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Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 1
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Autumn in Grand Canyon Country
“There is a magic here that can help the mind breathe”
― L.M. Browning
Pricing, Dates & Booking
For current pricing, trip dates
& online reservations please
see our website.
Trip Packets
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updated all the time. Ensure you
have the most recent version by
clicking here.
Last Published: April 7, 2020
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 2
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Overview
Autumn is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon. Crowds have
dissipated, and so has the heat.
Autumn color and Grand Canyon are probably an association that many
might not make, but that is because most folks who have visited Grand
Canyon do so at the South Rim where fall colors are indeed a bit sparse.
Grand Canyon just so happens to be 'home' for Backcountry Journeys,
and our photo guides are intimately aware of the mysteries of the
Canyon having a combined 29 years of experience working in-and-
around Grand Canyon. So, for us, who are in the know, the North Rim
of the Grand Canyon is an OUTSTANDING location for autumn colors,
like Quaking Aspen and Canyon Maple which paint the landscape into
a palette of yellows, reds, greens and even whites. A classic autumn
landscape on its own; yet combined with the grandeur of the Grand
Canyon this is a spectacle to behold. This scene simply cannot be
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 3
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
missed by landscape photographers, especially those with an affinity for
the high desert of our country’s desert southwest.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon sits only 10 miles across the great
chasm from the South Rim, yet hosts an entirely different life zone as it
towers roughly 1,000 feet above the south side. Here resides a delicate
spruce-fir forest, characterized by spruce, fir, aspen, and canyon maple
among other trees. The aspen certainly is the major draw here, as the
gold and red leaves contrast well with their glowing white trunks, the
greens of the neighboring fir and spruce, as well as the blue of the sky,
is remarkable.
But, this trip is not only Grand Canyon! We'll visit many of the most
iconic locations in the American Southwest, including Monument
Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell along the
way!
Join Backcountry Journeys for an incredible seven-day lodge-based
photography tour of northern Arizona’s Grand Canyon country during
the colorful autumn season. This landscape photography-oriented
expedition will put you and your lens in front of the most iconic and
spectacular locations the desert Southwest has to offer, at a time when
autumn foliage at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim is in full swing!
Spend Autumn in Grand Canyon Country with Backcountry Journeys
and check off from your ‘Bucket List’ so many individual locations
you've been yearning for. See and photograph the Grand Canyon from
its 'best' side, during its most colorful season!
Our first day will take us to one of the most famous landscapes in the
entire desert southwest, Monument Valley. Here buttes, mesas, and
other rock features dot the landscape in a most memorable and
photogenic manner. This location is at the top of every landscape
photographer’s list.
The next two days of this photography tour will be spent visiting
locations around Page, Arizona. Famed locations like Horseshoe Bend
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 4
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
and Lake Powell will be the subjects of our compositions. While in Page
we’ll make a stop at famed Antelope Canyon (please note the famous light beam will not happen this time of year. Travel with us on our Southwest Monsoon: Grand Canyon Country tour to capture this canyon with the iconic light beam).
Moving on from Page we will travel to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim
where we’ll spend the remainder of the trip amongst the beautiful fall
colors of the Canyon maple and Quaking aspen.
Finding interesting contrasts amongst this particular scene will be
easy, as we’ll compose our images of the trees in front of over 525
million years of sedimentary rock that has been exposed by erosion.
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and
will live up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful and awe-
inspiring places on the planet.
Aside from the fun, you’ll experience with your fellow photographers
you’ll leave this trip with a new understanding of the rich natural and
cultural history, in addition to a highly expanded portfolio of excellent
images and a wealth of memories. Join us today for the trip of a lifetime
through Grand Canyon Country.
Please note: This is a “standard” tour and while not technically a ‘hiker’
trip there are a few very short hikes on the trip that are optional. For
Horseshoe Bend participants will need to be able to hike 1.5 miles
(round-trip) on a short, steep trail through sandy and uneven rocky
terrain.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 5
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Highlights
• Best Season for fall foliage and dramatic coloring
• Grand Canyon’s North Rim, Antelope Canyon
• Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley & the Mittens
• Small Groups
• Great lodging included
• Top-notch meals
• Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro
Noteworthy Travel Logistics
• This trip begins & ends in Flagstaff, Arizona
• There is a pre-trip meeting on Day One at 5pm at the hotel in
Flagstaff. Orientation includes introductions, a briefing on the trip
itinerary, and a checking of personal gear.
