Posted by John Williams on March 31, 2012 at 12:54 AM
It has been awhile since we've had one, so Catherine and I have been kicking ideas around about shooting events. It's a ways down the road, but I'd like to get some feedback on whether anyone would be interested in a camping event in July. I'm thinking of heading to Takhlakh Lake for Friday and Saturday nights, the 13th and 14th. The campground can be reserved at www.recreation.gov, but is very popular and fills fast (thus the brainstorming now).
It's a bit of a drive to get to this area, but there is a lot to photograph. (Some of the drive in, whether from the north or the south, is on dirt roads, but they are typically okay for a passenger car.) In addition to the lake, that time of year potentially has a lot of flowers in the surrounding meadows and forest. There are some very nice hikes heading up to the Pacific Crest Trail and Mt. Adams. If you are coming from the south, Lower Lewis River Falls is a great stop on the way in.
If you can't make it for both nights, you'd be welcome to join for one. You could even join for just the day, although it would be a long one due to the drive in and out. Let me know your thoughts. If there is interest, we can talk about reservations, car pooling, etc.
I'll post a few of my photos from the area below. If you have some too, please add them.
Posted by John Williams on March 31, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Posted by John Williams on March 31, 2012 at 1:03 AM
Posted by John Williams on March 31, 2012 at 1:05 AM
Posted by John Williams on March 31, 2012 at 1:07 AM
Posted by John Williams on March 31, 2012 at 1:08 AM
Posted by John Williams on March 31, 2012 at 1:10 AM
I have some fall shots too, but these are more representative of what me might find in July. Like I say, add yours if you have them, and let me know if you'd be interested.
I and a friend, who is not yet a member, would likely be interested. Just curious, about when in July would you be thinking of? Also, when did you capture the Lupine images?
Oh, man! Seeing your images, John, really makes me interested!
Posted by John Williams on April 1, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Phil, the weekend of the 13th through the 15th.
The lupine photos were taken July 24-26, 2009.
Posted by Greg Vaughn on April 1, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Excellent choice for a rendezvous. There are many great photo ops in this area. I can't commit yet, but sure would like to attend this gathering if I can. And, excellent photos, John!
Posted by Steve Kennedy on April 2, 2012 at 12:22 AM
Like Greg, I can't commit yet but I think its a great idea. If I can I will attend.
Posted by Ned Fenimore on April 2, 2012 at 2:36 PM
I'd be interested to see the dates. I'm in Boston the 16th through 20th, though. Looks like a great area..
Posted by John Williams on April 11, 2012 at 11:41 PM
I went ahead and reserved Site #031 (recreation.gov has a map). The total for the two nights including the reservation fee was $45.00. The site allows up to six people, and I'm happy to share. They do say that it is limited to one vehicle, but I'm not sure how strictly this is enforced. If the do enforce it, I think you could just park a vehicle in the Day Use area.
Hopefully others are able to make it, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed the flowers are booming.
(Rick, it will finally be great to meet you in person!)
Posted by Jeremy Cram on April 15, 2012 at 8:50 PM
I'm in! July 13-15 if I read that correctly..?
Posted by wade pettitt on April 16, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Hey all, I have reserved site #32 and my mom and dad have reserved site#34. I did read that for 8$ you can have an extra vehicle for each site. Mom and dad and I will be there the night of the 12th.
Posted by John Williams on April 17, 2012 at 1:50 AM
Awesome Jeremy, those are the correct dates.
Sounds great Wade!! I may be able to make it up the night of the 12th, but am unsure enough I didn't reserve. If I do make it, I may just camp in the area near the campground, and then move over the next day.
I had missed the $8 extra vehicle, so again if someone wants to share my site they are welcome.
I'm in. Looks like we will have a good size group. I reserved site #29 to be sure we have enough space. I am more than happy to share the space with others.
It looks like we have 4 spaces reserved (29, 31, 32 and 34).
My shooting partner and I will be attending. Just a question John on the images you posted. Were those taken on the trail through Takh Takh Meadows or somewhere else in the vicinity?
Phil, the second photo was taken at Muddy Meadows, about six miles from Takhlakh. The third and fourth were taken in a meadow that is about half way between Takhlakh and Muddy. While Takh Takh has great color in the fall, I haven't been able to catch it with a good bloom yet.
Does anyone have room for one more at their camp site? I would love to join you if you do. I can be there for both nights.
Let me know on this post or email me at lightcatchersite@gmail.com
Thanks, Steve, for the invite. Will you be arriving on Friday the 13th? I assume that everyone is on their own for meals, is that correct?
Posted by Steve Kennedy on June 12, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Yes, I will be arriving on Friday. I haven't seen anything so far on food. If you want to coordinate some meals, send me an email and we can it out off line. It would be fun to do it on a broader scale too.
Posted by John Williams on June 13, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Glad you'll be joining Don! You are correct, we are doing meals on our own.
John, my friend Ron, who made our campground reservations, just received an email from the forest service cancelling our reservations as they do not expect the campground to open until July 15th due to heavy snow. Even then I doubt that any flowers will be up. Has anyone tried to get up in the vicinity to check on actual, on the ground conditions? Last week west of Trout Lake we found some snow on the ground around 3,000 feet. I think the campground is close to 5,000.
