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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 jo...

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

If you are in Year One like me, the first semester was probably quite a surprise for you (I just heard a mixture of sighs and cheers). Many of you should be able to relate to the various challenges faced while working on projects and with new classmates. You may have been stressed out over assignment deadlines and upcoming tests. After evaluating my own experience in the past semester, I came up with the following guidelines for myself for the new semester. Who knows, they might just work for you too. Check them out! Don�t Dwell on the Past I hope that I was not the only one with conflicts in my groups. Being new to studying in a polytechnic, I am sure we all had faced disagreements during group discussions. All I will say is that even if the first semester did not go too well for you, and you did not score that perfect GPA, just move on and leave the unhappiness behind! Clinging onto the past only affects your perception of the future. Learn how to get over the bad experiences and try...

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 ...

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 t...

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 .

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 Nar...

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 lead...

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 S...