Nikon D810, 55mm, ISO 200, 1/20 sec, f/13
This is the sunrise view that awaits after one scrambles down, and then up, to the plateau shown in the 14 February 2023 post. Shooting from that small plateau gives the image that hanging in space effect that could not be achieved from the parking lot overlook.
Remember, there are no fences along the edge of the canyon, so be very careful, especially during the hours of darkness. I recommend not going anywhere during darkness that you have not thoroughly scouted during daylight.
Lipan Point: 36.038751° -111.880679°
Nikon D810, 40mm, ISA 200, 1/10 sec, F/13
The little plateau with the trees on it in the center of the image is where I captured sunrise images at Lipan Point. Notice the two people in the image for a sense of scale. First, one must scramble down from the flat ground on the left, then scramble up to the plateau. There are several places where you can scramble down from one plateau and then up the next one. Once on the plateau, you can shoot right or left across the canyon, or straight across to the north rim.
I scouted this area the day prior between capturing sunrise and sunset images at other overlooks. I explored several routes to the top of the plateau and picked the easiest one to do with my loaded photography backpack. I did that route several times to pick out handholds and footholds for the easiest ascent.
I made sure I had a headlamp and two handheld flashlights when I actually made the climb before sunrise. To my surprise, two other photographers arrived in the parking lot when I did, and we all headed to the same plateau. We ended up sharing that little plateau for two hours or so, and then spent equally as long in the parking lot discussing Grand Canyon photography.
Lipan Point: 36.032788° -111.852750°
Grand Canyon Weekend Photography Locations (click to enlarge)
The map above shows the locations where I spent time during my Grand Canyon weekend. By the way, a single weekend is not enough time to photograph the Grand Canyon properly. Unfortunately, I was limited by my work schedule to a late Friday to early Sunday visit. I would have liked more sunrises and sunsets to photograph from different locations.
During summer hours, you must ride shuttles to many of these locations, especially to the west of the main visitors center. No worries tho, the shuttles run early enough to catch sunrise anywhere in the park.
I planned my days around sunrise and sunset so there are lots of pictures taken at several of the points. I started on a Friday at the Grand Canyon Visitor center for sunset at Mather Point. Sunrise Saturday was at Yaki Point, sunset Saturday at Yavapai Point, and finished with Sunday sunrise at Moran Point as I was leaving the park. Each number on the map represents the number of images taken at each point.
Photographing sunrise and sunset, combined with the drive back to Tusayan every night, made for one sleep-deprived photographer.
From left to right, using the numbers as a guide, here are the areas I visited during the weekend.
- 9 – Mohave Point
- 20 – Hopi Point
- 33 – Village Area
- 19 – Verkamp’s Visitor Center
- 136 – Yavapai Point
- 23 – Grand Canyon Visitor Center
- 51 – Yaki Point
- 26 – Moran Point
- 4 – Lipan Point
- 41 – Desert View Watchtower