Yes, I,m with Steve. Do we have an alternative we could meet at the same weekend?
I was really looking forward to this and finally meet some of the NPN's.
Ditto, I received the same information and refund. Sigh... the best laid plans of mice and men.
I agree Phil, if the snow is really that tenacious, it is likely the flowers will be delayed and they are one of the main draws for that location.
Since we all had this weekend scheduled for our trip I think it would be easier to change locations than dates, but I'm open to either. I did not have an alternative location in mind, and am open to suggestions. Any thoughts out there for areas we might consider?
How about the coast? Maybe the Cape Kiwanda or Seal Rock State Wayside areas in Oregon, or farther north toward the Olympics (Kalaloch)? The gorge might still be pretty green, and offers a lot of options. I have no idea how easy reservations might be at these locations, so give me some feedback on where might be interesting and I'll check on that.
How about next weekend , July 20st ? I am thinking of going (weather permitting). Last year found that Adams Fork (few miles downhill) is less popular with campers, yet within easy distance to the Takhlakh. July 20st weekend still have few spots open.
I suspect that is the dilemma. With such short notice, many won't be able to change dates. I work on the 20th, so I'm out too.
I'll try and work on locations this afternoon. Please do post any suggestions (thanks for the idea Vlad!!) you may have. If we can come up with something, we'll still try to pull it off. If not, we can use the Outings thread and do more spontaneous jaunts for those that can (as opposed to a large group).
If we can't pull off the July event, I'll try and pick a weekend this fall and we'll make another run at this.
I've been sending out e-mails, etc., to different campgrounds to see if anyone would accept reservations. I received the following from Seal Rocks RV.
Hello, We are happy to hear that you are planning to return to Seal Rocks RV Cove. In the regular tent area for arriving July 13 - departing the 16th we have tent sites #28, 29, 32, 32A, 33 and 34. We have two sites, #6 and #7, available for the same dates. The latter two are the larger, more private sites surrounded on three sides by the sand banks and hedges. The nightly rates for the regular tent area are 22.00 plus tax - total 24.20 (2 person occupancy). The rates for #6 and #7 are 25.00 plus tax - total 27.50 (2 person occupancy).
I stayed at this campground in 2009 when I took this photo, and found it to be very nice. You can literally walk across the road to Seal Rocks. There are other places to shoot in the area; I'm sure others can chime in with more experience than I. For those who would prefer a hotel, it's not far to the Waldport area.
I'd be happy to get one of the larger tent sites, and in case of rain can set up a picnic-type canopy. What do you think?? Anyone interested in heading for the coast instead of the mountains?? We can still shoot for doing a fall trip too.
I'm going to send an e-mail to all who have expressed interest in this thread. If you know of someone who is interested but hasn't posted in this thread (such as a guest), please forward this information to them.
the coast might be OK but often beaches during summer are socked in with thick marine layer especially in the AM and sometimes all day. Maybe I've just been unlucky. I'd probably still show up for a day or two.
for me a fall gathering would have to be after September. I'll be touring GNP with David Cobb
I just shot an e-mail back to them to reserve one of the larger sites for the nights of the 14th and 15th. Steve, if you want to contact them about the other site, you can do so from their website, or if you want to contact who I've been e-mailing with (Myna) you can write directly at info@sealrocksrv.com.
On the website, they have info for the cost of an additional vehicle and additional adults, so Don I'm assuming you can join in with Steve or me.
Hopefully some of the rest who had planned on camping at Takhlakh can make the switch as well. It's farther south than I had hoped, so my apologies to those up north who have to drive farther. Bruce, I agree with you there is a risk we may end up chasing abstracts or sitting around the fire telling stories of the images that got away, but that's not so bad. (Other than the long drive!)
Sounds good to me, John. I will join either you or Steve. We can decide that when I get there. What time of day are you expecting to arrive? I assume that the meal plan will be as before, where everyone is on their own. This kind of makes sense since I really don't know anyone that well and we all have different taste and appetites. I will also help with the cost of the camp site. Is there a camp site number to find you at?
I think the meals on our own is a great plan, for the reasons you noted. The larger tent sites are #6 and#7, so it will be at one of those. My current plan is to be there by mid-afternoon; I would like to have a chance to explore Seal Rocks and catch sunset on Friday. I may even head over to the coast on Thursday; but am not sure about that yet.
Anyone with experience at Thor's Well? In reading, it sounds like it is a good place to be at high tide? I've never been to it, and would at least like to scout it this trip.
I'm going to have to recall my RSVP. The local photo club has moved the monthly meeting from the 12th to the 15th to accomodate a salmon BBQ. I missed the last couple of meetings so I want to be there and Seal Rock is a long, long way from Bonney Lake. Maybe we can do another one this fall?
As far as I can tell, only John, Don and I are going to Seal Rocks this weekend. If that is the case we don't need 2 large camp sites. Before I cancel my reservation I thought I should check. Is anyone else planning to join us this weekend?
