If you’ve been to Zion National Park you know how crowded the main areas are. But the Eastside (east of the tunnel) is much less visited and mostly consists of small pullouts where you can hike the mesas or down into the washes and small side canyons and explore to your heart’s content for hours in near-total solitude. I was delighted to work this area for several days during peak fall colors this October, and for each of these compositions I was the only human standing there. I hope you enjoy these views that caught my eye.
And I would like to wish all of you a Very Happy and Blessed New Year!! I look forward to more photographic inspiration from everyone in 2026.
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Tech info: for these hikes I used my lightweight but full range combo of Sony 16-35/4 PZ and Tamron 50-300 - both lenses are wonderful performers at landscape apertures. Some days I also used the Sony 24-105/4 which is quickly becoming a favorite (my copy is superb). Cameras were A7RV. Of note is a new-to-me tripod added for this trip, an FLM CP30-L4 II with a small but mighty Markins Emille ballhead - this combo is much lighter and smaller than my usual 4-series Gitzo with big head and it’s a joy to use, I recommend it.
keepclicking wrote:
Ross, you have an eye for spotting subjects that most would miss. You had a very nice fall outing. Thanks for sharing. Have an amazing 2026.
Great shots! You caught some really popping colors there.
I've never been brave enough to park on the pull offs on that east side road. The times I've been, the traffic was nuts and didn't give much opportunity for it.
The Rat wrote:
Great shots! You caught some really popping colors there.
I've never been brave enough to park on the pull offs on that east side road. The times I've been, the traffic was nuts and didn't give much opportunity for it.
Thanks, Patrick! Yes, there can be a lot of cars along that east section. On this trip I found it was better to arrive in late afternoon when there was more open pullout parking and hike/shoot until dusk. Some of the pullouts are quite roomy. The most challenging thing is trying to turn around (especially in a big truck), there is no good and safe place for that. I miss the years there before cell phone cameras and social media - that east section used to have almost no vehicles. But thankfully most people don’t hike down into those washes/canyons so it’s still a great place for solitude and finding your own compositions.
Great images!!! Can you tell us the month and approximate date these were shot? I have never timed the fall foliage there as well as you did in these shots.
billsnature wrote:
Great images!!! Can you tell us the month and approximate date these were shot? I have never timed the fall foliage there as well as you did in these shots.
Thank you, Bill! These images were made from October 26 through 29.
I visited this park many years ago and remember walking around on East side of the park but my eyes missed everything you saw. I like how you used the wash lines to lead me into the image. Nice work
CA_Fstop wrote:
I visited this park many years ago and remember walking around on East side of the park but my eyes missed everything you saw. I like how you used the wash lines to lead me into the image. Nice work
Thank you very much! There is a lot of beauty hidden in those washes and small side canyons.
. I like how you used the wash lines to lead me into the image. Nice work