You don’t expect to have to stop literally after every turn of this small canyon and just shoot, shoot, shoot. The colors even on a cloudy day as it was that day are so vivid and extraordinary. But Pastel Canyon for me is a truly underestimated place. When I made the routes for this trip I was pretty excited about the opportunity to visit Antelope Canyon (we booked several weeks in advance our guided walk there) as it is really famous among photographers. At the time of our travel there wasn’t a trail sign at the start of the trail (perhaps not to encourage people to park dangerously here), but anyhow we find it, judging by another car, which is stopped nearby and with the help of the GPS I have brought with us. I am sure this trail is also worth it, judging by the view from the rock platform we are sitting on, but Pastel Canyon awaits us.Īs I mentioned earlier it is a bit hard to find a good spot and park the car safely on this part of Mouse’s Tank Road, but somehow we manage. We cannot possibly cover everything in this amazing place in just one day. We agree to skip it and just take some photos from the start of the trail towards the valley below. Just across the road is another great hike from the Valley of Fire – the White Domes trail.
#Valley of fire pictures movie
And the movie “ Gerry” with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck is so vivid in my mind, that actually it is not hard for me to give up the plan without too much hesitation. On our way back to the car we decide to take the longer route directly through the wilderness, along a dry river bed, but at last our senses come back, after we realize there is no trail in this direction and the possibility of getting lost and being catched by heavy rain will definitely ruin the rest of the day. He doesn’t miss a chance to talk to absolutely ANY person we meet when the circumstances allow for it. During our trip I come to realize that my friend is the most talkative and extroverted person I know. I mostly do the clicking, while Krassimir takes the opportunity to speak to some other tourists.
The clouds diffuse the sun just enough to turn the surrounding rocks into an excellent photographic opportunity. We take our time as there is plenty to be shot and the weather is totally on our side – intermittent puffy clouds which turn the place around us in a constant kaleidoscope of shadows and light. Krassimir succeeds in slipping, while climbing down one steep rock, but luckily only my brand new hiking water bottle is bruised, while he and his camera are unscathed. A very pleasant wind is gently blowing on top of one of the nearby rocky hills and for the first time since my arrival I start to understand what a vast place North America is, while looking across the rocky landscape towards the endless horizon. It is around noon, but not too hot as it is October now. The surrounding area is also remarkable – giant rock formations, undulating striated rocks, enormous “ice cream” hills – the landscape is almost surreal. And while in order to see the big Wave you need to participate in a lottery as there are too many eyes willing to observe it, this one is accessible without any complications.
While not so big and curvy as the more famous Wave in Arizona, this one is also spectacular, a real wonder of geology. Our first hike for the day – the Fire Wave. There are convenient parking lots near most of the hiking trails, except for the Pastel Canyon hike, where you need to improvise a little bit. Most of the Valley of Fire National park can be seen by driving along the Mouse’s Tank Road, which crosses the park from end to end. We decide to start at the North end of the park and gradually move towards the Southeast exit from where we will ride on to our next stay for the night – Bryce Way Motel in Panguitch, a mere 206 miles from here. Wildlife is abundant in the Valley of Fire – when entering the park a Desert bighorn sheep crosses our path and while I am looking for good spots behind the Visitors’ center I stumble upon a flock of Gambel’s quail, searching for food and twittering cheerfully.Īt last we pay our tickets, take our map and are ready to enjoy the Valley of Fire.
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