WHAT: In this shooting-intensive two-day trip (11/28-29/09), we’ll capture an amazing array of images from modern, old, and ancient cultures in Southern Nevada and Arizona. We’ll shoot indoors and out…everything from scenic landscapes, to kitschy antiques, to movie props, to old buildings, to abandoned cars, to ancient petroglyphs, to Laughlin night lights reflected on the Colorado River…and more. You’re welcome to join us for all or part of the trek.

NOTE: I’m an amateur photographer. If there are any pro’s reading this who are willing to share their expertise (e.g., portrait, landscape, macro, or stock-photo insights) please let me know and I’ll schedule you in.

WHEN: November 28 & 29 (Thanksgiving weekend; join for all or part of the trip). Meet at 7:30a Saturday morning at the Techatticup Mine (a few miles past Nelson, NV; directions below) for a trip briefing, schedule, and maps.

WHERE: We’ll visit the following locations (subject to change, depending on weather conditions and group interests; I’ll post the final itinerary on Friday afternoon—11/27):

• Saturday Morning (7:30a): Techatticup Mine near Nelson, NV (antique buildings, relics, vehicles, and signs; cool junk; movie props; etc…. a frequent Old West locale for portrait photography). OPTIONAL: Sunrise at Techatticup mine/Eldorado Canyon; Techatticup Mine Tour ($; users’ reviews say it’s a “don’t miss”); portrait photography w/vintage vehicles (bring props and reflectors, if you want to experiment); Nelson’s Landing w/view of Lake Mojave; hikes/drives exploring the canyons & washes in Eldorado Canyon;
  
• Saturday Afternoon (2p): Mouth of Grapevine Canyon (ancient petroglyphs; 1100-1900 AD; on National Register of Historic Places; ¼ mi walk up a wide, gravel wash). OPTIONAL: Hike up Grapevine Canyon to seasonal waterfall. In Laughlin: Riverside Resort’s Classic Auto Showroom ($free); Gambling Train of Laughlin (2121 S Casino Dr; replica of a turn-of-the-century steam train; $free; Big Bend State Recreation Area (5 mi S of Laughlin, Needles Hwy.… "dramatic views of river and surrounding mountains"…daylight hours only); Laughlin’s River of Lights Holiday Boat Parade (4:30-7p; $free);

• Saturday Night (8p): Laughlin, NV (night lights from the banks of the Colorado River in Bullhead City; near “Free Boat Rides” dock).

• Sunday Morning (7:30a): Silver Creek Road (gravel; dusty) to Route 66 (including Sitgreaves Pass and Ed’s Camp), and Oatman, AZ (a “living ghost town” w/wild burros, cowboys, gunfights and scenic landscapes). OPTIONAL: Sunrise at Big Bend (see above), or along Silver Creek Road; the Route 66 Museum in Kingman; Shaffer’s Fishbowl; Katherine’s Landing/Mine;

• Sunday Afternoon (2p): Spirit Mountain Wilderness Area. OPTIONAL: sunset on Route 66 (e.g., Oatman’s Black Mountains, Sitgreaves Pass, etc.); Searchlight (old mining artifacts); Cottonwood Cove; Bridge Spring Arch Trail (1.5 mi, 2-4 hr); Keyhole Canyon (petroglyphs; 1/4 mi hike/walk); Ireteba Peaks hike; Spirit Mountain hike; or any of Saturday’s locales.
  

CARPOOLING STRONGLY ENCOURAGED: Suggest a $15 donation to your carpool driver. To those who are willing to drive (approximately 275 miles), please post the following information to this site:

• How many passengers you can comfortably accommodate
  
• Which day(s) you are going (i.e., Saturday, Sunday, or both)
  
• Part of town (for convenient connections/pickups)
  
• Your Name
  
• Phone number
  

DIRECTIONS TO TECHATTICUP MINE: Take US93/95 from Henderson toward Boulder City. Watch for signs before Boulder City to Searchlight/Laughlin/Needles, and take that exit (south) onto US95 (also called Veterans Memorial Hwy). At 10.3 mi on US 95, turn left/east onto NV165. The dead-end road follows Eldorado Canyon through the Eldorado Mountains for 18 miles. The town of Nelson is 11.3mi from the US95xNV165 turnoff. Our destination, The Techatticup Mine, is another 1.5 mi past Nelson. (FYI, NV165 dead ends at Lake Mojave (The Colorado Rive) about 5 miles past the mine.)

EQUIPMENT: Camera gear (a dust-proof bag is recommended for the backcountry); tripod; reflectors (if you have them); hiking boots, long pants, and trekking poles (if you plan to hike); sun protection; inclement-weather gear; water; snacks; props/vintage clothing (if you want to experiment w/portraits).

COSTS: Meals, fees, and accommodations paid for by participants. Suggested $15/person donation to your carpool driver.

HOTEL INFO:

• [Among Laughlin’s Nicest Hotels] Golden Nugget Laughlin (voted #1 of 11 on Trip Advisor; $70 estm.; 2300 S. Casino Dr.; (702) 298-7111 or (800) 950-7700)…IF ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED, I WILL INQUIRE ABOUT A GROUP DISCOUNT

• [Among Laughlin’s Cheapest Hotels] Colorado Belle (voted #8 of 11 on Trip Advisor; $50 estm.)

• [RV Parks] Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort RV Park (1650 S Casino Dr.; reservations recommended; [masked]); Davis Camp (dry camping by Laughlin Bridge in Bullhead City, AZ; [masked])