• You can fly directly into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport
• We should be back in Flagstaff no later than 2:00 pm on the last
day of the trip.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 6
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Transportation on Tour
We will provide ground transportation for the duration of the tour.
Pre & Post Trip Recommended Lodging
If you are arriving early or want to spend more time in Flagstaff, we
recommend
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff*
1175 W Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 773-8888
*Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted.
If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 7
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day One (Travel Day)(D)
Arrive in Flagstaff, Arizona, by 5pm for an orientation and welcome
dinner.
Day Two (B,L,D)
We’ll make our way North and East to Monument Valley, located near
the Arizona / Utah border and part of the Navajo Nation.
Monument Valley has been seen in many movies and photographs,
and really is one of the truly iconic places in the American Southwest.
The magnificent landscape is dotted with eye-pleasing sandstone
mesas, buttes and other curious rock features.
Your guide will take you to the perfect location in order to capture the
setting sun over this most famous of western landscapes.
Day Three (B,L,D)
We’ll make sure to capture Monument Valley again this morning
before relocating a few hours down the road to Page, Arizona, where
we’ll spend the next two nights of this trip.
We’ll check in to our comfy hotel and get prepared for an evening
shoot from an exceptional viewpoint overlooking glassy, Lake Powell.
This reservoir is world-famous for its massive and curious shoreline
as well as its colorful sandstone rock formations.
We’ll be shooting from a location not well known to most visitors.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 8
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Day Four (B,D)
This morning we’ll head to Antelope Canyon for the coveted
opportunity to photograph this fantastic and hugely famous slot
canyon.
(Please note the famous light beam will not happen this time of year. Travel with us on our Southwest Monsoon: Grand Canyon Country tour to capture this canyon with the iconic light beam)
In the afternoon we’ll return to our hotel in order to avoid the heat of
the day. Here we’ll spend time working on photographic techniques
before taking a midday break before a delicious dinner followed by a
gorgeous sunset shot at Horseshoe Bend.
Day Five (B,L,D)
This morning we will check out of our Page accommodations and head
towards the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, catching a morning shot
along the way. We’ll have a roughly two to three-hour drive, with
sights and photo opportunities along the way, before checking in to
our rustic cabins that sit just a stone’s throw from the Canyon’s rim!
The North Rim Lodge, built in 1936, is designated as a National
Historic Landmark and offers a beautiful patio that is perched on the
rim of the Canyon, perfect for viewing, relaxing, and/or photographing
from.
After a delicious dinner we’ll make a short drive to Cape Royal, which
offers the widest panorama of any viewpoint at Grand Canyon.
After an amazing sunset shot, we’ll head back to our cozy cabins
nestled in the cooler high elevation pines of the north side of the
Grand Canyon.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 9
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Day Six (B,D)
We’ll awake early again this morning to photograph a glorious sunrise
at Point Imperial. At 8,803 feet above sea-level, Point Imperial is the
highest overlook on this side of the Canyon offering views of Marble
Canyon, Mt. Hayden, the Little Colorado River Gorge as well as the
Painted Desert of Navajo Nation on the horizon. Your guide will go
over some of the intricacies of capturing desert sunrise shots, and
then we’ll head in for a leisurely breakfast at the lodge.
As weather can be unpredictable, we’ll want to remain a bit flexible on
this afternoon, and throughout this trip as to what we’ll do and when
so that we have to ability to head “wherever the action might be.”
Our final evening shoot of the tour will take us to the remote, and
beautiful, Point Sublime. After a nice drive through a forest thick with
Ponderosa, Fir and Aspen, we’ll be rewarded with an inspirational
vantage point of Grand Canyon.
Day Seven (B)
On our final morning together, we’ll have an option to shoot sunrise
from either our lodge patio, or down a short trail towards Bright Angel
Point. After our last breakfast as a group, we’ll make the drive through
the desert and back to Flagstaff, complete with amazing memories and
many wonderful images of our time in Grand Canyon Country.
