Blog 2 Deep Dive Into the San Rafael Swell

I am planning a photography trip in the San Rafael Swell on October 6th through the 8th to do some Milky Way photography and to photograph the spectacular sandstone formations. We will be going into the heart of the Swell to an area where access is by ATV’s or a HIGH clearance four wheel drive vehicle ONLY. This will be an off-grid camping trip, but it will be SPECTACULAR! The area is remote. We will take our camping gear, photography gear, food and water on our ATV’s or 4 x 4’s. We can do Milky Way photography the nights of the 6th and 7th, as well as photographing sunrises and sunsets and all day if we have the enegry.

THIS IS A NO FEE TRIP. I AM NOT CHARGING A FEE TO LEAD THE TRIP. WE WILL GO AS A GROUP OF FRIENDS WITH NO EXPECTATIONS , NO WORRIES and no liabilities! First Come First Served.

I am inviting anyone that wants to go up to a limit of 8 people. You can bring your own ATV or 4 X 4 or you could rent ATV’s in Ferron, Utah, at Side TRAX Rentals where they have Polaris RAZORs. They have 4 seaters and a couple 2 seaters available. Big Mountain Lodge and Adventures in Ferron also has ATV’s for rent. Three people could share the cost of a four seater if so desired. Three people per four seater would be the limit because we will need to take our gear on the ATV’s. Two people could share a two seater. Gear will need to be minimal. Water will be very important so we will take plenty. You will need to provide yourself with a small tent if desired, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, easily prepared meals and minimal cooking equipment and lots of water. Of course photography gear is up to you also.

I would be willing to help arrange the ATV’s from the Ferron, Utah providers if you need help, but I WOULD NEED TO KNOW ASAP TO RESERVE THE UNITS.

We can plan on spectacularly clear skies (barring clouds of course). This area is in a Bortle Class 2-1 area, with very dark skies. There are no towns or cities in the area. The only possible light sources are vehicles on Interstate 70 but far away and can be avoided. The moon will be new on the 6th and will be as dark as it gets, so the Milky Way will stand out and be fantastic. The core of the Milky Way will be visible from 8:30 to 10:15 and the upper part of the Milky Way for another hour, with Venus on the west and Jupiter and Saturn east of the Milky Way. There will be plenty of time to photograph the Milky Way.

Come on along and we will share our techniques for night photography and teach other some new tricks for photography.

Contact me at bagrimes@gmail.com or phone me at 1+435-609-1963. My contact info is in the Contact button above.

Ben