Navajo guides in Navajo Monument Valley

[Bruce M. Herman]

Some years ago I spent some time in Navajo Monument Valley with a Navajo guide whose first name was Thomas. He seemed quite atuned to working with photographers. Unfortunately, I've subsequently lost the file with my information about his guiding service.

Has anyone used a guide in Monument Valley that they particularly liked? If so, would you please share the information?

Thanks, Bruce

[Chad Jarvis]

They swarm on you at the visitor's center like black flies during a Maine summer. Those who approached me seemed to be aware of what photographer's are looking for.

[Frank Filippone]

The comment about files is really appropriate. They are all over the place. Here is the problem..... you are NOT a normal photographer. YOu use a tripod, take forever to set up a shot, and carry your camera in a padded container. YOu wish to keep dust and sirt from your camera. Basically you ( WE) are a pain in the you know what. The guides are used to the shoot from the car, don't use a tripod, quick and dirty 35mm user. YOu will run into problems unless you get the right driver. There was an article in one of the photomags, I thin it was Phototechnique, that lited the specific name of a driver to use. If you can find the reference, I would approach him in advance.

The only way you are allowed onto the area other than 9-5 (?) normal hours is with a driver. You are not allowed to go anywhere you wish in your own car. You must stay on certain roads, and no off road stuff. The local drivers can provide you that service. I beg to repeat, you can not get all the shots without a driver. Getting the right driver is important. YOu may hire him by the trip or by the hour. Take the hour deal, that way he will not be in a rush to start the next group, and cheat you out of twhat you want. I also suggest that you bring representative images that you would also like to see. He can figure out the place, but without the photos, it will be hard to properly descrube the shots you have seen, and would like to be taken to.

There is only 1 hotel really close, Goldings. ( Gouldings?),. A bit pricey. There are many lower cost hotels in the general area, if you do not mind driving 1/2 hour to get there. Also, the reservation has a camping area right there at the visitors' area that you can take a spot at. Camp fees are probably low. Yes, they have bathrooms, but I doubt if they have showers. The visitor center has a restaurant. Not a great restaurant, but it will provide sustenance.

Enjoy, it is a wonderful place.

[Steve Sherman]

Bruce, I've lead a number of workshops in the area and anytime in Monument Valley we hired a guide by the name of Fredrick Cly. Took all day tours with his guides and then he and his wife arranged a full course steak and chicken barbeque at the end of our shooting day. Some of us ran late shooting while he and wife had food prepared and waiting. They never rushed us just took care of us first rate. On top of all this his father (name escapes me now) actually guided all the early photogs through the valley in the 40's, including the big fella, Ansel. He is an outstanding gentleman and first rate guide, we used him 4 or 5 times. Good luck, Steve

[Frank Filippone]

Steve.. do you have contact info on Mr. Cly?

[james mickelson]

Call The Monument and they will be more than happy to provide the names of competent guides who will give you good service. I take offense at the analogy of black flies swarming you. These are men who have families to feed and work in an environment where there is little other work for them. Most take you seriously if you show them the same courtesy you would like shown to you. The Monument has rules which all have to abide by. You might look a little deeper at the way many "tourists" treat them and realize that if this is what you do as a living day in and day out, you become a little calloused. But when you find someone who treats you with the respect that should be afforded you, you are more than likely to give better service. I have used a few guides and this is what I have found to be true.

[Geoffrey Swenson]

Bravo James for taking a stand!

[Steve Sherman]

Frank, When we were using his services I seem to remember he lived in Mexican Hat, Utah. I remember him telling us the schools were better there for his growing kids. I have an old brochure listed as Fred's Adventures Tours pH# 435-739-4294. As I remember this is his home so don't be surprised if you hear kids in the background. We did use another guide service once before we met Fred, he is the best! Hope the number works out. Steve

[Brian Ellis]

I've used two guides in Monument Valley. The first I obtained just by walking up to one of the stands outside the visitor center. I paid (in advance, that's the only way they'd do it) for a half day that was supposed to begin at noon. When the guy hadn't shown up by 1:00 I started asking other guides in the area how I could reach him. Of course no one knew who I was talking about, had never heard of anyone by that name (even though his stand was right next to theirs), etc. etc. Lots of "jokes about "Navajo Time" while I stood around and the day got later and later. Finally he showed around 4:00 and we raced out in his jeep to try to get something in the dwindling light. We managed to get to one place (the teardrop rock that you've seen on the cover of at least 10 magazines) and I made about ten photographs there before dark. So if you end up resorting to hit and miss at the visitor's center, good luck, try to avoid paying in advance.

