CNPA trip to Brevard Oct 25-26

[mlandis]

This could be a "colorful" trip if the leaves are right. I have several ideas about what we could do. Additional ideas are welcome but we need to keep focused because there is so much in the Brevard area. The drive time to the Horsepasture River trailhead is about 3 hours so I'd suggest a depart time of 7 AM.

Day 1 - Drive to the Horsepasture River and hike to Turtleback and Rainbow falls.These two falls are located between Brevard and Cashiers. The hike is 1 mile and I'd rate it as a moderately difficult hike (one steep section with the rest mostly level). There is a large maple tree beside Rainbow falls so if the leaves are right, it would be a beautiful shot. And yes, if the sun is in the correct angle, you can see a rainbow in the mist at the bottom of the falls. There is generally a pretty good flow in the river so the falls are generally great to shoot.

If time allows we could drive back toward Brevard but cut off on Hwy 215 toward Waynesville. The drive from the parkway down toward Waynesville is really pretty with plenty of places to pull off and take photos. It would be late afternoon so the sun should be at the right angle. Also, if you'd like to do some sunset shots, there is a campground near Graveyard fields where you can get some pretty decent sunset shots.

Day 2 - Drive to the trail head for Cove Creek Falls. The trail length is 1.25 miles and I'd rate it as moderate (in general a steady uphill walk). The trail parallels Cove Creek and is really a pretty walk with plenty of opportunities for photos.

Nearby (short drive from Cove Creek Trail Head) is a waterfall on Cedar Rock Creek. This is one of the prettiest small water falls I know of. Its a quiet sort of "grotto" and is just so peaceful.

The only problem with this trip is timing. The middle of October is peak of leaf color so the motels will fill up fast and some may already be full. So if you'd like to go, you need to decide pretty quick. If the motels are full we could do a one day trip on two different Saturdays to do all this. But that's up to you folks to decide.

One additional item. For all the hikes there are no close by restaurants so for the first day, I'd suggest we all pack a sandwich lunch. If someone has a large cooler that can hold some lunch meat, etc., we could do sandwiches for lunch both days. I haven't eaten supper in Brevard in a long time so my info on evening meal restaurants is extremely limited. If anyone knows of any good restaruants in Brevard, please pass this info along. Also, if you know of a good inexpensive motel, that info is needed as well. Assistance with the motel reservations and restaruants would be much appreciated.

Please let me know what you think.

Respectfully submitted

Mike Landis

[tomdills]

Mike -

I'm planning to shoot in the Brevard area that weekend and have a reservation at the Hampton Inn there. I haven't made specific plans yet but it sounds like you've got some pretty good destinations in mind. I'll look forward to hearing more from you and others as things develop.

[jschornak]

Mike,

Boy ... you jumped on this quick! Thanks for volunteering to facilitate this outing. You have put many members to shame with your enthusiasm ... considering that you volunteered for this before you were even an official CNPA member. I MENTION THIS BECAUSE I'M HOPEFUL THAT SOMEONE WILL STEP FORWARD AND CO-FACILITATE THIS OUTING WITH YOU (AND REDUCE THE BURDEN). Thank you again.

I plan on attending and I think I'll be camping, boondocking, or wallydocking with the African Queen.

It sounds like you have a great plan. My guess is the "restauranteers" will run (to places you never imagined) with the Brevard eateries. Hopefully one of them will step forward and officially assist you with that planning.

Please let me know if you need me to do anything.

Thanks!
John

[debra.dandro]

Hello! Here is where most everyone stayed last year when we went to Brevard:

Hampton Inn Brevard
800 Forest Gate Center
Brevard, NC 28712
888-872-8356

Also, we ate at a wonderful Chinese restaurant just down the street from the Hotel, which I believe was called Twin Dragons (Shawn, double-check me). They have a huge buffet for lunch and dinner.

In addition, we ate lunch in Cashiers at the Cornucopia Restaurant (Donna, double-check me), which was also very tasty.

Hope this helps. :)DJGD

[dawnita]

I plan on going on this trip also. John, I also would like to camp. Any ideas on good campgrounds that take reservations? I thought about trying Davidson River. Any thoughts?

Dawnita

[tomdills]

Debra -

You are correct on the restaurant - it is Twin Dragons Grand Buffet. They have good food and are open until at least 9:00. There are a number of other good restaurants in town as well - something for everyone!

[debrown]

Count me in as a definite maybe!! I will be at the Vinny workshop in Cherokee the weekend before and may decide that is a bit much!!

