As I rolled into Canyon Lands National Park, a park Ranger stopped me at the gate and asked me for my pass. I gave it to her and asked if she knew the way to Mesa Arch. She pointed it out to me on the map and said, “…get there early.” I drove over there in the middle of the day to make sure I could get there without any hiccups the next morning as I would be doing the short hike in the dark. It is a short 10 minute hike off the road and is well marked so I figured I’d get there before the sun came up to ensure a spot amongst the other tourists and photographers. The next morning, I arrived at the trail head at 4am and hiked by headlamp to the arch. I wanted to try for two pics, one a John Shaw rip off with just the arch and shades of blue and orange glow before the sun rose.
The other pic, the quintessential orange glow that makes Mesa Arch famous after the sun has risen. I was alone for my first pic and nailed it, but as the sun slowly rose and orange glow came on, so did the other photographers and tourists. I understand that the very reason I was standing where I was is because John Shaw told me where this spot was and his photography inspired my own. Yet, I couldn’t overcome the sense of irritation from the mounting line of tourists and photographers crawling all over this natural wonder. After I got my shot, I struggled with my feelings of anger mixed with a sense of reason telling me that these people all probably have the same sense of wonder and love for our earth that I have. It was a weird feeling and something I think National Park rangers everywhere must struggle with every day. The proliferation of the internet has made these natural wonders accessible for anyone connected to Google and maybe it’s the ease with which people can find these places now that is irritating. Although someone had to tell John Shaw where this place was and who is to say he was the first person to photograph it? I was once told by a person in a Peter Lik gallery that this was a “secret” location known only to Mr. Lik. Finally, despite my irritation for the natural wonders being loved to death, I decided to keep in mind that this love is the only reason we have national parks and they weren’t all converted to natural resource machines. That is the compromise, and so far, it has worked. The next time I stand in line with people to take a photograph, maybe I will try to make friends instead of looking at them with distain. I can’t make any promises, but I will try.