For Waterfalls Galore Hike up Marr Branch: A Photographic Tour

For one unbroken chain of grand cascades, cataracts, and falls, try a hike up Marr Branch in the New River Gorge. But first be forewarned, this is not an easy hike, but a challenging scramble up a bushwhacked trail. Nevertheless, it’s well worth the effort.
  
To get to the mouth of Marr Branch, park at the white water rafting “take in” point on the New River (GPS: Lat. 38.067346, Long. -81.082240) just downstream from the Fayette Station Bridge. Park at the far end of the lot by the rest rooms and scramble up a short slope to the railroad tracks that run along the south side of the New River. Hike downstream on the railroad track for about a mile. 

Marr Branch: Trinity Falls

Getting to the mouth of Marr Branch requires walking on the railroad tracks, which technically is trespassing. It’s also a bit dangerous, so keep alert, listen and look both ways. At its confluence with the New River, Marr Branch makes a nice run as a waterfall, dives into a culvert, and rushes to join the New River. 

Mouth of Marr Br.

Start climbing on the right hand side of the creek and you’ll pick up a faint, but recognizable bushwhacked trail. Be sure to take excursions to your left to the creek bed to view the cataracts and falls. The first view up Marr Branch I call the “Siren’s Call” because the size and number of the cataracts you can see beckons a waterfall lover higher. 

Siren's Call

Get back on the main trail to climb higher because the creek bed is choked with large, slippery, and impassable boulders. Eventually you come to a basin, with a waterfall dashing down about a 30 foot solid sandstone ledge. It’s a rocky reminder that you’re chasing waterfalls in the rugged New River Gorge. I call this waterfall “Basin Falls.” 

Basin Falls

To get a photograph of Basin Falls together with the overlying “Trinity Falls,” I had to invent a way to get into the right position. To quote from Randall Sanger’s and my waterfall photography book West Virginia Waterfalls: The New River Gorge (link): “To capture this image, I gingerly took a few steps down a slippery, sloping boulder while clinging to a limb of a fallen tree that acted like a “guard rail” so to speak. With my tripod straddling the limb and one leg of the tripod secured against my foot, I snapped three frames while panning down the scene. With some panorama software, I stitched together the three shots and much to my relief got this image, which is wonderful, because I’m never going to try that stunt again.”

Basin & Trinity Falls

Climbing higher takes you to a gorgeous three-fold drop of some 40 feet, which I call “Trinity Falls.” Fortunately it’s easy to photograph from a flat rock basin or from the side. It’s a picturesque New River Gorge waterfall that few ever experience up close. 

Trinity Falls

To access Marr Branch above Trinity Falls requires a lot of side slope and uphill climbing. I close with another quote from Randall Sanger’s and my book: “After the previous waterfall image, ‘Trinity,’ I thought I was done for the day, and so did this aging body. But my curiosity coaxed me to trudge on a little higher. While doing so, an upper waterfall peeked at me, and I was committed to more climbing. I’m glad I did. For after considerable huffing and puffing, I worked my way up to this rough-hewn stretch of Marr Branch. With my legs giving out and rain clouds approaching, I reluctantly turned around at this point and left photographing the upper stretch of this cascade, which is clearly fertile ground for more fine waterfall shots, for another day or another photographer (perhaps you).”   

Fertile Ground

To view a post about the waterfalls of Upper Marr Branch click here.

Photoessay: A Hike Around Boley Lake, Babcock State Park

The Lake View Trail makes a mile long circuit around Boley Lake in Babcock State Park. I hiked this trail last week in search of autumn colors. Fall foliage color was limited on the south side of the lake because the trail wound and tunneled through a lot of rhododendron. But the north side was pretty. Below are a few examples of color I found along the trail. Hope you enjoy the hike!

Boley Lake, Oct. 2012

I might add that the lake is often ignored by photographers who come to Babcock seeking autumn colors. On any given day, the grist mill is cramped with photographers and visitors. It’s very difficult to get off a shot without someone in the frame. On the day I visited the park, this was true. But when I drove up to Boley Lake, the parking lot was empty! As I mentioned in a prior post, there is so much more to Babcock than the mill. Post of October 11, 2016. 

