Posted by Rob Haman on February 6, 2007 at 8:51 AM
After my first trip to the Northshore last fall, missing the peak colors by about a week, I've wanted to return for some winter images. Was thinking of sometime this month but from reading other posts it doesn't sound very "wintery" other than the extreme cold we are enjoying here in Iowa as well.
Any updates from those of you who live closer to the area would be appreciated over the next few weeks. Split Rock, Gooseberry and a couple of others in that area are some that I'm thinking of, but again it was a brief trip last fall so those more familiar with the area that have ideas for this time of year, your comments would be welcome as to locations.
Did you come up the Fall of '06 or of '05? What week did you swing up?
I was up to Split Rock and Tettegouche a couple of weeks ago and there was very little snow at that time. Probably an inch on the ground, which is significantly below average for January. Gooseberry seemed to be in about the same predicament when I drove by. I am unsure if they've received any snow since then or not. You may find it worth your time to give the various state park offices a call and ask the DNR rangers what the current conditions are. Most of the state parks run limited hours durring the winter "off" season, so you may have to try a couple of times or leave a message. Saturdays tend to be manned during the mid-day. There is ice along the shoreline at spots, and there were some cool ice formations on the rocks that were fun to photograph. Still, my advice would be to wait for some notable snow, you'll have more options this way. You can also base the snow conditions off of the "trail conditions" listing (with the cross-country skiier) on the Minnesota DNR's webpage. All the ski trails are currently listed as "closed" up to Cascade River, which is then listed as "poor". So, I would interprit that as no significant snow until at least Grand Marais. Up to this point it's been kind of a bummer of a winter, hopefully that changes!
I hope that helps. I'll keep you posted if I find anything else out. Best of luck!
Posted by Rob Haman on February 7, 2007 at 9:33 AM
Joel,
I actaully have to retract my previous statement, I was thinking of my trip to the UP when I said I was there a week too late (they say the minds the first to go!!). I had made a scouting trip to the northshore over a long Labor Day weekend in ''06 just to get an idea of places to go when conditions were good.
Now that I have my senses back with me I recall there was already some color beginning at that time and in talking with one of the park rangers the color was expected to be quite early.
So anyway, my plan is to return to the shoreline to photograph some of the ice formations as well as some frozen waterfalls but even if there was 2' of snow to dress it up the deep freeze also has me on hold as I intend to use large format. Still quite new to the camera, even when my fingers aren't completely numb I really have to think through the settings - not to mention I can't hold my breath long enough not to breathe on the GG!!!
I was up there over Labor Day this past year as well, and you're right, there were signs of fall already. I took a week long trip up there the last week of September, and that was a touch past peak. Some areas were at peak, others were a bit past. The maples as a whole had for the most part expired by that point, but the birch trees were just hitting full stride. Not the best fall, but I think 2005 was probably worse. Sorry to hear that your UP trip wasn't at full color. It's always a gamble.
If you want to just shoot Ice, you could probably head up at anypoint. The falls have been frozen for some time. I shot at Gooseberry around new years, and they were frozen at that point. If you're looking to photograph shore ice, things are probably pretty good for it. Late February or early March might prove to be more pleasant in terms of temp though.
As far as large format winter photography goes, I find it pretty doable. I wear thin liner gloves that allow me to easily adjust the camera, and then I slip my hands (liners still on) into some warm mittens when I'm done setting up. Hand warmers in the mitts can be nice if it's really cold. As far as the ground glass goes, that's always a game. I personally go for the "hold your breath" meathod, and that works for me. I have heard of people buying plastic tubing that they breath out of as well...desperate people as they say.
Discussion
3 repliesAny updates from those of you who live closer to the area would be appreciated over the next few weeks. Split Rock, Gooseberry and a couple of others in that area are some that I'm thinking of, but again it was a brief trip last fall so those more familiar with the area that have ideas for this time of year, your comments would be welcome as to locations.
Did you come up the Fall of '06 or of '05? What week did you swing up?
I was up to Split Rock and Tettegouche a couple of weeks ago and there was very little snow at that time. Probably an inch on the ground, which is significantly below average for January. Gooseberry seemed to be in about the same predicament when I drove by. I am unsure if they've received any snow since then or not. You may find it worth your time to give the various state park offices a call and ask the DNR rangers what the current conditions are. Most of the state parks run limited hours durring the winter "off" season, so you may have to try a couple of times or leave a message. Saturdays tend to be manned during the mid-day. There is ice along the shoreline at spots, and there were some cool ice formations on the rocks that were fun to photograph. Still, my advice would be to wait for some notable snow, you'll have more options this way. You can also base the snow conditions off of the "trail conditions" listing (with the cross-country skiier) on the Minnesota DNR's webpage. All the ski trails are currently listed as "closed" up to Cascade River, which is then listed as "poor". So, I would interprit that as no significant snow until at least Grand Marais. Up to this point it's been kind of a bummer of a winter, hopefully that changes!
I hope that helps. I'll keep you posted if I find anything else out. Best of luck!
I actaully have to retract my previous statement, I was thinking of my trip to the UP when I said I was there a week too late (they say the minds the first to go!!). I had made a scouting trip to the northshore over a long Labor Day weekend in ''06 just to get an idea of places to go when conditions were good.
Now that I have my senses back with me I recall there was already some color beginning at that time and in talking with one of the park rangers the color was expected to be quite early.
So anyway, my plan is to return to the shoreline to photograph some of the ice formations as well as some frozen waterfalls but even if there was 2' of snow to dress it up the deep freeze also has me on hold as I intend to use large format. Still quite new to the camera, even when my fingers aren't completely numb I really have to think through the settings - not to mention I can't hold my breath long enough not to breathe on the GG!!!
I was up there over Labor Day this past year as well, and you're right, there were signs of fall already. I took a week long trip up there the last week of September, and that was a touch past peak. Some areas were at peak, others were a bit past. The maples as a whole had for the most part expired by that point, but the birch trees were just hitting full stride. Not the best fall, but I think 2005 was probably worse. Sorry to hear that your UP trip wasn't at full color. It's always a gamble.
If you want to just shoot Ice, you could probably head up at anypoint. The falls have been frozen for some time. I shot at Gooseberry around new years, and they were frozen at that point. If you're looking to photograph shore ice, things are probably pretty good for it. Late February or early March might prove to be more pleasant in terms of temp though.
As far as large format winter photography goes, I find it pretty doable. I wear thin liner gloves that allow me to easily adjust the camera, and then I slip my hands (liners still on) into some warm mittens when I'm done setting up. Hand warmers in the mitts can be nice if it's really cold. As far as the ground glass goes, that's always a game. I personally go for the "hold your breath" meathod, and that works for me. I have heard of people buying plastic tubing that they breath out of as well...desperate people as they say.