Posted by Matt Flath on October 4, 2006 at 9:55 PM
Hi Folks,
I have a quick trip to Cuyahoga National Park planned for this weekend (drive up Friday, shoot Saturday and head back to Dayton that night). So I was wondering if you had any recommendations on where to spend my time while there.
I am actually planning the exact same trip this weekend. I am hoping to get to Brandywine falls, Blue Hen falls and whatever else I see along the way. Does anyone live in this area who could give an update on the leaf situation?
Posted by Josh Anderson on October 5, 2006 at 11:57 AM
Contact Jack Graham. He lives there and knows the area well.
"Jack Graham" <jack@jackgrahamphoto.com>
Posted by Josh Anderson on October 5, 2006 at 11:58 AM
He left a message earlier saying he would be out of town until October 9th. Thank you for the information though. Is there anyone else from the Cuyahoga area? If there is nothing happening I will stay in the area and go to John Bryan.
Martin,
A friend contacted the naturalist from John Bryan who said right now it is green, green and more green. He said the ONDR website reporting "nearing peak" was incorrect.
Martin,
I just checked the ODNR website again and it still lists JB as near peak and has added Buck Creek at near peak. I'm not sure what is going on.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on October 9, 2006 at 9:01 AM
Martin, from talking to Jack, color looks like it might be peaking 21-22 weekend. I am going to be up there shooting that weekend, and possibly the following weekend as well. Email me if you would like to meet up either weekend.
For locations, there are four waterfalls. Brandywine and Blue Hen Falls are the major ones. After shooting Blue Hen, keep following the trail back and you'll get to another one. I have never shot that one successfully. It is about 1/2 mile back further. There is also Bridal Veil Falls at the north end, near the golf course.
Also, follow the road from Bridal Veil west and hit the pulloffs. You look down into the gorge as well. Heading east along the road should get you to a stone bridge/ I have never shot it or know the location details.
Hale Farm, near the south end, is really good in the morning/sunrise for frost and fog.
The beaver pond, from the road, can make for good sunrise pictures it the light and clouds cooperate.
The Ledges (and the hiking trails around it) can make for some tighter shots, especially midday if it is sunny. You'll need to be selective here.
There are lots of little ponds which have potential and potentially a lot of algea on them as well.
That is what immediately comes to mind.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on October 9, 2006 at 9:04 AM
You can also walk up to Brandywine at the bottom, from the trail which goes past the Brandywine inn. There is a metro park at the western end of the road for Bridal Veil Falls, where you could also walk in the gorge.
Be careful, though. Water levels can be highly variable.
Thank you for the information Dan. I did go up there last weekend and am planning on returning this weekend hoping for the weather to cooperate a bit. The colors still have a way to go but the weekend of the 20th I will be in the Smokies and possibly the weekend after that as well.
Blue Hen falls was decent, I got there early enough that the falls were still in shade and there was enough fallen leaves to make for some interesting foregrounds.
By the time I got to Brandywine the light was too harsh and not a cloud in the sky. The color there still has a ways to go yet, it is mostly still green.
Bridal Veil falls didn't have much color and there wasn't much water flowing to even make that interesting. There were some nice spots along the trail though.
Overall I would have to agree that the peak will be between the 20th and end of the month. There are already some flashes of brilliant color in small pockets.
Discussion
9 repliesI have a quick trip to Cuyahoga National Park planned for this weekend (drive up Friday, shoot Saturday and head back to Dayton that night). So I was wondering if you had any recommendations on where to spend my time while there.
Thanks,
Matt
"Jack Graham" <jack@jackgrahamphoto.com>
jack@jackgrahamphoto.com
A friend contacted the naturalist from John Bryan who said right now it is green, green and more green. He said the ONDR website reporting "nearing peak" was incorrect.
I just checked the ODNR website again and it still lists JB as near peak and has added Buck Creek at near peak. I'm not sure what is going on.
For locations, there are four waterfalls. Brandywine and Blue Hen Falls are the major ones. After shooting Blue Hen, keep following the trail back and you'll get to another one. I have never shot that one successfully. It is about 1/2 mile back further. There is also Bridal Veil Falls at the north end, near the golf course.
Also, follow the road from Bridal Veil west and hit the pulloffs. You look down into the gorge as well. Heading east along the road should get you to a stone bridge/ I have never shot it or know the location details.
Hale Farm, near the south end, is really good in the morning/sunrise for frost and fog.
The beaver pond, from the road, can make for good sunrise pictures it the light and clouds cooperate.
The Ledges (and the hiking trails around it) can make for some tighter shots, especially midday if it is sunny. You'll need to be selective here.
There are lots of little ponds which have potential and potentially a lot of algea on them as well.
That is what immediately comes to mind.
Be careful, though. Water levels can be highly variable.
Blue Hen falls was decent, I got there early enough that the falls were still in shade and there was enough fallen leaves to make for some interesting foregrounds.
By the time I got to Brandywine the light was too harsh and not a cloud in the sky. The color there still has a ways to go yet, it is mostly still green.
Bridal Veil falls didn't have much color and there wasn't much water flowing to even make that interesting. There were some nice spots along the trail though.
Overall I would have to agree that the peak will be between the 20th and end of the month. There are already some flashes of brilliant color in small pockets.