100}

Whew! We get to the end of the trip. I know I packed a lot in during our week long journey through Utah. It was a blast spending time with my wife, son, and puppies in the camper van. Those were wonderful memories I will greatly treasure. I would definitely do it again.

Alfredo Mora Photography Utah-30-6.jpg

^{Smartphone image of our rental van}

Here is one final image on one of our rest stops on way back home to Colorado. The open road is so good us. With all that is going on in the world, I hope you can get away a bit and find yourself a nice long stretch of open road. Safe journey!