This image was shot about a hour prior to sunrise facing the east towards the eventual rising sun. The clouds you see through the North Window played an issue with my original plans to create an image with lots of stars with an iconic landscape feature. Instead, I shot this with my red flashlight illuminating the fin that makes up the North and South Windows. Of course, the weather was freezing though comfortable with my many layers of clothing.
1123950 The trail here is quite sketchy. It's a barely worn single track with lots of loose rock. Minimal shoes were bare useful in broad daylight and might be unacceptable at night with few visual references to help with foot planting. Because of the very primitive nature of the trail, I elected to not stay with False Kiva through sunset and instead made my way back to the motorcycle. I think I need to do a couple of things next time. First, have better foot ware. Second, bring a hiking pole. That means carry all camera gear on the body instead of using the hands and over the should like I normally do. Third, plan the arrival or departure to take advantage of a setting--pre sunrise--or rising--post sunset--moon. It'll make things a lot easier than only depending on a headlamp or handheld flashlight.