Here are more photos from the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen. ; I meet up with fellow TMIPer Dave Kilment (ExploringWDW) and his GF Gillian for a hike DOWN the trail. ; We first took a shuttle up to the top of the trail. ; Well worth the $3 per person. ; Only thing is, we had to remember to keep looking over our shoulders as we were walking into the sunlight. Just fantastic what water has sculpted over the centuries. The rock formations reminded me of western ones but these are made from very different kinds of rocks. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/3.5, ISO 800, EV -0.3, 28mm FL Even as dry as the month of July was for us, there was still water dripping from overhangs as small streams would fall into the gorge. ; The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many bridges, stairs (even a circular staircase) and walls here back in the 1930s. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/30s, f/16, ISO 6400, EV -0.3, 50mm FL Many lovely cascading waterfalls where a polarizing filter came in very handy to cut down on water reflections. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 4000, EV -0.3, 180mm FL, polarizing filter The Central Cascade was a popular place for people to ignore the signs saying to stay on the trail. ; Here a group were doing portraits besides the waterfall. ; I was tempted but did not have the time. ; Nikon D700/28-300VR, 3s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 116mm FL, tripod, 3-stop ND and Polarizing filters The real back-side of water. ; Here you can see all the people who were going UP the trail who kept asking us how much farther it was to top. ; Silly, people. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/3.8, ISO 1400, EV 0, 35mm FL, polarizing filter BTW, note the shutter speed which is a good one to show falling water and rain as you get nice long streaks. The Cavern Cascade drop. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/3.8, ISO 4000, EV 0, 35mm FL, polarizing filter The top of the Cavern Cascade. Took this hand-held thanks to VR. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/5s, f/16, ISO 6400, EV 0, 90mm FL, polarizing filter
Very cool! I've driven on the track a few times with various car clubs, but I never took the time to visit the surrounding area. Looks like I made a big mistake. Erich
Thanks, guys. ; If you are ever come to upstate NY, I would highly recommend this area. ; It is full of gorges, waterfalls and stone work which reminds me of Middle Earth from Lord of the Rings.
No, that was Taughannock Falls State Park. ; Watkins Glen is 28 miles to the west of there. ; In fact, I'll be going to Taughannock Falls this weekend so look for more from there next week.
Middle Earth did you say? ; Now that might help get my wife up there! ; How far of a drive was it to you from AC? ; That might give me an idea how long a trip from here in central NJ.
John...set your destination to Ithaca, New York. ; All the photos of waterfalls and gorges I have posted are within an hour's drive of Ithaca. ; Home of the Big Red or Cornell University. Edit: Whoops...I take that back. ; Any photos from Letchworth State Park are much farther north near Rochester, NY. Example: This photo was taken at Treman State Park just south of Ithaca. ; Remind you of anyplace?
That could be many places in Middle Earth! ; Around the Mines of Moria or even the hidden pass near Minas Morgul!
John, should we be worried that you knew those names? ; Or that I recognized them? Nice set, Scott. ; When will you be hosting Waterfall-Mania? ;
BOTH! ; As for Waterfall-Mania, sounds like you have some planning to do Scott! --- - Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Easy technique to teach. ; Would be a good time demonstrate the use of polarizing and ND filters instead of under the pressure of a fireworks show.
It is easy to miss as most people when they enter are so keyed up to see the tree or too tired on the way out to notice. ; It is about half way up the trails in the Oasis area. There you'll find a cut over trail between the two main ones. That is where you will see the waterfall Dennis posted.
It's the one spot where you can cut thru from one side of the oasis to the other. ; I call it my relaxing spot because everyone bypasses it on the way in or out.
It would also be a much quieter location than the waterfall off the back of the tree of life as you get hit with the Bug's Life crowd during their exit from the theater.