Boathouse

Lake View Trail

Lake View Trail

Lake View Trail

Lake View Trail

Seven Ways to Capture Brilliant Color in Fall Photography

How do you get good autumn photographs even if the fall foliage lacks brilliance? I was asking this question all day at one of my (and everyone else’s) favorite places to shoot fall photographs—Babcock State Park, Fayette County, WV. Due to an extremely hot and dry summer, the leaf color change has been muted somewhat and delayed by about a week. Even so, here are seven ways to photograph fall scenes to bring out the very best in autumn color. 

Bright Foreground

Bright Foreground 

One way to spruce up the color is to include bright foreground foliage. An overhanging branch or a small shrub work well in this instance. As a bonus, these foreground elements add depth to the work and can act as natural frames. 

Back-lighting

Use Back Light

Nothing lights up leaves like back-lighting, which is simply having the prime light source behind or in back of the subject. In outdoor photography, the sun is the primary light source, so to get autumn leaves to shine for you simply align the fall foliage between you and the sun. This technique brings out rich color even in leaves that are dull or past prime.

Underexpose

Underexpose the Image

Overexposures wash out color. So it stands to reason that to boost color saturation, underexposure is called for. Depending upon the intensity of the light, I will adjust the EV (Exposure Value) down by 1/3 to 1 to get the richest color. Decreasing the EV also makes sunlit leaves stand out by darkening the areas surrounding them.

Adjust White Balance

Adjust White Balance

White balance settings on your camera compensate for the kind of light illuminating the scene you are shooting. As evidenced by the color of the sky, a sunny day sheds a lot of blue light. If your photographs have a blue cast to them or if colors look duller than you remember them, experiment with white balance. To get deeper reds and yellows, I generally set my white balance to shade or cloudy if I’m not shooting in raw format. 

Take Close-ups

Take Close-ups/Isolations

Even if leaf color is subdued, there are always bright trees among the dull ones. Isolating the leaves of a colorful tree with a close-up will often produce a compelling fall photograph. Tight close-ups can make an abstract image out of the leaves adding to the artistry of fall photography. 

Look for Reflections

Look for Reflections

Reflections darken and enrich colors. So I am always looking for ways to catch the color of autumn leaves bouncing off the surface of lakes and streams. It’s fun to study a stream, locate the colorful leaves, and work out the angles to catch the colors in a reflection. And the results can be very satisfying. Just like isolating leaves, close-ups of reflections can produce stunning abstract images. 

Find Fallen Leaves

Find Fallen Leaves

Even if the leaves on the trees lack brilliance, you can always add dashes of color and interest to a fall image by photographing fallen leaves.  Fallen leaves often gather in clusters that form a tapestry of color. Photographing leaves on wet rocks add color and foreground interest. In addition, fallen leaves also tell a story of the changing of the season.

All of the examples in this post were taken on the same day at Babcock. Despite less than peak conditions, I enjoyed roaming the park and applying the seven tips I’ve included here. Autumn is a wonderful time to be a photographer. I hope these tips help you savor it.  

Fall Colors in Southern West Virginia

In chasing fall colors in West Virginia, you generally move from high elevation to low elevation and from north to south. By mid-October the leaves are beginning to change in southern West Virginia. Here are some suggested locales to catch the fall colors.

Babcock State Park 

Babcock State Park in Fayette County is well known for gorgeous autumn displays, but timing is crucial. Usually I find mid-October, around the 15th to the 18th, the most resplendent time. But this year the color change has been delayed a week to 10 days. I’m guessing that peak at Babcock might be this coming weekend Oct 21-23rd. 

Babcock State Park

Since photographers flock to the Glade Creek Grist Mill, finding a view unobstructed by other photographers is a challenge. Not seeing many photographers on the shoulder of the dam across Glade Creek, I have found that spot a good place to take advantage of reflections off the pond below the lodge. 

Babcock State Park

For ideas on other places at Babcock to enjoy and photograph fall colors, please see my blog post of October 11, 2016. 

