Hollow Cottonwood Tree at Sunset

Image Details

The images in this post are of an old collapsed cottonwood tree on the Red Reef Trail in St. George, Utah. The tree is so big that two people could easily stand inside it.

The trail head starts at the Red Cliffs Campground. The best spot to park, is near campsite #2, if you can get it. Parking is extremely limited, so go midweek or very early in the morning or late in the day or you will struggle with parking.

It’s 2.2 miles out-and-back and it’s an easy trail for kids. The trail passes old cottonwood trees, an alcove with Pictographs, and reflection pools in the creek, and a pair of waterfalls that are sometimes dry.

Wild Light

I used a Canon 11-24 F4.0 L lens at 14mm on my EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera camera. Exposure was 1/10 of a second at F16, ISO 250.

The light was wild as those glowing clouds are opposite the setting sun.

I hung around after sunset to capture the moon rising behind the tree.

Cottonwood Tree and the Moon

I lit the cottonwood tree with a pair of tiny panel lights that I described in Full Moon Over Rockville Steel Girder Bridge Near Zion National Park.

The moon image was taken at 11mm. I was literally inches from the tree.

Previous Red Cliffs Images

Red Cliffs National Conservation Area Waterfalls

Red Cliffs National Conservation Area Reflection Pools

Equipment List

Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.

Nearby Posts

1. Hurricane Valley Car Light Trails at Sunset
2. Quail Creek State Park, Mouth of Creek, Sunset Reflections
3. Quail Creek State Park, Sunset Reflections From Overlook

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Mish