Goblin

[Basil]

I'm planning a trip to Goblin State Park, Utah. Even though I lived in Utah for 5 years, I had never heard of Goblin Valley State Park until recently when a photography friend mentioned he had been there. After looking it up and seeing some of the very unique rock formations there, I decided it might be a cool place to visit to take Milkyway photographs with some of these cool formations as foreground.

So, I have booked an R-Pod camper through my local Air Force base's Outdoor Recreation Center for the first week in October. I plan to drive up there and boondock on Bureau of Land Management land (The camping spots at the park are all booked up). This park, being 60-70 miles due west of Moab, is about as out in the boondocks as you can get. There won't be a moon out during this time and this area is listed as an official dark sky location.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and the skies will be clear. I'm also thinking of taking a spotlight with some colored gels to try some "light painting." I'll also likely do some general landscape photography as well while I'm up there.

 

[GregW]

Have you been to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness? It has similar formations and is a lot closer to you. I haven't been to either.

 

[Basil]

Yes, been there - it's up near Farmington/ Shiprock area. Goblin just has some formations that I really want to photograph with the Milky Way and, besides, I want to go do some travel and camping while we're at it.

 

[Basil]

UPDATE: I'm still going, but the forecast for cloud cover doesn't look promising. I may not get those Milky Way shots if the current forecast holds true. Drat!

 

[GregW]

Good luck with the weather. Sometimes it just doesn't follow the forecast.🌪

 

[Basil]

Good luck with the weather. Sometimes it just doesn't follow the forecast.🌪

I’m keeping fingers crossed.

 

[DrEntropy]

Some things you see along the way could be interesting too! The old: "Stop and smell th' roses" kinda shots.