Time for a new gathering

[glbeas]

It's time to start planning for an outing for the SE members. The idea has been put forth to visit Raven Cliff Falls sometime soon, like on a Sunday in about 30 days to allow everyone to agree on a date and schedule it in to thier days off. Hopefully the weather will be cooperative that far in advance. Chime in and tell me what you can do so we can set this up. I'd like to get a few people going on this so we can get to know each other and have a good time. There may even be some camping involved. Heres a link describing the area, it's near Helen in North Ga.
http://www.yahoolavista.com/waterfalls/falls/ravencliftfalls.html

 

[cdholden]

I'd be interested, but won't/can't commit due to some things going on at work.
Chris

 

[glbeas]

Actually this kind of commitment you don't make to the group but to yourself. I'd love to see every apugger in the area show up but reality rules this world and anyone finding time even at the last minute is welcome to show up. I'll have contact info and meeting place and times posted when we solidify the plans. This one sounds like a really good trip for the outdoor enthusiast.

 

[reellis67]

Count me in for now - I'll do what I can to make the trip from Central Florida. I've got the ability to take time off basicaly whenever I want (with a few exceptions) so unless what others come up with hits an exception, I'll be there.

- Randy

 

[glbeas]

Let me know if you're tight for a place to stay, we have extra rooms.

 

[B&Wenthusiast]

SE gathering?

Sounds like a great place to camp/photograph. Probably need to be sometime in Sept or Oct for us. Not available all weekends. Let us know!

 

[Blake Sims]

Gathering

Count me in, of course if schedule allows. I'd love to be able to shadow some people using 8x10 or other large format. If anyone had some extra gear, I'd love to possibly borrow/rent some equipment for the trip! I'm just itching to get into the large format world after several years in 35mm.

Fall color is gorgeous up in the N. Georgia mountains if you can time it right, which is just a crapshoot. Be aware that Helen has a large Oktoberfest celebration most of that month. It can be dicey getting rooms and if you do, you'll pay a little more for them. Not a problem if camping.

 

[Ellenmarie]

Depends on the date.. but love the area and would try to make it as well.

 

[reellis67]

I'll have either 4x5 or 8x10, depending on if I can find something that will handle the 8x10 that is affordable. I've got a good solution for 4x5 so I will at least have that and anyone who wants to is welcome to try it out.

- Randy

 

[JeffD]

Gary, this should be fun. I've been up to this area a lot. I believe there are 4 waterfalls, total, ending with Raven Cliff, which is the first picture in the link you posted. To get to the end of the trail, it is approximately 2.5 miles- the hike is fairly easy, but those carrying their 20x24 field camera might want to bring a long a couple of sherpas to help out!

Those not wishing to walk the full trail will still encounter some of the other scenic falls earlier in the walk. The trail has become pretty popular over the last ten years or so, but probably not so much so as to cause any inconvenience for photographers.

A couple of other "tourist" falls are close by, for anyone maybe wanting to make a two day outing- Dukes Creek Falls is within a mile or so of the trail head. It has a partially developed path to a platform looking down on the falls,

http://georgiatrails.com/trails/dukescr.html

or, you can hike down a trail and get to a nice board walk at the base of the falls.

http://www.greatgeorgiaproperties.com/images/Dukes-creekfalls-upper-deck.jpg

Of course, Anna Ruby Falls is close by. This is a paved 1/2 mile walk, up to a beautiful twin waterfall. Very touristy, but pretty view:

Dead Link Removed

 

[JeffD]

A couple of maps from Topo Zone of the area:

 

[glbeas]

Count me in, of course if schedule allows. I'd love to be able to shadow some people using 8x10 or other large format. If anyone had some extra gear, I'd love to possibly borrow/rent some equipment for the trip! I'm just itching to get into the large format world after several years in 35mm.

Fall color is gorgeous up in the N. Georgia mountains if you can time it right, which is just a crapshoot. Be aware that Helen has a large Oktoberfest celebration most of that month. It can be dicey getting rooms and if you do, you'll pay a little more for them. Not a problem if camping.

I have two kits, one 8x10 and one 4x5. If you are capable of backpacking a 40lb pack you are welcome to shadow me. I was only planning on bringing my 4x5 Anba.

 

[glbeas]

Sounds like a great place to camp/photograph. Probably need to be sometime in Sept or Oct for us. Not available all weekends. Let us know!

Looks like early September is the soonest I'll be able to make it myself. Which weekends would you prefer to make it.

 

[Blake Sims]

Gary,

Thanks for the offer! I think 40 lbs. sounds like a reasonable weight for an 8x10 outfit. It would certainly help me determine if my romantic idea of my future in the format is out of touch with reality or not! I'd love to shadow you and see how its done.

As far as the schedule, I am starting graduate school in a few weeks and don't have a handle on specific days or weekends yet. As far as I know early September sounds great.

Thanks again,
Blake

 

[reellis67]

I'm in the same boat as Blake as far as grad school, but September sounds good to me as well right now.

- Randy

 

[ScottH]

Count me in as well Gary. Other than Sept 9-10 I'll be there.

 

[glbeas]

Okay, how about we plan on Sunday the 17th for the shoot. Jeff has recommended we meet at the parking area, which is pretty central to a lot of us. I recommend folks close to each other or enroute to another further out contact each other for carpooling to cut expenses. I can host one or two folks at the house if you are travelling in from out of state so email me if you need the help.
Meeting time needs to be fairly early but travel considerations dictate no earlier that 10 am for a lot uf us. Opinions?

 

[JeffD]

Sunday the 17th works for me!

 

[glbeas]

Directions to the parking area
http://georgiatrails.com/maps/raven.html

 

[glbeas]

We just got back from a drive in the mountains and checked out the trailhead. Plenty of parking and there is plenty of primitive campsites on past the parking area for those so inclined. We used our DeLorme laptop GPS to lead us out there and it only took us 1 1/2 hours to get there from our doorstep. The route took us to the outskirts of Cleveland from the west via the outskirts of Dahlonega and straight on to the scenic parkway. The parking area for Dukes Creek Falls is within a stones throw, Dodd Creek with Raven Cliff Falls being a branch of Duke Creek. On the way back we roamed west and wound up at Turners Corner Cafe where I had a very good barbeque sandwich, best I'd had in a while. The meat was stewed in the sauce and the flavor was sweet and spicy! We passed Unicoi, the two DeSoto Falls, Helton Falls and the Waters Creek area with it's three or four falls on the way home, so if you still want to shoot as you retreat theres no lack of quarry!

 

[ScottH]

Sounds like you had a good day Gary. Didja expose any film? It seemed to be a nice slight overcast day for shooting.

 

[glbeas]

No I didn't. I'm still recovering from surgery on my foot so getting out of the car and doing any shooting is more work than I needed. We just wanted to get out of the house for a while and doing a recon of the trailhead was a good excuse.

 

[bnjlosh]

how far is this from Greenville, SC???

 

[glbeas]

how far is this from Greenville, SC???

Estimated about 270 miles as the crow flies. Go to Mapquest and check out a route to Cleveland Ga. That'll be close enough to give you an idea of travel time.

 

[bnjlosh]

thanks...I know about Raven Cliff Falls here in Greenville county, didn't realize there was one in Georgia...always learning something new...