Photographing the Mitten Shadow

Success!! I got the pictures I wanted

Welcome to The Four Corners of the Southwest. My love for travel and the outdoors has inspired me to learn, research, and share interesting information about the American Southwest.

A few days ago, I drove 7 hours from Tucson and made it up to Monument Valley within a couple of hours of sunset hoping to see the phenomena called the “Mitten Shadow”. I explain more about it in my last post. I was disappointed as the weather was bad and it was raining on and off. I stuck around just to make sure the clouds didn’t part ways and allow the sun to do its magic but to no avail. Fortunately, I gave myself another evening to attempt to see it. And it happened!

Famous panorama of Monument Valley. West Mitten Butte’s shadow is on East Mitten Butte while Merrick Butte is just along for the ride. Photo credit: Jan Spell, September 15, 2023

I was one of about 150 people attempting to photograph East Mitten Butte with the shadow of its mate superimposed upon it. It was fun talking to the people on either side of me. A young man from Switzerland came up and asked me why there were so many people standing around. It was fun to tell him about it so he could join in with the rest of us. It was a fun experience to be a part of.

The Mitten Shadow Phenomena. Photo credit: Jan Spell, September 15, 2023

I’m so glad I was able to get away and take the chance to see it. The next time this will happen is on or around March 30, 2024. Mark your calendar.

Forrest Gump Hill

“I'm pretty tired... I think I'll go home now.” Forrest Gump

As I mentioned last time, many movies have been filmed in Monument Valley. When Forrest Gump is running back and forth across America, he finally stops and says he’s tired and wants to go home. That scene was filmed on one of the roads (US-163) leading into Monument Valley. It has become an official photo stop: it’s in Google Maps and an official highway sign indicates its location.

Sign on Highway US-163 north of Monument Valley

The best time to get pictures is in the morning when the sun is on the buttes in the background. AND… watch out for passing cars or you might end up like the Wile E. Coyote.

Here’s Jan doing what everyone else does here. Why not?!

Monument Valley and the Ring of Fire Eclipse

On October 14, 2023, an annular, or “ring of fire,” solar eclipse will darken a 136 mile (220 km) wide path across the Four Corners region including Monument Valley.

“Ring of Fire” annular eclipse

In Navajo culture, an eclipse event is called jóhonaa'éí daaztsą́ (“the sun is dead”). The Navajo people believe that the sun is the creator of all life, so this event is a reminder of its power. They believe that viewing an eclipse is harmful to one’s health and spiritual well-being. Therefore the Navajo people will be avoiding eating, sleeping, or spending time outside.

Because of this, the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park will be closed for five hours around the time the eclipse will occur. A public notice on their website states “Please Be Advised the Navajo Tribal Parks will be in observance of the Eclipse on October 14, 2023 in regard to cultural beliefs during the eclipse. Navajo Tribal Parks will be Closed from 8:00 am and will reopen at 1:00 pm.”

Nearby Gouldings Lodge will be open for business during that time and will be catering to eclipse viewers. Click here for Gouldings Lodge Eclipse Information.

Next Time

There’s more to discuss about the Annular Solar Eclipse of October 14, 2023. Many places have viewing parties. What’s the difference between a “total” eclipse and an “annular” eclipse? We’ll look at that and what all’s happening and how to safely view the eclipse. Some of us may want to take a road trip next month.