False Kiva, Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
This amazing location is kept fairly quite by the Park Service, as it is tucked away under a beautiful alcove on an un-marked trail. It isn’t really a Kiva (site for religious rituals), but it is a historic native American site.
We had hiked to some other ruins at Aztec Butte, before hiking to this site. The two hikes combined took much less time then we estimated, leaving us here about two hours before sunset. That was fine with us, we had the place to ourselves as we sat and waited for the light, and tried to imagine what life was like back in the days this site was occupied. To think, we were sitting on the same rocks as Native Americans many hundreds of years ago! From this position, I could see a desert bighorn making its way up the ridge on the right – just magical!
Here are more of our Canyonlands National Park, Utah, Photos.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Your blog is full of stunning landscape shots. colors are perfect and composition are fabulous.
I liked the mountain bike silhouette and the jeep rental shot as well.
Thanks Thomas, I appreciate it!
Beautiful shot Ron, looks like you are getting some great photo’s for your collection. Did you ever get out to delicate arch?
Thanks Dennis,
I did – unfortunately it was really crowded there which kind of ruined the experience. I’m thinking it will be my next post.
Ron
This is a classic Ron. Glad you found it. I agree about Delicate Arch. I parked in the lot then walked around the Wolf Ranch a little bit then saw the amount of people on the trail and went right back in my car.
Nice, Ron. Can you imagine the days when you were stuck at a desk? Ho hum….oh, wait, that’s where I cam >-(, lol!
Thanks Laurent!
You know, I haven’t forgotten those days – I am so thankful everyday I don’t have to go to an office. I think I’m ruined for life now – I would probably wait tables or bartend before taking another office job.
Good choice Richard!
Ron
This Utah series is Great Ron! One of my favorite places ever is Utah! The landscape in Southern Utah is amazing and so are the images you have been sharing. Thanks buddy!
That’s a cool shot. It looks like Mars!
Ron,
I will be shooting Canyonlands next week, Feb 6 – 9. I have been dreaming about shooting False Kiva. How do I get to this location? Thanks for the advise.
James
Sounds like you received my email – have a great trip!
i am so in love with this picture, i was browsing your canyonlands national park since we plan on going there this april 6th and 7th, when i saw false kiva, i wanted to go here. however, i googled and surfed for directions of this and i could not find it at all. i wonder if you can share how to get to this location? I would understand however if it is a secret as well.
thanks for all your photos by the way, it is very inspiring to see all these wonderful places.
Hey Ron,
Lovely shot .. that snow in the bottom of the canyon? I’ll be in Canyonlands this fall, and I’d love to shoot False Kiva. Any tips on getting to this location? Thanks in advance for any advise.
Paul
Thanks!
Sorry I missed your comment betchai.
Paul, that is white rock down in the valley.
I could probably provide more details on this location when I get back to the office next week.
I could try to describe how to get to this spot, but it is a bit involved. Probably the best way to find it is to follow the directions in this book: Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1–Southern Utah (2nd Ed.)
I think it is a great book to have anyway if you are going to spend any time photographing the Southwest.