[sjennings]

Great job putting this together, Mike!

Debra - you are correct on both restaurants.

Dawnita - I don't think Davidson River takes reservations. It's on a first come basis. Cascade Lake Campground is a nice little campground, just east of Brevard, and they take reservations. Their web site is: http://www.cascadelakerecreationarea.com/

[jschornak]

I made reservations today for the Davidson River Campground. Last year it was "first come first served", but this year their sites are available on Reserve America (see website http://www.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?subTabIndex=0&&contractCode=nrso&parkCode=davi). I like this location because it is right on Highway 276 within the Pisgah National Forest, so you can be close to the “photographic action”.

I also called the Davidson River campground to check about early and late exit or entrance through the gate. I was told there is a security guard on duty from 11:00pm to 7:00am and he would be able to let us through the gate.

Thanks!
John

[mlandis]

Once everyone makes reservations, we need to decide where we will meet on the first morning. Is anyone up to car pooling? If someone could coordinate that that would be great. If there is any carpooling, we need to decide where to meet.

My vehicle is a Honda Civic so I could probably take one or at most two with me.

Mike Landis

[dawnita]

I also got reservations at Davidson River Campground. Campsite 47.

Dawnita

[mlandis]

JUst noticed that I made a mistake on the date of the trip to Brevard, the dates are October 18-19 and not Oct 25-26. Please note that when you make plans.

Sorry for the error.

Mike Landis

[jenniferbrown]

HELP.... I'm confused.

Per the calendar, the Art Wolfe session is Oct 18, 19 and the trip to the Brevard Area is Oct 25, 26. Did a change happen that I missed? Thanks!! :)

[debra.dandro]

Yes, the Brevard Area Waterfalls outing date was changed back in May due to the Art Wolfe Workshop being scheduled in Charlotte and is posted on our calendar, which is under the top Forum posting as a sticky for the Charlotte Region. To recap:


Art Wolfe Workshop - October 17-19
Brevard Area Outing - October 25-26


Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks! :)DJGD

[cesar]

I think that this is a BIG maybe for me!! It sounds that it could be a lot of fun.

[mlandis]

I made a mistake on the dates of this trip. The dates of this trip are October 18 and 19. Please make a note of that when you make your reservations.

Sorry for the error.

Mike Landis

[mlandis]

Well, I guess I made another error. WHen I originally posted the info for this trip, I somehow got the OCt 25-26 dates but when I looked on the upcoming events calendar, I saw Oct 18-19 and that is why I sent out the responses saying the trip was Oct 18 and 19.

SO, this is my bad again. I'm glad you guys corrected me on this before I made reservations.

If we go as late as Oct 25 and 26, I'm afraid we may be there past peak especially on the parkway if it gets cold fairly quickly this year. But the waterfalls I suggest we go to will still be there.

Mike Landis

[jpbrandt]

Hi-
Just browsing around and noticed this thread. I don't know if you are aware, but Gorges State park parking area is currently closed for construction of the visitor center, so if you go, you may need to figure out parking arrangements. I am not sure when it is scheduled to reopen. Hope this helps.

Jim Brandt
Asheville Region

[jschornak]

All,

You really need to start indicating your interest and intentions for this outing NOW!



Mike,

You should probably start revising/editing your initial post to reflect the attendee list and any changes to be made to the itinerary.

Thanks!
John

[jschornak]

Mike,

The current schedule shows us at Turtleback Falls and Rainbow Falls on the Horsepasture River on the first day. I've never been to this location, but it's my understanding that people normally park at/near Gorges State Park for these falls. But that parking access is currently closed for construction. Do you have other plans for parking (I understand from other web sources that parking has been a real issue in this general area with the construction, so ticketing/towing has been strictly enforced)?

Thanks!
John

[jpbrandt]

My only suggestion would be to contact Gorges State park to see if they will allow you parking in the area. Other than that, you could have one person shuttle people from the temporary park offices at junction of hwy 64 and 281. That is about 2 miles from Gorges state Park.

Jim Brandt

[abhisheksingh]

Hey Everyone,

I and my wife just joined CNPA and we are hoping that we can make this trip as well. We're both new to the area as well (recently relocated from california). Locationwise, which motel would be best?

Look forward to meeting everyone at CNPA soon!

-Abhishek

[jschornak]

Abhishek,

We'd love to have you join us. Have you been assigned to a CNPA Region, yet? That would help me get contact information on you.

