Boot Arch

Boot Arch is a lesser-known natural sandstone arch tucked into the northern section of Alabama Hills, framed by rugged granite boulders and backed by the dramatic ridgeline of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. The arch itself is compact, which rewards wide-angle lenses in the 14-24mm range; get low and close to fill the foreground with textured rock while pulling the arch and the mountains into a single frame. Golden hour light wraps beautifully around the surrounding formations, and the arch faces in a direction that suits both sunrise and late afternoon shooting. Astrophotography is where this spot really earns its reputation, with the Milky Way aligning well overhead during summer months and minimal light pollution this far from town. Scout the location during daylight since the trail is unmarked and easy to lose in the dark. Sturdy footwear helps on the uneven terrain. (Lone Pine, California, United States)