Uh-oh, where did everyone go? So far, I am planning to come. See you Friday. Hopefully, is there room for me to join in at either of the sites already reserved?? Will gladly help with cost. I'll plan to bring potluck picnic type food to share…
Discussion
59 repliesIt's a bit of a drive to get to this area, but there is a lot to photograph. (Some of the drive in, whether from the north or the south, is on dirt roads, but they are typically okay for a passenger car.) In addition to the lake, that time of year potentially has a lot of flowers in the surrounding meadows and forest. There are some very nice hikes heading up to the Pacific Crest Trail and Mt. Adams. If you are coming from the south, Lower Lewis River Falls is a great stop on the way in.
If you can't make it for both nights, you'd be welcome to join for one. You could even join for just the day, although it would be a long one due to the drive in and out. Let me know your thoughts. If there is interest, we can talk about reservations, car pooling, etc.
I'll post a few of my photos from the area below. If you have some too, please add them.
I and a friend, who is not yet a member, would likely be interested. Just curious, about when in July would you be thinking of? Also, when did you capture the Lupine images?
Thanks,
Phil Knouf
The lupine photos were taken July 24-26, 2009.
Hopefully others are able to make it, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed the flowers are booming.
(Rick, it will finally be great to meet you in person!)
Sounds great Wade!! I may be able to make it up the night of the 12th, but am unsure enough I didn't reserve. If I do make it, I may just camp in the area near the campground, and then move over the next day.
I had missed the $8 extra vehicle, so again if someone wants to share my site they are welcome.
It looks like we have 4 spaces reserved (29, 31, 32 and 34).
ML
Thanks,
Let me know on this post or email me at lightcatchersite@gmail.com
I was really looking forward to this and finally meet some of the NPN's.
I agree Phil, if the snow is really that tenacious, it is likely the flowers will be delayed and they are one of the main draws for that location.
Since we all had this weekend scheduled for our trip I think it would be easier to change locations than dates, but I'm open to either. I did not have an alternative location in mind, and am open to suggestions. Any thoughts out there for areas we might consider?
How about the coast? Maybe the Cape Kiwanda or Seal Rock State Wayside areas in Oregon, or farther north toward the Olympics (Kalaloch)? The gorge might still be pretty green, and offers a lot of options. I have no idea how easy reservations might be at these locations, so give me some feedback on where might be interesting and I'll check on that.
I'll try and work on locations this afternoon. Please do post any suggestions (thanks for the idea Vlad!!) you may have. If we can come up with something, we'll still try to pull it off. If not, we can use the Outings thread and do more spontaneous jaunts for those that can (as opposed to a large group).
If we can't pull off the July event, I'll try and pick a weekend this fall and we'll make another run at this.
Hello, We are happy to hear that you are planning to return to Seal Rocks RV Cove. In the regular tent area for arriving July 13 - departing the 16th we have tent sites #28, 29, 32, 32A, 33 and 34. We have two sites, #6 and #7, available for the same dates. The latter two are the larger, more private sites surrounded on three sides by the sand banks and hedges. The nightly rates for the regular tent area are 22.00 plus tax - total 24.20 (2 person occupancy). The rates for #6 and #7 are 25.00 plus tax - total 27.50 (2 person occupancy).
I stayed at this campground in 2009 when I took this photo, and found it to be very nice. You can literally walk across the road to Seal Rocks. There are other places to shoot in the area; I'm sure others can chime in with more experience than I. For those who would prefer a hotel, it's not far to the Waldport area.
I'd be happy to get one of the larger tent sites, and in case of rain can set up a picnic-type canopy. What do you think?? Anyone interested in heading for the coast instead of the mountains?? We can still shoot for doing a fall trip too.
I'm going to send an e-mail to all who have expressed interest in this thread. If you know of someone who is interested but hasn't posted in this thread (such as a guest), please forward this information to them.
for me a fall gathering would have to be after September. I'll be touring GNP with David Cobb
There's lots of possibilities for photo shots around that area.
I just shot an e-mail back to them to reserve one of the larger sites for the nights of the 14th and 15th. Steve, if you want to contact them about the other site, you can do so from their website, or if you want to contact who I've been e-mailing with (Myna) you can write directly at info@sealrocksrv.com.
On the website, they have info for the cost of an additional vehicle and additional adults, so Don I'm assuming you can join in with Steve or me.
Hopefully some of the rest who had planned on camping at Takhlakh can make the switch as well. It's farther south than I had hoped, so my apologies to those up north who have to drive farther. Bruce, I agree with you there is a risk we may end up chasing abstracts or sitting around the fire telling stories of the images that got away, but that's not so bad. (Other than the long drive!)
It is a long drive but I'm looking forward to it.
I think the meals on our own is a great plan, for the reasons you noted. The larger tent sites are #6 and#7, so it will be at one of those. My current plan is to be there by mid-afternoon; I would like to have a chance to explore Seal Rocks and catch sunset on Friday. I may even head over to the coast on Thursday; but am not sure about that yet.
Anyone with experience at Thor's Well? In reading, it sounds like it is a good place to be at high tide? I've never been to it, and would at least like to scout it this trip.
We'll catch you next time Bruce!