The objective for this image was to capture the curved leading lines of the road through Cottonwood Pass, bringing the viewer's eye up towards the mountains and the Milky Way overhead. The smoke from nearby forest fires covered the sky in a thick haze during the day, making it seem like the shot wouldn’t be possible. Luckily, the smoke settled into the valleys below the mountains as night fell, revealing a cloudless, starry sky. With the weather conditions looking perfect, we parked alongside the road and set up the tripod and star tracker. Every few minutes a car or two would come by and glide down into the growing darkness on the mountain pass.

Withstanding millions of years of wind and water erosion, the American Southwest is home to some of the most jaw-dropping deep desert scenes in the world. A haven for outdoor hiking enthusiasts, the possibilities for exploration are endless. Catch a glimpse of some of the stunning views of the SW, knowing that there's always more to explore.