Fall Photography in the Grand Tetons
Photo Adventures Day 1
Well, after about 8 days of driving we finally made it to the Grand Teton National Park. And we arrived JUST IN TIME for the fall peak.
Our first day in the park was October 1, 2024 and we have a few days still of the fall leaves at peak. We could have easily been here a week earlier. Right now a lot of the Aspen leaves have fallen, however, there is plenty of Cottonwood still showing.
We arrived and are staying in a dispersed camping area in the Bridger Teton National Forest. Our first real test of the Bigfoots ability to sustain us off grid. So far, I am happy with the results! Great solar production and it handles the cold wonderfully.
Our first night was amazing as the sunset over the mountains was one of the prettiest I have ever seen. Fortunately, I did indeed end up purchasing another drone. This time, went all in and bought the DJI Mavic 3 equipped with a Hasselblad camera. It’s a professional model drone. It does an amazing job with the photography side of things!
A Teton Range Sunset Captured by my Mavic 3
For my first morning I decided I’d head out and do some early morning blue hour photography of Oxbow Bend.
Oxbow Bend is one of the most iconic, sought after photography spots in all the park. Regardless of the season, it sports an amazing scene replete with landscape photography opportunities. It’s an easy spot to set up the camera and do some wonderful early morning photography. Just arrive early, probably an hour or better before sun up. There are a few key locations to get the shot, directly from the parking lot at the far northwest side of the pavement cut out, directly on the road/turnout apron heading west and then at the edge of the “bend” on the far western end of the area defined by the park on the shore. To avoid irritating other photographers, try and avoid getting in the shot for those shooting from the parking lot.
You will find Oxbow Bend on Hwy 191 Northwest of the Moran Junction not far after the entrance station to that side of the park.
A Blue Hour Sunrise Shot of Signal Mountain at Oxbow Bend
Drone Time!
After spending some time in the Oxbow bend area, I headed up into the Bridger Teton Forest to do some drone work and photography. On our way driving in I took note of the hillsides full of pine and Aspens and determined that should the weather cooperate I would make my way back up that way in the coming time while there to gather some photography.
If you are a drone pilot and looking for a place to fly and do photography legally, all you have to do is drive a bit east on 26/287 out of the Moran Junction and you will find number of spots to fly once you exit the park border. Use caution however because as you drive further east, the park does intersect again briefly and you could end up launching from within the park (a no-no…subject to big fines).
After doing a number of photos and 4k video there I headed over to the Elk Ranch Flats turn out. This is an iconic location on Hwy 89 north of the Snake River Overlook, where a herd of horses tends to roam in the early morning sun. This provided me with some epic images of the horses feeding at the base of the mountains with the fall colors behind them.
Truly an iconic “western” shot. I had to shoot this one for Joelle. She just loves the horses.
Horses on the Range at Elk Ranch Flats
The remainder of the day was spent working on videos.
Sunset At Mormon Row
We headed to the Mormon Row area hoping for a beautiful sunset…which never materialized. The barns are better photographed in the morning sun, but I had hoped maybe, just maybe, I could get a good sunset shot.
We met a seemingly very nice young lady who was a great subject model candidate. Due to the cute hat she adorned, I had to ask her, after giving up on the sunset, if she might pose for us so that I could get at least one shot in the area. She agreed.
Blue Hour Sunset at Mormon Row-Model Included
It had been a long day so we decided to head over for some pizza at Dornans just around the corner and once done, drove back to the Bigfoot.
Upon arrival, I realized the Milky Way is prime from 8:30pm to about 10:45pm so…well, I just had to get one last shot…in spite of Joelle’s worry of me not sleeping enough.
The Milky Way over our Bigfoot 2500 25B25RQ
Hey, when the landscape and skies are cooperating and the weather is your friend, you simply must be willing to forgo sleep some in order to nail a few shots.
I hope you enjoy the photos and would consider watching the latest update video at the bottom of the post.
Looking forward to a few more days of sharing.
rob out
PS As I have been working on these images I realized I have not shared ANY photography updates or videos since leaving Death Valley. We got so busy with the sale of the Winnebago and everything happening since then, I lost track. I have photos and posting to do from all across Utah to share in the coming weeks ahead. Be on the lookout!
