Posted by Mike Spivey on October 27, 2009 at 2:05 PM
I took 15 of my Tulsa photography club members on a field trip to the Buffalo area this weekend. The first stop was Hawksbill Crag. Well, until we got to the trailhead. I counted 60 vehicles lined up and down the road. We bailed on that hike. I could see a line of 30 people lined up to take pix at the Crag.
Geez that is crazy. We went to Flatside Pinnacle Saturday afternoon. There were probably 7-10 cars there, which is more than I have ever seen. 60 is a crazy number though, maybe that is why I never shoot there.
Our workshop group went to eight different locations this past weekend in the upper Buffalo area and never saw another photographer. I've been to the Crag at least a dozen times in the past two weeks and never saw anyone - you really just have to pick your times and if you go to a very popular location on the peak weekend of the year you will expect to see other people - they came to see the beautiful Crag just like you did. There were a lot more folks out and about this past weekend enjoying the great outdoors - it was great to see that. These wild places are not reserved just for photographers. Peak weekends in the Ozarks will always be crowded at iconic locations like the Crag. The more city folks get out to enjoy the outdoors the more they will help protect it, so I say bring them on. 16 photographers in one group? Man that is a crowd in itself and half of that line of 30 would have been your group.
By the way, it would have been worth the wait. There is no other place like it, and the colors were pretty nice...
There was a decent sized workshop at Stouts Point on Petit Jean Sunday morning as well. Probably 12 people. They had donuts and coffee right behind them as they were shooting. I was very tempted to join in with them. It was cold and I like coffee and donuts.
Posted by John Moore on October 28, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Thanks for the info Mike. My wife and I spent the weekend in the Ponca area. I wanted to take her to see the Crag, but the weather wasn't agreeable Friday and I assumed it would be crazy Saturday and Sunday. You just confirmed that for me.
Discussion
4 repliesWe did have a good time the rest of the weekend.
By the way, it would have been worth the wait. There is no other place like it, and the colors were pretty nice...