Mesa Arch is a Mesa Arch is a beautiful stone arch perched at the edge of a cliff with vast views of canyons, rock spires, and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. It’s on the eastern edge of the Island in the Sky mesa in Canyonlands National Park in northern San Juan County, Utah, United States.
This hike to Mesa arch is level, easy and only 1/2 mile long.
Canyonlands is adjacent to Arches National Park. The drive from Moab, Utah to the arch takes about 50 minutes per Google and about 40 minutes if you drive like me.
The nearness to Moab and the short easy nature of the hike makes this an extremely popular site. You will not have this location to yourself except maybe at 2:00 AM and perhaps not even then if Milky Way shooters are out and about.
Plan the Shot
To get this shot, you need to be at the arch no later than 45 minutes before sunrise and that’s probably cutting it close. There are 5-7 prime spots (elbow to elbow) and there may be 25 people or more at the arch at sunrise. If there is a photography workshop going on, forget about it, unless you beat them to the spot.
Assuming you get to the Arch in time to get a good spot, you still need clouds. And you need to have an idea of what exactly you will be doing. You might have a minute or two to get it done, at most.
Feature Image Details
This is a panoramic blend of several different exposures. One set was just before sunrise and one just after sunrise.
Normally, I take vertical images to make a horizontal panorama but I knew the light would be changing extremely fast. To reduce time, I took two horizontal frames instead of my usual six vertical frames.
I also used a Canon 11-24 F4.0 L lens at 24mm, not exactly a routine piece of equipment, but that was not necessary. Any 24mm lens would have worked.
If you are at the Canyonlands Island in the Sky district, the Arches is nearby. For most, it’s probably the reverse.
Arches National Park Images
- Arches National Park: Turret Arch Viewed Through North Window
- Arches National Park: Landscape Arch Glorious Sunrise
- Arches National Park: Delicate Arch Sunset
- Arches National Park: Delicate Arch Milky Way
- Arches National Park: Double Arch Sunset
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
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More Canyonlands National Park images coming up.
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Mike “Mish” Shedlock