Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap Up

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITION-MARCH 2022

A bouquet of cacti ready for spring along the Boucher Trail (Photo courtesy of Jesse Barden)

Photos from Rim to Rim

This week we are taking a diversion from our regular communications on COVID-19 and park operations to highlight some of the amazing places (and people) here at Grand Canyon through photographs taken by NPS, GCC, and Xanterra staff over the last several months. From the North Rim, to the Colorado River, to the South Rim, take a moment and enjoy these awe-inspiring landscapes.

North Rim & Tuweep

North Rim staff skiing along the Arizona Trail with a signpost almost completely covered in snow. Pictured are Matt Jenkins, Ceili Brenna, Elyssa Shalla, and Jesse Barden.

(NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)

Visitor and Resource Protection (VRP) snowmobile patrol along the Cape Royal Road (NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)

The road to Tuweep during a winter backcountry patrol on March 5 (NPS Photo/L. Katz)

North Rim staff skiing across Harvey Meadow near the Widforss trailhead.

(NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)

Angel’s Window in late winter with the canyon and Mt. Humphreys in the background.

(NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)

The North Rim VRP overwintering crew of Matt Jenkins, Matt Krupp, Robert Evans, and Tim Hopp.(NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)

The last bit of winter lingers on Brady Peak. (NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)

Lees Ferry

Fire crews from the NPS and the U.S. Forest Service Service hold a pre-operational briefing prior to prescribed burn operations on March 8, 2022. (NPS Photo/L. Brannfors)

Paria Beach prescribed burn at Lees Ferry on Tuesday, March 8 (NPS Photo/L. Katz)

Inner Canyon & Along the River

Diamond Peak from the Colorado River near river mile 225 during a recent VRP river patrol mission (NPS Photo/M. Pakes)

VRP Chief Ranger, Angela Boyers, checks backcountry permits at Cottonwood Campground along the North Kaibab Trail (NPS Photo/J. Cully)

Waiting for the sun to hit along the Hermit Trail (Photo courtesy of Jesse Barden)

Bighorn sheep going for an evening stroll in South Canyon during a recent backcountry patrol (NPS Photo/B. Stone)

Panorama of Redwall Cavern from exploratory dam site tunnel on river right during a recent backcountry patrol (NPS Photo/B. Stone)

Cottonwoods along Bright Angel Creek begin to leaf out the week of March 7 (NPS Photo/A. Sherman)

Ceili Brenna squeezing between a narrow section in 150-Mile Canyon.

(Photo courtesy of Jesse Barden)

Canyon District VRP Rangers pose for a selfie in Matkat Canyon near river mile 148.

(NPS Photo/M. Pakes)

The Lava Falls Route near Tuweep on a recent backcountry patrol. (NPS Photo/L. Katz)

Two NPS oar boats parked along the river near Blacktail Canyon (river mile 120).(NPS Photo/M. Pakes)

Desert View

Desert View panorama after a recent snowstorm (NPS Photo/D. Pawlak)

Grand Canyon Trail Crew and Chevo Studios preparing the Desert View Amphitheater site and beginning to install the stone benches, using a telescopic handler to lift and position large slabs of stone. More photos of the Desert View construction project can be viewed on the park’s Flickr album here. (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)

View of Cedar Mountain from Desert View (NPS Photo/D. Pawlak)

Winter landscape looking east from Desert View (Photo courtesy of Amy French, GCC)

Desert View Watchtower in black and white following a winter storm (Photo courtesy of Amy French, GCC)

South Rim

Snow and cloud inversion behind El Tovar after a recent storm

(Photo courtesy of Xanterra Fire & Captain, Matthew Nordin)

Superintendent Keable filming a presentation at the NPS River Operations building for the River Guides Training Seminar which will be held on a virtual platform this year (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)

Xanterra firefighter/EMT, Corbin Novell at Mather Point (Photo courtesy of Xanterra Fire & Security Captain, Matthew Nordin).

NPS Wildland Firefighter, Nathan Martone, monitors pile burning operations along South Entrance Road on March 10 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)

Top Grand Canyon photography tips from Michael Quinn

NPS Visual Information Specialist, Michael Quinn, knows a thing or two about taking photographs of Grand Canyon. Quinn has been working at Grand Canyon for more than 27 years and has taken a majority of the photos included in this newsletter, on the park website, and on Grand Canyon’s social media channels. He offers these tried and true photography tips for getting the best photos of Grand Canyon:

Sunrise and sunset hours often produce the most dramatic light and shadow patterns in the canyon.

The canyon’s many layers are visible from Hermit Road and Grand Canyon Village. To see the most expansive views of the river, visit Lipan, Navajo and Desert View Points.

Avoid shooting at midday, when bright overhead sunlight can make the canyon appear flat and harsh.

Fast moving clouds can create dramatic effects, but may only last a few minutes.

An interesting object in the foreground can add perspective. Provide a place in the scene where the viewer can “stand” and include trees or a rock pillar for added depth.