A Touch of Gold
© Miles Hecker
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SEASONS

The Left Fork of North Creek is home to The Subway. The Subway is a slot canyon cut deep in the Navajo Sandstone walls of the Left Fork Canyon. It’s floor is an ebony like fossilized lake bed of the Kayenta Formation. It’s light at the proper time, has a neon hue reminiscent of a great natural cathedral. It’s pools, glow with a turquoise shimmer. It is a truly visual potpourri of the first order.

Going to The Subway requires a permit and a nine mile round trip strenuous hike. Information on getting a permit can be foundhere.

The Subway is legendary in the pantheon of southwest photo locations, but about 1/4 mile before you reach the Subway, you pass Arch Angel Falls. For my money these falls equals or surpasses The Subway in beauty. The light here in late morning is superb. The long sinuous cascades offer endless compositional alternatives.

The above photo was taken with a focal equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm full frame camera.This area is best photographed in summer and fall. I would pick the third week in October through the first week in November as the best time for fall color.

TIMES

Photography is best at Arch Angel Falls late in the morning.

LENS & FILTERS

LENS: 28-70 mm for 35mm camera, 17-55mm for crop sensor camera

FILMS

Slide films: Fuji Velvia 100 or Ektachrome 100SW