Name: Carved by Time: The Slots of Owl Canyon
Start: 2025-03-01T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-03-01T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Let’s finish up 2024 with an early morning photo walk at the Clark County Wetlands Nature Park. This hidden gem is a 2,900-acre park rich in history and serves as a vital ecological buffer between the urban landscape and the natural desert wetlands. With its scenic walking trails and diverse habitats, the park offers plenty of opportunities for landscape, macro, and even wildlife photography.

From delicate wildflowers and plant life perfect for macro shots to the abundant bird species and other wildlife that call the park home, there’s something for every photographer. This will be your last chance in 2024 to connect with fellow DPE photographers while immersing yourself in the beauty of the wetlands, so register today!

For those who might be interested, we could enjoy a brunch together following the event.

Sorry, but dogs and drones are not allowed in the Nature Park.

**MEETUP FEES:**
There is no fee for this Meetup.

**PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:**
Be prepared to walk and carry your gear up to 2-3 miles; most of the trails are paved or graded gravel, though some photo spots may require some scrambling up and around rocky areas.

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please be courteous and cancel your RSVP so that someone else can attend.

By submitting your RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you agree that the Organizer(s), and Event Host(s) are NOT responsible for your safety or for any injury or damage to your person or your property, or that of your guest(s). You agree that you have read the instructions of this announcement and that you and your guest(s) are assuming all risks of participating in the event.

Desert Photo Explorers

John C

Thomas Seubert

Timothy Douglass

Clark County Wetlands Nature Park Photo Walk

Wetlands Park Nature Center

Those who attended this event this year had an absolute blast and got some amazing pictures, so let’s go back again in 2025! With over 900 cars on display, it was a photographer’s paradise – a dazzling mix of classic hot rods, modern muscle cars, and sleek supercars. The event, which runs from January 17-19 next year, features stunning chrome, eye-catching paint jobs, and roaring engines.

We had so much fun capturing not just the cars, but also the passionate owners who proudly shared stories of their beloved vehicles. The energy and excitement was contagious, and the camaraderie made for some great candid moments. We’ll definitely be back at this amazing show held at various Mesquite locations, including the CasaBlanca Resort, Eureka Casino, Oasis, and Virgin River parking lots.

If you can’t find something to take a great picture of here, well… you are not trying too hard!

[Click here for more information about the Mesquite Motor Mania Car Show](https://casablancaresort.com/entertainment/mesquite-motor-mania/)

While this is a 3 day show, Saturday is the “official” DPE event day. Feel free to attend any of the days that match your schedule, however.

**MEETUP INFO:**
This is a NO HOST meetup; information is being posted solely to make DPE members aware of this event. If anyone plans to attend and wants to meet other group members, drop a note in the discussion section.

Mesquite is around a 90 minute drive from Las Vegas, so plan accordingly to arrive in time for the scheduled event(s).

[The event schedule can be found online here.](https://casablancaresort.com/entertainment/mesquite-motor-mania/)

**MEETUP FEES:**
There are no fees for this Meetup.

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
By submitting you RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you agree that the Organizer(s), and Event Host(s) are NOT responsible for your safety or for any injury or damage to your person or your property, or that of your guest(s). You agree that you have read the instructions of this announcement and that you and your guest(s) are assuming all risks of participating in the event.

Michelle Wilson 

Mesquite Motor Mania 2025

Casablanca Resort in Mesquite

This is becoming an annual tradition because if offers so many interesting photo opportunities and it’s an event our members really seem to enjoy!

Hot Air Balloons may not be the fastest way to fly the skies, but you can’t argue that they can be among the most colorful! Let’s take the opportunity to shoot these brightly colored balloons at the annual Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival taking place from January 24-26. Our official DPE day will be on Saturday, January 25, but feel free to attend and enjoy any or all of the days!

As the sun goes down, a balloon glow will take place in the evening (6-7pm), offering a beautiful photo opportunity of inflated balloons lit by their burners. And early each morning the balloons will take flight (weather permitting) for more photo opportunities as they go up, up and away! Spectators are invited to walk among the inflated hot air balloons on display for an up-close experience.

The Festival takes place at the Casablanca Resort in Mesquite, NV.

[Click here for more information about the Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival](https://casablancaresort.com/entertainment/hot-air-balloon-festival/)

Note that the balloon events are weather dependent, so the schedule could change without notice.

