April 20-22 - Capitol Reef National Park.
This field trip will let you visit the least popular national park in Utah. It is also the closest! If you also went on the February and March trips you will have visited all 5 of Utah's national parks! What a great opportunity to photograph our state's natural wonders. Capitol Reef National Park was settled by Mormons who founded the town of Fruita. The pioneers planted many kinds of fruit trees. While the last residents have left, the orchards of peach, apricot, apple and cherry remain. Every spring they burst forth in color with their delicate blossoms. Our April trip is planned around this event. Look to capture these trees against the red canyon walls.
Capitol Reef is more than just the orchards. Like much of Southern Utah, it is a land of rivers, mountains and deep canyons. Hikes can take you interesting formations such as Hickman Bridge (1 mile each way; moderate rating). The Capitol Gorge Trail (1 mile each way; easy) takes you along a narrow wash with sheer canyon walls. Some wild flowers should be out. For those wanting something different, a four-wheel drive into Cathedral Valley is worth the effort.
Sunset Friday (4/20) is at 8:07PM. Plan on meeting at Panorama Point at 7:30 - 7:45. This is a side road on the right about 8 miles after Torrey (it is before the visitor's center). Sunrise is at 6:42AM Saturday. I have found Panorama Point again to be the best location. Saturday will be spent shooting the orchards and possibly hiking. Saturday's sunset (8:08PM) and Sunday's sunrise (6:40AM) will be decided upon when down there.You will have a choice of accommodations. The town of Torrey offers lodging at a reasonable price. Late April is usually warm enough to allow camping so several members will pick that. Camping is $10 per night with a maximum of 8 people per site. No reservations are taken.