Grandview National Park 

Because Grandview National Park is a little lower in elevation than Babcock, I expect the color change will follow that at Babcock. A great place to view fall colors is at the main overlook. From the main overlook, the colors in the New River Gorge from top to bottom illustrate how profoundly elevation influences color change. Green can dominate the bottom of the gorge, while at the top, fall colors can already be fading. Being at the main overlook at the top of the gorge, I found the best angle I could to catch some color there. 

Grandview Park

Little Beaver State Park

After stopping at Grandview, it’s just a quick 7 mile trip down the road to Little Beaver State Park. Good autumn color generally abounds there. I like the Lake Front Trail that circles Little Beaver Lake. The trail presents many fine photo opportunities of reflections off the lake. 

Little Beaver State Park

Pipestem State Park

Although I haven’t been to Pipestem in the fall for many years, I suspect it would also be a fine place to pick up autumn colors. The aerial tram can take you to the bottom of the Bluestone gorge if the colors are good at lower elevations. If it’s still green at the bottom, the top of the gorge should be good since the change in elevation on the tram is 1100 feet! Liking reflections, I would also try the Lake Shore Trail around Long Branch Lake. 

Plum Orchard Lake

Plum Orchard Lake

Plum Orchard Lake is a 202-acre impoundment in the almost 3000-acre Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area located 5 miles north of Pax in Fayette County. Though known primarily for its fishing, this is a good fall color locale, too. There’s access by road along the north side of the lake and part of the south side. There are some docks that extend into the lake that make good photographic compositions.

Plum Orchard Lake

Webcams: Babcock Webcam  Pipestem Webcam

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN THE COMMENTS.

Video: Dolly Sods in the Fall

I've put together a Video compilation of images taken at Dolly Sods in the Fall from 2007 to 2016. The images are not just from Bear Rocks, but south along the eastern of rim of the Sods.

Here's a YouTube link to the Video Dolly Sods in the Fall.

Autumn Colors at Babcock: Places beyond the Mill

Although the grist mill at Babcock is a photo favorite, there are plenty of places beyond the mill that look great in autumn colors.

Swinging Bridge at Babcock

The Swinging Bridge

The swinging bridge over Glade Creek is a great place to capture fall colors at Babcock. While other photographers are vying for position at the mill, walk down the road by the mill to Cabin #7. Then take the stairs down to the cabin and walk around to the back of the cabin. You’ll find a path leading down to the swinging bridge. Glade Creek really shows off at this point with plenty of cascades and color. With the bridge as a backdrop, you’ll find plenty of compelling compositions. Isolations and reflections off the creek will keep you busy, too. 

Swinging Bridge at Babcock

Glade Creek Reflections

Mann’s Creek

Glade isn’t the only creek at Babcock. Mann’s Creek flows through the park, too, and is photogenic as well. I’ve found some good color and compositions at the bridge crossing the creek near the Narrow Gauge Trailhead. In addition, a little beyond the campground trailhead, the Mann’s Creek Gorge Trail parallels the banks of the creek offering some fine opportunities for fall shots. 

Manns Creek

Manns Creek

Boley Lake

Often overlooked by shutterbugs at Babcock, Boley Lake offers some fine prospects for fall photography. Just take the road up the hill behind the mill for about a half a mile. The lake is on the left. The Lake View Trail is a level, easy, mile long loop around the lake. If the colors are good at the grist mill, I’ve found them to be good at the lake, too. Reflections off the lake surface make for nice fall photographs. This is a fine spot to just unwind and stroll through autumn’s splendor. 

Boley Lake

Boley Lake

Park Roads

Every autumn I drive the road out to the Manns Creek Picnic Area because it is absolutely golden. There are some reds and oranges, too, but for the most part the forest nearly glows with golden tones. Actually, all the roads in Babcock shine with fall foliage. 

Road to the Cabins

If you’re visiting Babcock for autumn colors by all means visit the mill. But remember that there’s also plenty of picturesque places besides the mill. Indeed, Babcock is a jewel in autumn that shines wherever you choose to go. 

Swinging Bridge at Babcock

Here’s a link to a Map of Babcock and a link to a Webcam so you can keep tabs on the leaf color. 

Ramsey Branch Falls: a Hidden Gem

Ramsey Branch Road is rough and rocky, but worth the ride. It drops you off at a secluded and lovely place--Ramsey Branch Falls. Nestled in a canyon just off the Gauley River, the falls are truly a gem hidden in the hills of the New River Region.
 