Some people are camping and some are staying at hotels in Brevard. Anything fairly close to the intersection of Highways 280, 276, and 64 would be central to where we plan to shoot. There is a Hampton Inn a short distance from that intersection. There are several others, but I don't remember the names. I've attached a DeLorme Topo USA 6.0 screenshot map of the general area (that might help).

Thanks!
John

[abhisheksingh]

Hi John,

Thank you for all the information - this was very helpful. Since I live in Charlotte, I assume that I'm in the Charlotte region. However, I'm not really sure how to confirm that.

Best,
-Abhishek

[k.liscinsky]

abhishek singh,

When you login, you can go to members landing. In Members Landing there is a selection for CNPA Member Directory. Then pick Charlotte from the region dropdown. This will show all members in the Charlotte region.

I noticed you are there.

[mlandis]

Thanks for the info about the Gorges State Park parking area being closed. According to the web site for this park, the work is "supposed" to be completed by October. I'll see if I can send them an e-mail or give them a call and get better info. If the parking lot is to be closed at the end of October, I'll figure out an alternate plan before then and post the alternate plan on the forum.

I was going to go to Brevard last week but with the gas shortage, I decided not to go. I can't go this week as I have jury duty (oh what fun!!!). If the gas shortage lets up, I am planning on going next week to check things out but it will be Wednesday or Thursday before I can get the time to go.

I'll post any info I obtain on the forum.

I'm not sure who has decided to go. Hopefully, those who want to go have signed up on the sign-up sheet.

Mike Landis

[mlandis]

JUst got off the phone with the folks at Gorges State Park. According to them, the consturction will not be completed until late November so it looks like we won't be able to go to the Horsepasture River.

There are two alternative places we can visit. One is Dupont State Park which has several great waterfalls and there are plenty of trees around. I've been there several times but not in the fall. Most of the hiking around the park is fairly easy. The three main waterfalls are all within 1 mile of each other.

The other alternative is a fairly easy but long hike to Twin Falls. This is a pretty hike. I've hiked it 2 or 3 times but only in the spring and summer. The spring hike is pretty but I've not hiked this trail in the fall. The trail is easy but is long. It's a 4 mile round trip so it would take up a large portion of a day with all the picture taking going on.

In my opinion, Dupont State park is the best alternative to the Horsepasture River.

I'm still going to go to Brevard as soon as I can to check on timing, parking lots, etc.

Mike Landis

[tomdills]

I think that Kathy and I are among a number of members who will be in the Brevard area on Friday 10/24 to get a head start on the weekend. Please be sure to post the schedule here when plans are developed so we know where to meet up with the leader on Saturday 10/25! We are looking forward to getting the details of this outing.

[debrown]

The Hampton Inn in Brevard that I booked has the following address:
275 Forest Gate Dr.
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
28768

Are there 2 of them in Brevard?

[debrown]

Okay, Gang:

I'm in and booked at the Hampton Inn. Looking forward to this one!!

[mlandis]

I apologize for not making the last meeting but I had to do some things for my business. However, I've checked things out. I think Dupont State Park is a very adequate substitue for the Horsepasture river hike.

I drove up the parkway on Monday 10-6 and discovered that Graveyard Fields was at peak and it was really something. Given what I saw there, I strongly suspect that the Parkway will be well past peak on the weekend we will be up there. The hikes I have planned are at the same elevation as the city of Brevard so hopefully there will be some leaf color left at these lower elevations.

I won't be able to get there until between 9:30 and 10 AM on Saturday, 10-25. I'm sure some of you will want to do some sunset pictures and sunsets are best viewed from the Parkway. So I would suggest that we go to Cove Creek falls first. This is about a 1 mile hike and is fairly easy. This waterfall is among foliage so the time of day we are there won't make much difference. Besides its a pretty hike. If time allows we can go to another waterfall nearby but if not, we can drive directly to the parkway. I'm not sure of the time of sunset but it is about a 30-45 minute drive to the area where I was planning on going for sunset pictures. If sunset is late enough, we could drive back to Brevard from Cove Creek (15-20 minute drive)and eat a quick supper before going back to the Parkway for sunset pictures.

In checking out Dupont state park, I noted that all the waterfalls face north. That means that we either need to be there early, say 8 AM or so, or in the afternoon at about 3 PM so we aren't facing the sun while trying to take pictures. Mid-day is probably not a good time to take pictures of the waterfalls at Dupont.