Please Note: Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all
photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The
goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right
time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change
for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires,
national park closures, road closures and more.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 10
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Details
Physical Requirements
All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability
to walk/hike with camera equipment and essential hiking gear. For
example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water (up to 2 liters
person), snacks, and extra layers (if necessary). The weight of your pack
largely depends on what gear you choose to bring on each hike.
Typically backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. But remember the
choice is yours
Group Size
We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the
guide/instructor.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 11
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Accommodation
Our first night will be in Flagstaff, Arizona and then we will be staying
on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and in Page,
Arizona.
Trip length
7 days
Activity Level:
Level 1
Meeting Time and Place
5pm on Day One in Flagstaff, AZ
Trip Conclusion
Flagstaff, AZ
Price/Start Dates
Please see our website for current Autumn in Grand Canyon Country
Pricing & Dates
Meals
Most meals are included during the trip dates and we typically eat at
park lodges in the evening as well as handpicked local restaurants. We
often eat snacks and prepare lunch on the trail. We typically return for
a late breakfast or eat breakfast on the road during photography trips
as we are often out early to capture the morning light.
Weather
Expect pleasant temperatures in lower elevations, climbing to very cold
at higher elevation and at night. The weather is generally very dry and
stable in the Southwest; however, it can change on a moment’s
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 12
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
notice. Remember some of the best photographs are made before, during
and immediately after a storm cycle. There is no such thing as bad
weather just poor layering and gear choices – please plan accordingly!
For more info on what to bring please email or call us. Make sure you
are prepared for rain!
General Links to weather conditions: Flagstaff Weather Forecast and
Monument Valley National Park Weather Forecast
We recommend checking these weather links prior to your trip
departure to plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly.
Price Includes
Most Meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip
dates, from the evening of Day One through the morning of Day Seven,
National Park entrance fees, professional photography instruction,
medically certified wilderness guide, & gratuities for service personnel
such as drivers, pilots, captains as well as hotel & restaurant staff.
Price Does Not Include
Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip
dates, souvenirs, and one meal on your own& trip leader gratuities
(industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your
experience).
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 13
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Pictured above: The North Rim Lodge, where we stay while on tour
Lodging & Meals
Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include most
meals, lodging from Day One through the morning of the last day of the
tour, ground transportation while on the tour, National Park entrance
fees, guide fees and other items essential to a successful trip – meaning
that once your there all you will have to focus on is your photography.
We can accommodate most special diets so please let us know if you
have any dietary restrictions.
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 14
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Gear List
This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read
through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.
Your clothing should be a system of layers that you add and subtract
according to the weather and temperature. Clothing should be light-
weight nylon pants t-shirt or lightweight long sleeve sun-shirt and
either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather
conditions change add insulating and waterproof layers to your base
setup. Don’t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator
and once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans!
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 15
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Photo & Field Gear
Recommended Camera Gear:
• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.)
• Medium telephoto zoom lens (100–400mm zoom or equivalent)
• Normal Lens (50mm or equivalent zoom)
• Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom)
• Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for
hikes)
• Memory Cards
• Batteries & Chargers
• Filters such as a circular polarizer and neutral density
• Lens cleaning pen & cloth
• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera
& hiking gear and have a rain cover)
• Camera Rain Sleeve
Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear:
• Back-Up Camera Body
• 1.4x tele converter
• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed
• External Hard Drives
• Remote Shutter Trigger
• Camera’s Instruction Manual
Suggested Field Gear & Clothing:
• Personal Field Clothing (think layers)
• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket
• Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or
lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night
• Warm Hat & Gloves
• Down Jacket
• “Softshell” Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket
for layering and protection from wind
Backcountry Journeys – Autumn in Grand Canyon Country 16
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
• Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom)
• Shorts & T-Shirts for on the go during warmer months
• wool Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)
• Brimmed Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Good walking or tennis shoes
• Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail
• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket
• Rain Pants
• Shooting Gloves
• Headlamp (for evening shoots, conditions permitting)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Sunscreen
• Knee pads (for low-angle shooting)
• Personal toiletries, medication etc.
• Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally
10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience) and for any
personal expenses not included in the tour package such as
alcoholic beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc.
This is a general list, please call with any questions!
Note for packing on the tour:
Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries, extra camera gear, and other
travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel bag. You will not bring all
your camera gear on every hike or outing. Each evening you will be
briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to carry the following
day on the scheduled tour or hike.