SW Roadtrip 2025
A camera, a desire, and the rising moon!
Last Updated: 8 Feb 2026 @0800 MST
FLEXIBILITY
Now that we’ve decided which area we will be traveling to, it is time to nail down specifics. We will plan our days the best that we can; however, we will still have to stay flexible with weather conditions as the trip progresses. This will likely involve last-minute route/destination changes. We can deal with those as they arise.
Be watching for this page to change throughout the upcoming days.
Jason
ps - DO NOT buy tickets yet until we both agree with the itinerary, and have discussed meals, expenses, and fees.
Dates
This trip will be in Arizona, with one quick dip into Utah, and will focus on the full moon, sunrise/sunset, and the local geology, flora, and fauna. The workshop starts on 29 March and has an end date of 4 April.
Arrival
If you’d like, I can pick you up on the Workshop start date and drop you off on the Workshop end date at Phoenix International Airport, pending any additional sightseeing you'd like to do before or after the Workshop.
VeryRough Itinerary:
29 March: Phoenix / Superstition Mountains / Wave Cave / Cougar Shadow Sunset
30 March: Scottsdale / Baby Owls / Goldfield Wild Horses / Four Peaks Wilderness
31 March: Sedona
01 April: Monument Valley w/Navajo Tribal Guide / Moonrise
02 April: Grand Canyon / Moonrise
03 April: Papago Park / Luke
04 April: Flexible
Day 1, 29 March
Overview
Join Up
Sunset: Photography Cougar Shadow on Superstition Mountains
Drive to camp
Much of this day depends upon when we actually meet up. If we have time during the day, we will hike to the Wave Cave for a fun little shot.
We will end the day with our backs to the setting sun. We will be photographing a shadow that only happens for a couple of days twice per year. The shadow is of a Cougar/Mountain Lion/Puma. An example can be seen here: www.JasonFazioPhotography.com/prints/p/cougar-shadow. Some say they see a bear (rock) chasing a cougar (shadow) chasing a rabbit (shadow).
Equipment Recommended
Long Lens
From there, we will head toward camp and begin preparation for the morning.
Day 2, 30 March
Overview
Great Horned Owl Nest in Saguaaro Cactus
Breakfast
Wild Horses at the River
Four Peaks Wilderness
Equipment Recommended
Long Lens
We will start early, as today we begin the road portion of our trip. Owls like it dark, so we will try to be in place at sunrise. From there, we will try to find the wild horses down by the river before making our way to the Four Peaks Wilderness area.
Day 3, 31 March
Overview
Sunrise Reflections of Cathedral Rock
Walk the Town
Oak Creek Pictures
Equipment Recommended
Wide Lens
We will arrive early and have a short hike in the dark to a special place. We will shoot morning reflections of the morning glowing rocks in pools of water. From there, the day is ours. We will go down to the creek with our cameras as well as walk around the town a bit.
Day 4, 01 April
Overview
Monument Valley (Forrest Gump Point) Sunrise
Breakfast
Drive 17 Mile Loop
Meet Navajo Guides
Camp at Hunts Mesa (Special Event)
Today, assuming all goes well, will be a neat day full of locations that have been in many Hollywood movies. We will start the day with sunrise from Forrest Gump Point. From there, we will tour the Monument Valley rock formations on our own until it is time to meet our Navajo Guides. They will take us to a special place where we will camp, and they will cook us a meal. It’ll be a full moon surrounded by the rocks of Monument Valley!
Day 5, 02 April
Overview
Grand Canyon
Mather Point
Hike To Ooh Aah Point
Moonrise at Shoshone Point
Today, we will begin and end with photo opportunities from the rim of the Grand Canyon. Sandwiched in between, we will make the short hike into the canyon to Ooh Aah Point.
Day 6, 03 April
Overview
Devil’s Bridge hike
Sedona is a place where one could easily spend a week or two and still want more. We will stop by here for one last hike with the cameras.
Day 7, 04 April
Overview
Phoenix Area
Papago Park Sunrise Reflections
Luke Jets?
Drive to Denver International
This day will flex as necessary pending flight takeoff time.
Total Miles: 1,500
Hours Driving: 24
Current Trip Status: Awaiting Your Feedback and Full Funding or Deposit
FUNDING
Option 1: Deposit and then residual
Option 2: Fully fund the trip
Option #1
Option #2
Both Option #1 and Option #2 include a non-refundable scheduling fee of $500.
Recommendations To Bring
Warm Clothing
Camera Equipment
Rain Gear
Don’t pack items you can buy here. Ex: toiletries
Spending Money
Lightweight Gloves
CLOTHING
Bring layers! Outer-shell should repel wind/water. Hopefully, we will not need this, but it’s better to have it than not. Inner layers (against skin) should be warm and moisture-wicking. Wear what you want in between. My recommendation is to be able to remove/add layers. However, pack as little as possible. Maybe 3-4 days worth of clothing. We can always wash clothes at a laundromat if necessary. Mornings may be cool. Afternoons will likely be warm in the Phoenix desert area.
Check the weather for these key areas before packing/leaving.
Phoenix | Sedona | Grand Canyon | Monument Valley
GEAR
Try to keep camera gear in a single backpack. Bring a tripod and try to be able to mount the tripod along the outside of your camera gear backpack. Don’t forget your: Camera. Batteries, Tripod, Lenses. Storage/Memory Cards, and Chargers.
We will be using a mix of wide and long lenses.
Things I will provide:
Tent
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Bag
Pillow
Some Food
Transportation
Lodging/Camping
Headlamp/torch
I will try to supply all the necessary camping equipment. This will include items such as a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow, headlamp, etc. I also plan to have some food items in the vehicle as we travel. Sometimes, stopping to eat at a restaurant is not feasible.
Your Homework:
Photography Homework: Know how to adjust your camera’s settings. Specifically: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO.
Questions / Concerns
Please email me with any questions or concerns that you may have.