Idaho-based photographer Mike Thueson recently purchased his first drone, and since then, he has been obsessed with seeing the places he always photographerd from new vantage points. But prehaps his favorite moment as a new drone owner came when he recently drove through Factory Butte Recreation Area in southern Utah. The land is sanwhiched between Capitol Reef National Park to the west and Canyonlands National Park to the East, making it right in the middle of some of the most scenic landscape in the west. But being that it is so close to these National Parks, Factory Butte sees relativly litter foot traffic. But, dirt bike traffic, that’s another story.
When Thueson arrived on a clear and beautiful January day, he was amazed at the banked slopes that jutted out from the desert floor. But then, he saw something moving fast up the steep 100 foot climb. It was a dirt bike rider, seeminly testing fate byflying up the slopes until banking at the last possible minute to coast back down to the desert floor. Thueson had seen photos of riders at this location before, but when he drove through, he wasn’t sure if he would be lucky enough to capture them himself. But sure enough, riders Jesse Gross and Mike Pettingill were out this day, and they put on a great show for Thueson, and thanks to his photos and video, us as well.
Follow Mike Thueson’s adventures on his Instgram, @knowledgeableidiot
