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Great Walk at Great Falls

Over 25 photographers from Gainesville to Baltimore gathered in the early morning hours for a photowalk at the Cheasapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (aka Great Falls on the Maryland side) Saturday morning. I believe we even had a couple show up on the Virginia side as well (sorry George, next time I’ll do better at getting the proper directions out).

Along with many of the normal cast of characters from the Photowalk DC Facebook group we had a number of new faces  (we even had our first canine photowalker).  Though I’m glad to see everyone at these events I was especially happy to see Rob Jones and Mike Palmer.  Mike probably only showed up to get me off his back, I’ve been hounding him for the past two weeks to come out .

Unfortunately for me I decided to try my hand at the Billy Goat trail to try and catch up with some of our group.  The name is extremely applicable for this trail.  I spent over an hour climbing over and around rocks of all sizes with not a lot of photography to show for it.  I almost had my own great fall off a 40 foot cliff.  Not only that but I never caught up with the group so I spent too much time not being a good walk leader.

Here’s a sampling of some of the shots I took.  Be sure and check out our Photowalk DC Flickr group to see everyone else’s shots.

Tags: good company, good conversation, Great Falls, Maryland, Nature, outdoors, photowalk, photowalk dc, Potomac River

Reminder – Great Falls Photowalk July 25th

We’re three days away from our Photowalk at Great Falls.  We’re expecting a nice sized group of around 25 which means there’s plenty of room for more.

It has been pointed out to me that we are actually walking the Cheasapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.  I never noticed that there was a difference in the parks.  Great Falls National Park is on the Virginia side with COC being on the Maryland side.  We’re going on the MARYLAND side.  Please ensure that when you get your directions they are the ones that use MacArther Blvd into the park.

As a reminder, the park opens at 7:00 am and we’ll spend about 15 minutes near the entrance gathering.  Once we start we’ll ramble down to the falls overlook (see map below).  There’s plenty to shoot along the way such as the tavern visitor center, the canal itself and the canal boat.  Once we regroup at the overlook we can get some group shots.  I expect from there we can then split up into smaller groups and explore the park at our leisure.

I’ve been told that to bribe a certain Reston photographer to attend that I will be providing donuts and coffee at the start.  Don’t forget to bring water and maybe a trash bag.  There are no trash cans in the park past the parking lot so you have to carry your trash out.

Hope to see you there!

Tags: Cheasapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, event, Great Falls, Great Falls National Park, nature photography, photoblogging dc, photowalk, Photowalk DC Facebook Group

Announcing Great Falls Photowalk July 25

Event - Photowalk DC #5

This is a combined photowalk of the Photowalk DC Facebook Group and Photoblogging DC.  I hope you consider joining the Photowalk DC Group and becoming a fan of Photoblogging DC on our Facebook page.

Location - Great Falls National Park on the Maryland Side

When - July 25, 2009 at 7:00am to 10:00am

We’ll beat the heat and the crowds.  We stand a better chance of seeing some of the parks four legged residents before they disappear for the day.

We’ll start gathering at the picnic tables near the entrance at 7:00 am.  At 7:15 I hope to have a speaker for a short 20 minute presentation on photography at Great Falls.   After that we can spread out, find our favorite or new favorite spots and get to shooting.

Directions - http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm

Maryland: Take exit 41 (Carderock /Great Falls, MD), follow Clara Barton Parkway to the end. At the stop sign, turn left onto MacArthur Blvd. Follow MacArthur approximately 3.5 miles into the park. MacArthur Blvd. ends at the park.

Virginia: Cross into Maryland over the American Legion Bridge (beltway inner loop) and take exit 41 (Clara Barton Parkway) Westbound, left at fork. Follow Clara Barton to the end. At the stop sign, turn left onto MacArthur Blvd. Follow MacArthur Blvd approximately 3.5 miles into the park. MacArthur Blvd. ends at the park.

From Washington DC: Take M Street to fork. You can follow either MacArthur Blvd, the right fork or take Canal Road, the fork to the left.

MacArthur Blvd.: Follow MacArthur until it ends at the entrance to the Great Falls section of the park, approximately 8 miles.

Canal Road: Follow to Chain Bridge. At stop light continue straight ahead. Canal Road changes into Clara Barton Parkway.  Follow Clara Barton Parkway to the end. At the stop sign, turn left onto MacArthur Blvd., and follow it for approximately 3.5 miles until it ends at the park.

Bring - There is a $5 per vehicle fee to enter the part or you can purchase an annual pass for $20.

This is an outdoor shoot in a nature environment.  You can expect to see creatures such as raccoons, snakes, turtles, tons of lizards and skinks, interesting spiders, dragonflys, and maybe a few deer.  Long lenses are best and maybe a wide angle to get shots of the falls.

There is a refreshment stand at the entrance to the park but I’m not sure what time it opens.  Its best to bring your own water just in case.

Registration - Please leave a comment here or register on our Facebook event page.

Tags: event, Great Falls, Great Falls National Park, Maryland, nature photography, photoblogging dc, photowalk, Photowalk DC Facebook Group