Milky Way By Glass Mountain And Temple Of The Sun

Stargazing with the Milky Way extending over Capitol Reef National Park in Utah was an unforgettable experience. We were blessed to capture it from the backcountry of Cathedral Valley by Glass Mountains and Temple of the Sun rock formation. It's hard to see but the smaller Temple of the Moon is beside the 400 foot monolith. Using a flashlight, we shined the light on the 15 foot tall Glass Mountain which is made of sparkling selenite (gypsum) crystals. It really does look like glass and is really cool to see.

Above us, the Milky Way had a faint green glow, an atmospheric phenomenon known as airglow, added an beautiful touch. I’ll admit, being out in the dark like that isn’t usually my comfort zone, but having an experienced guide made all the difference. He knew exactly where to go and how to navigate the terrain safely.

With some of the darkest skies in the country, Capitol Reef offers incredible stargazing, and that night proved it. The stars were absolutely breathtaking, one of those moments that makes every bit of effort completely worth it.

This photo was taken by Jennifer White with Timeless Moments Photography. All images are copyrighted Timeless Moments Photography/Jennifer White. All rights reserved.