Trip Report: Winter Wonders of the Southwest - January 2024

The enchanting Southwest Desert, where beauty knows no bounds and every season brings its own unique charm. While many may associate this region with scorching heat and arid landscapes, winter is a truly magical time to explore the Colorado Plateau, the backdrop for our BCJ Winter Wonders of the Southwest trip. From the awe-inspiring depths and majestic views of the Grand Canyon to the otherworldly formations around Page, AZ, there were countless wonders waiting to be discovered and photographed!

The Desert Southwest, and specifically the Colorado Plateau, is a region that effortlessly captivates visitors with its timeless beauty, regardless of the time of year. With its vast expanses of rugged terrain, stunning rock formations, and vibrant sunrises and sunsets, this arid landscape offers a visual feast for the senses. Winter adds another dimension to the landscape, with the addition of the white stuff, snow. Typically found only in the higher elevations of the plateau, if one is lucky, snow will make it down to the lower reaches. Timing is crucial for this to happen however, and our timing for this trip was just a bit off for much snow at the rim of the Grand Canyon. However, that is the nature of the area, it is STILL beautiful and provides countless photo opportunities regardless of conditions.

During the winter months, when temperatures dip and crowds thin out, the desert takes on a whole new persona. The air becomes crisper, adding a refreshing bite to your adventures. The absence of scorching heat allows you to explore at a leisurely pace, taking in every intricate detail without rushing from shade to shade.

Although we did not see a lot of snow at the lower elevations of our trip, we did see quite a bit at the higher reaches of the Plateau, as was apparent at our first shooting location, just outside of Flagstaff. We were treated to a beautiful sunrise, with surreal clouds over the San Francisco Peaks. We were lucky to experience scenes like this later in the trip on Navajo Mountain, as well as a stop overlooking the North Rim and the Vermilion Cliffs. One cannot deny the allure of witnessing snow-capped peaks against a stunning and colorful landscape like the Colorado Plateau. It's like nature has painted her own masterpiece – contrasting white against earthy reds and oranges. This juxtaposition creates an ethereal atmosphere that feels almost surreal.


Our next location after our morning in Flagstaff was the South rim of the Grand Canyon: an awe-inspiring wonder that needs no introduction. Its sheer size and majestic beauty make it a must-visit destination for any photographer. Standing at the rim, one can feel the power of nature as your eyes take in the vastness of this natural masterpiece. Gazing over the rim, one will be astounded by its layers upon layers of colorful rock formations. The Colorado River winding through the bottom adds to its allure, carving out deep gorges over millions of years.

Our group was able to explore the hiking trails along the rim with considerably fewer crowds and we were rewarded with breathtaking views and photo opportunities at every turn. Of course, we focused many of our shots on the jaw-dropping beauty of sunrises and sunsets. Despite clear skies during our time at the canyon, we were able to photograph the simply stunning blue hours. During Civil Twilight we witnessed the canyon bathed in the beautiful soft, blue-hued light of pre-dawn and post-sunset. It was a photographer's dream come true. With the crisp, crystal clear air, the Belt of Venus with its pinkish glow was prominent and with the contrasting colors of the canyon, created an awe-inspiring scene.

When visiting this place, one thing is certain: there's nothing quite like experiencing the grandeur of the Grand Canyon firsthand. It's a testament to Earth's incredible geological history and a place where nature reveals itself in all its glory. I find this place never grows old to photograph, as each visit is unique and always stunning.

The next portion of the trip had us heading East and North, toward the town of Page, Arizona. Known as the gateway to Lake Powell, Page also boasts a plethora of natural wonders that leave one in awe. From mesmerizing slot canyons to towering hoodoos and expansive views, Page has an abundance of shooting locations and subjects to offer the avid Landscape photographer.

Once we were in Page we headed to the majestic beauty of Antelope Canyon. These famous slot canyons are like no other - with narrow passageways that reveal incredible light beams dancing off the sandstone walls. It's an absolute paradise for photographers and nature lovers alike. As a photography tour, we were allowed to take our time within the canyon and photograph at a much more leisurely pace than a standard outing. A huge advantage to a BCJ trip.

Just a short drive from Page lies another geological marvel known as the Toadstools. Here, we found a stunning collection of hoodoos - tall, thin spires of rock that seem to defy gravity. These “toadstools,” or hoodoos, form because Dakota Sandstone boulders perch atop pedestals of softer Entrada Sandstone. As the Entrada erodes away, the harder Dakota forms a cap and leaves a rock column sheltered from water and wind. As we wandered through this surreal landscape, it felt like we had been transported into another world altogether. We also made a stop along Smokey Mountain Road for incredible photo opportunities of bewildering balancing rocks and landscapes that could resemble moonscapes.

And of course, no visit to Page would be complete without a visit to the famous Horseshoe Bend. This iconic viewpoint offers panoramic views of the mighty Colorado River as it curves gracefully around a massive horseshoe-shaped bend in the canyon below. The sheer grandeur of this sight is simply breathtaking and with it being off-season, it afforded our group a much less crowded experience.

Throughout the trip, our group melded beautifully as we shared stories, experiences, and image ideas. Everyone talked about how we might be able to put together a reunion trip each year, because of this harmony. It is these moments that make guiding so satisfying! Bringing together a group of strangers that come away from the trip not only with unforgettable and rewarding images and experiences but also memorable and enriching relationships.