Ramsey Branch Falls

To get to Ramsey Branch Falls take U.S. 60 five miles west of its intersection with U.S. 19 to Saturday Road (GPS: Lat. 38.128491, Long. -81.074095). Turn right (north) on Saturday Road and wind through the countryside of pastures and woods. After 6.9 miles turn left at the junction with Ramsey Branch Road and continue 1.6 miles to the Gauley River. The last half a mile is steep, rough, rocky, and requires a truck for 4WD vehicle with a high center. 

Ramsey Branch Falls

Turn right at the river and after a very short distance look for a road to the right which drops down to the streambed of Ramsey Branch. Take this road for just a few yards and stop at a hairpin turn at creek level. A short, bushwhacked trail leads upstream to the falls (GPS: Lat. 38.2010, Long. -81.0126). At the falls, Ramsey Branch rolls over a sandstone ledge forming a broad veil of white water. Having photographed more than 70 waterfalls in the New River Gorge region, I believe that the falls at Ramsey Branch are one of the most picturesque. They are a “must see” for adventure seekers along the Gauley River. 

Ramsey Branch Falls

While on the Gauley, you might as well explore the banks of the river, too. There’s an easy way to the riverside through the tunnel under the road that runs along the Gauley River. At Ramsey Branch the Gauley widens and forms at calm reflecting pool. It’s a great place to sit and soak in some scenery before you turn around and head home.

Gauley River

Fall Colors Popping on Camp 70 Road: Davis, WV

Just a short note to report that as of 10-6-2016 fall foliage colors were really starting to pop on Camp 70 Road out of Davis. It’s definitely a good road to drive to soak in some fall scenery. 

 At Bridge at end of Camp 70 Rd

Camp 70 road winds for five miles alongside the Blackwater River from the grocery store in Davis until it stops at the northern end of Canaan Valley. There are several trailheads for the Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area (LCWMA) along the road, and at the end of the road trails lead into the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. In addition numerous riverside campsites are strung along the road. Many provide access to the Blackwater River. 

Camp 70 Road

Two new bridges have been built across the Blackwater River for access to the Splash Dam South Trail which runs along the south bank of the river. The bridge near the end of Camp 70 road also connects with these trails in the CVNWR: #15 Canaan Mountain Trail, #16 Hellbender’s Tail Trail, #17 Shady Hollow Trail, and #18 Blackwater River Fishing Access Trail. 

Trailhead for #16

For hikers, mountain bikers, sight seers, and fishermen, Camp 70 road is worth knowing. It’s a vital access road to lands of the LCWMA and CVNRW and the Blackwater River. 

Camp 70 Road

Colors Galore at Dolly Sods

Fall foliage colors are coming on slowly this year, and in some places without their usual brilliance. But at Dolly Sods colors abound as Phyllis and I discovered last Wednesday (10-5-2016) on a foggy, cloudy day in the high country. 

Dolly Sods

Ferns are Great this Year

Although the trees leaves are struggling for color, ferns are having a banner year. Without killing frosts, the ferns have been able to grow old gracefully gradually adopting a breathtaking spectrum of earth tones. Bright yellow, gold, light green, beige, and brown all adorn patches of ferns like a painter’s palette. 

Dolly Sods

In Dolly Sods across the road from the South Overlook on Forest Road 75, we found a stand of ferns literally glowing despite the slate gray sky. The golden ferns contrasted beautifully with the deep green spruce trees. The golden ferns also contrasted nicely with the red leaves of the blueberry plants. 

Dolly Sods

Goldenrod Still Going Strong

We also found goldenrod lighting up some patches here and there. The goldenrod accented autumn scenes with bright yellow stalks. Although the fall colors at Spruce Knob Lake were muted, there was a fine patch of goldenrod.
Even an occasional Spruce tree branch varied in color from dark green to light green to greenish yellow to light brown. 

Dolly Sods

Though tree foliage colors were just beginning to show, there was plenty of awe inspiring colors to be found at that beautiful place we call Dolly Sods.

Dolly Sods

And yes, it looks like tree color is arriving, too.

Dolly Sods