Description

Mesa Arch in January

This photo was shot in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. The image was shot at dawn in January. Red dust covered snow can be seen in the foreground. Mesa Arch is famous among photographers because the bottom of the arch glows red at sunrise. Mesa Arch is at 6,100 feet in elevation. The arch is a natural pothole arch. It spans fifty feet and is at the top of a 500 foot cliff. Washerwoman Arch and the Lasal Mountains can be seen in the left side of the image. The Colorado River and the White Rim Trail are in the area covered by the photo but cannot easily be seen from the arch.  This image is a three picture panorama and was shot as f/18 to enhance the sunburst.