There is a shopping center at the intersection of Hwy 280 and Hwy 64 in Brevard. I think the Hampton Inn is adjacent to this shopping center. Therefore, I propose that we meet at the end of the shopping center near the above intersection between 9:30 and 10 AM on Saturday. We could then discuss my proposed plans and decide how we want to proceed.

Oh yes, if you have any questions, please feel free to call me on my cell phone at 704-488-5772.

Mike Landis

[jschornak]

Mike,

Three more people signed up for the Brevard Outing:

Nancy Gavitt
Russ Gavitt
Cardell "Woody" Atwood

I have their contact information and can email that to you on Monday.

Thanks!
John

[tomdills]

Mike -

A couple of questions regarding this weekend in Brevard:

(1) For those of us planning to be there Friday or earlier on Saturday I wondered if you would mind confirming the first destination? You mentioned Cove Creek Falls in your last post. I'd prefer to just meet the group there instead of at the shopping center and I suspect some others may prefer to do the same;

(2) Are you planning to shoot Sunday as well? I thought you were but couldn't tell from your last post.

Thanks!

[jschornak]

I think that this is a BIG maybe for me!! It sounds that it could be a lot of fun.

Cesar,

Are you still interested? Are you going? Please contact John Schornak via the CNPA Members Directory.

Thanks!
John

[cesar]

John,

I will not be able to make it to this outing.

Thank you for keeping me in mind.

Cesar

[abhisheksingh]

Hey John,

Abhishek n I recieved a mail from you but guess it was from your blackberry so i'm not sure if i can reply to that. Can you give me your mail id so that i can send you out my schedule and other details.

Thanks!
Prerna

[jschornak]

Prerna,

No that was from my email. You can reply to it.

Thanks!
John

[jschornak]

All,

I sent out an email to everyone who "signed up" for this outing, but I've not heard back from Woody Atwood, Russ Gavitt, or Mike Landis. I'm already in the mountains, so this may be my last chance to post to the forum. I'm sending out an email this morning to everyone in hopes that we can get connected this weekend.

So going forward all my communications will either be by email or cell-phone.

Thanks!
John

[debrown]

John,
I just want to say thanks for a great weekend on the mountain. You and Mike did a great job of making sure that things went smoothly for us, including ordering up a spectacular sunrise for 2 days in a row.

For those of you who missed this trip, DON"T miss it next year...the scenery was AWESOME. On saturday afternoon I was headed downt he mountain on 276 through Pisgah Forest intending to have a snack and a nap before meeting the crew for the sunset shoot. I saw this brook out of the corner of my eye and pulled over and spent the next 2 hours in this location.

[tomdills]

I'd like to echo Don's comments and post a hearty "thank you" to John and Mike for an excellent outing. I'm not even going to try to keep up with Don on getting images processed, but I do have one to add to the thread.

[debrown]

Tom,.

Great image!! The angels were busy doing their finger painting thing this weekend!!

[abhisheksingh]

Thanks Mike and John! This was a great trip indeed - both I and Prerna had a great time shooting and hiking in the area.

[donnaeaton]

It was great meeting up with you guys on Saturday! I had a blast. It's a great outing and one not to be missed! I hope to see you guys & gals again soon! :) I've attached an image from Devil's Courthouse.

[donnaeaton]

Beautiful images Don & Tom!!!!

[debra.dandro]

Don, Tom, and Donna - beautiful images!!! Hate I missed this one as it sounds like everyone had a really good time. Many thanks to John and Mike for making this a great outing - we definitely need to keep this one on our list for 2009 (and hopefully I'll be there next time). Take care and hope to see you guys soon! :)DJGD

[dawnita]

I too had a great time! Thanks to everyone who made it possible. I look forward to going on this trip again next year.

Here is one of my pics from the weekend.

[donnaeaton]

Hey Dawnita, it was good to see you! Beautiful image, love the warm colors of the water! Now where's that Chipmunk?

[dawnita]

Thanks and I enjoyed seeing you, also. I should have gone with you and Jim to lunch at the Pisgah Inn. We never did make it to the Inn and the chipmunk never did comply with our modeling agreement. In the end, he just peaked his head out a couple times and refused to take the crackers with all the foot and car traffic that kept zooming by. He got a free lunch out of the deal and all I have are a few fuzzy pictures that look like something from Ranger Rick's find the critter games. Next time, I guess I will have to go through a different wildlife agent.

I will try to upload him tomorrow since I have already loaded one pic for the day.

[dawnita]

here is that little elusive critter and his very fuzzy portraiture.

Dawnita

[debrown]

Great...I must admit I thought you were pulling our leg!!!