**MEETUP INFO:**
This is a NO HOST meetup; information is being posted solely to make DPE members aware of this event. If anyone plans to attend and wants to meet other group members, drop a note in the discussion section.

Mesquite is around a 90 minute drive from Las Vegas, so plan accordingly to arrive in time for the scheduled event(s).

[The event schedule can be found online here.](https://casablancaresort.com/entertainment/hot-air-balloon-festival/)

**MEETUP FEES:**
There are no fees for this Meetup.

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
By submitting you RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you agree that the Organizer(s), and Event Host(s) are NOT responsible for your safety or for any injury or damage to your person or your property, or that of your guest(s). You agree that you have read the instructions of this announcement and that you and your guest(s) are assuming all risks of participating in the event.

Mesquite Hot Air Balloon Festival 2025

Casa Blanca Resort

This will be a fun opportunity to experiment with some long exposures and capture vehicle light trails driving over and around Hoover Dam.

But first, we’ll start by capturing a (hopefully) breathtaking sunset as it paints the sky and reflects off the water of the Colorado River. Then, as the night falls, we will move up high and change our focus towards photographing the light trails as cars drive over the dam and around the winding roads up the Arizona side. This is a fantastic opportunity to practice long exposure techniques and create dynamic, colorful images against the backdrop of this iconic landmark.

Don’t miss out—bring your camera gear, tripod, and a spirit of experimentation!

**MEETUP INFO:**
We will meet at 5:00pm in the Boulder Bridge parking lot. This is the first parking lot on the right when you pass security to enter Hoover Dam and allows access to the Mike O’Callagan/Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Plaza.

This is around a 1-hour drive from Las Vegas, so please plan accordingly to arrive on time. All vehicles will need to go through a security check so please factor that additional time into your commute.

**MEETUP FEES:**
There will be a $10 fee for this event to help the Desert Photo Explorers defray the cost of using Meetup. Please be prepared to pay the organizer in CASH when we meet.

Note that Hoover Dam is currently constructing toll booths along the entry road. As of this posting, these are currently unmanned, but they could start operation at any time. There may be an additional fee to enter Hoover Dam if they do start to operate these toll booths before this Meetup.

**PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:**
Most activities will be in the paved parking lots and on paved areas. Our gear will be nearby in vehicles so there will be little need to carry much.

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please be courteous and cancel your RSVP so that someone else can attend.

By submitting your RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you agree that the Organizer(s), and Event Host(s) are NOT responsible for your safety or for any injury or damage to your person or your property, or that of your guest(s). You agree that you have read the instructions of this announcement and that you and your guest(s) are assuming all risks of participating in the event.

Randi Mears

Sunset and Light Trails at Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam

Will we see owls in Owl Canyon? Hoo knows? But what we *will* see is an interesting slot canyon hidden inside of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This geological wonder was shaped by millions of years of water and wind erosion. The walls, etched with ancient textures and striations, tell a story of our region’s evolution.

Pack a wide angle lens to capture the canyon’s narrow passageways and towering red rock walls. There are also opportunities for more traditional landscape photography as the area is ringed by mountains and views that extend for miles. Let’s grab some images and explore our backyard!

Note that this is a popular hike, so we will need to also pack our patience as other people come through the canyon.

**MEETUP INFO:**
We will meet at 8am in the parking lot of the Owl Canyon Trailhead.

This is around a 45 minute drive from Las Vegas, so please plan accordingly to arrive on time. Add in a few extra minutes to pay the entry fee (below) as there is often a line of vehicles on weekend mornings.

**MEETUP FEES:**
There is a $25 fee (per vehicle) to enter Lake Mead National Recreation Area. There are kiosks at the entrances where you can pay this fee. If you have an America the Beautiful pass that will cover this entrance fee.

**PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:**
This event requires a strenuous hike carrying your gear up to 2-3 miles across a variety of desert surfaces including loose sand, dirt, and gravel. The most challenging spot is the start/end of the trail where you will need to traverse a steep trail, approximately 40-feet in height, with loose dirt and rocks. There are also a couple of other areas of elevation change along the trail. It could be hot and we will need to hike across some open desert, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat!

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
By submitting your RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you agree that the Organizer(s), and Event Host(s) are NOT responsible for your safety or for any injury or damage to your person or your property, or that of your guest(s). You agree that you have read the instructions of this announcement and that you and your guest(s) are assuming all risks of participating in the event.

Carved by Time: The Slots of Owl Canyon

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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