The second one was found through someone I met at a workshop and the guy was great (though expensive). Unfortunately I don't have any contact information for him but he and his brother were both guides and worked out of the area around the visitor's center. His brother was an albino and there can't be that many guides who have albino brothers who also are guides so if you don't get any better recomendations from others you could ask around the visitor's center. He took as to the highest peak in Monument Valley where we camped out over night and so were able to catch the evening and morning light, he provided the camping equipment, fixed a nice meal, and was a super nice guy to boot. I'm very sorry I can't find contact information for you but it would be worth some inquiry around the visitor's center if you can't get contact information on a reliable guide from someone here or elsewhere.

[james mickelson]

I would bet that if you contacted someone from Arizona Highways or Steve Simmons, you could find the perfect guide. Give it a try.

[Kosta]

I was in Monument Valley in September 1997 with another photographer friend. We simply hired a guide for an afternoon to take just us around. He took us all over the place and stopped at all the main spots. If we wanted to shoot, we simply got out and our guide tell us the signficance of what we were shooting. So, our experience was completely positive. At the end, we gave our guide an extra tip for doing such a great job. I didn't get his name. We just made it clear what we wanted and got what we asked for.

I plan on going back next fall, and I will look up the names given above though - just in case I was unusually lucky back in '97.

And the camping facilities at Goulding do have showers.

[bill proud]

Bruce,

I used Tito's group, Sacred Monument Tours in 2002 and was pleased with their service. Got to the Teardrop in plenty of time for great shots. I'm not sure if this number is still current but may be worth a try. 435-727-3218, cell number is 928-380-4527, email smtours@citilink.net.

James, well said.

Steve, I haven't seen Fred Cly advertised for some time now. I heard he was the best but I haven't used him.

Keep in mind, these days they get $20.00/hour per person.

good luck

[QT Luong]

In Photograph America #77, Hitchman recommends Tom Phillips (www.monumentvalley.com). He used to recommend another guide named Roy LaJollie or something like that (a LF photographer himself), but appears to have rescinded that recommendation due to no-shows.

[Jan Vasilius]

You're right! There are not many Navajo albinos giving tours in Monument Valley. The albino brother is Harold Simpson. Your guide was very likely Richard Simpson. The brothers and other family members have a tour service called "Simpson's Trailhandlers." They have an excellent website under that name. I live in Tucson and visit Monument Valley at least once a year. I have used the Simpsons personally many times, usually with small groups of teenaged foreign exchange students. I have also sent friends and visitors to them with only great reviews. The Simpson's will handle your requests. Just be clear about your needs. They grew up in the valley and can combine landscape and culture. They are also very adaptable for first time visitors. Let them know if you want to take photos, hike, visit a hogan, etc. Richard even led my German "sons" to the top of a butte to watch the sunrise.

[Troyson Cly]

My father is Fred H. Cly owner of Fred's Adventure Tours.
Fred’s been a guide in Monument Valley for over 17 years now.
Born and raised in Monument Valley, UT.
He is a well-known great guide & location scout.
We have tours available daily in Monument Valley.
Fred specializes in photography, movies, documentaries, & commercials also.

Are contact information is:

Fred's Adventure Tours
Fred H. Cly
p.o. box 310308
Mexican Hat, UT 84531
(435) 739-4294

[Larry Smith]

My wife and I went to the valley about four years ago. We walked up to a vendor and they charged the two of us $60. We thot it was expensive but went anyhow. Our guide was a school teacher off season. At the time I did not have a large format camera but a 21/4. He let me take all the time I needed. We want to go again at any price.