Fall Turn in the Hudson Valley

[MParker]

The last two years, rather than have our usual long fall weekend on the Virginia Eastern Shore, we decided to try the Hudson Valley. The dates fell to the third weekend both years.

The first year was a huge hit and the weather could not have been better. We shot at number of places on or just off the river between Tarrytown and Poughkeepsie. Last year we varied a bit with some repeat visits and some new locations.

We have, as a group, decided to do it again. It's not too early to start planning.

This year I'd like to venture a little further north, perhaps to The Saugerties. It's not too late to start planning.

I'll suggest Oct 17-20 as a placeholder for this year.

A teaser from last year (D800 and Sigma 15mm)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[mwhartman]

Very beautiful! Nice job placing the sun at the apex of the mountain.

Mike

 

[pinn8]

Mike - I agree with the suggestion to venture a little farther north. We could also consider venturing into ester Massachusetts, which is not far away. Oct 17-20 sounds reasonable to me.

-SteveR

 

[KristinB]

The Hawthorn Suites Hotel has some good rates and good reviews - some of us have booked there from Thursday night through Sunday.

 

[DaniLew]

I hope to be able to do this shoot, but I might only be able to drive up early Saturday morning. We'll see how it goes.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Dani

 

[SLRShooter]

Kristin and Mike,
Not going to be able to make it. Have several other tentative plans in the works. So much to do....so little time.

 

[jryoung1947]

sorry we have to cancel this year I am going to Phoenix for thanksgiving then Daytona Beach for Jan and Feb
$$$ a bit tight ENJOY

 

[pictureted]

Beautiful shot - I love the sun over the mountain and all that fall color!

 

[KristinB]

Very tentative schedule, subject to change as always:

Friday
Walkway over the Hudson sunrise - http://www.walkway.org
Vanderbilt and/or Hyde Park grounds (free) - http://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm & http://www.nps.gov/vama/index.htm
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery - http://www.sleepyhollowcemetery.org/
Bear Mountain late afternoon/sunset - http://nysparks.com/parks/13/details.aspx

Saturday
Fort Montgomery (3 bridges) sunrise - see Mike's shot in the OP
Croton Gorge Park - http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/croton,gorge/Interesting
Scenic drive between Cornwall and West Point - http://www.thecountysbest.com/route218/index.html
Early cemetery offers views of Bannerman Island, along scenic drive - http://www.thecountysbest.com/newwindsorcemetery/index.htm
Bear Mountain late afternoon/sunset - http://nysparks.com/parks/13/details.aspx

Sunday
Stony Point sunrise - http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sunrise-at-emeline-park-thomas-mcguire.html & http://fineartamerica.com/featured/morning-on-the-hudson-river-thomas-mcguire.html & http://fineartamerica.com/featured/emeline-park-sunrise-thomas-mcguire.html & http://fineartamerica.com/featured/stony-point-hudson-sun-thomas-mcguire.html
Seven Lakes Dr - http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/sevenlakesdrive
Harriman State Park - http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/harrimanstatepark/Interesting
High Point State Park (NJ, on the way home for most of us) - http://www.stateparks.com/high_point.html

Optional:
West Point - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8078539850_f2c51b02b4_b.jpg
Moodna Viaduct - http://www.thecountysbest.com/moodnaviaduct/index.html
Chuang Yen Monastery - http://www.baus.org/en/?cat=18

 

[MParker]

Not sure I can make it due to working and family issues but I do have reservations at the Ramada in Fishkill for Fri-Sun.

 

[Jeff A]

I may be able to take Friday off and head up Friday morning instead of Friday night. That would be a lot better than a Friday night trip through North Jersey. A scenic route through the Delaware Water Gap is a distinct possibility depending on what stage the foliage is in. I know of a few waterfalls and cascades that could potentially be worth photographing if there is some midweek rain.

 

[MParker]

I was able to change my reservations to Thursday and I'm thinking about an alternate route too. Last year I went up through the central and western part of NJ.

My only fear for the shoot is that we're gonna miss the peak turn. We're spoiled by our great success 2 years ago.

Last year was OK. We were there just past peak but still had some good scenics. It is reportedly near peak in Glen Falls, a lot farther north (see the thread in the Landscape sub-forum) but, we have almost 2 weeks to go.

 

[NewBert]

It is reportedly near peak in Glen Falls, a lot farther north (see the thread in the Landscape sub-forum) but, we have almost 2 weeks to go.

I believe that you're referring to my thread, Mike. If so, note that the images were all either from Vermont or farther north in the Adirondacks (all shot this past week), and not from the Glens Falls local area. The peak colors right now are at the higher elevations in the Adirondacks and Catskills.

FYI -- If you want to keep up with how the fall colors are progressing, check out this site. Right now, its indicating Low to Moderate color in the lower Hudson Valley.

 

[MParker]

Thanks Bert.
I was not paying attention apparently.

Come down and join us if you can or want to.
How does shooting from West Point to Poughkeepsie along the river compare with your location further north?

 

[NewBert]

Thanks Bert.
I was not paying attention apparently.

Come down and join us if you can or want to.
How does shooting from West Point to Poughkeepsie along the river compare with your location further north?

Thanks, Mike. I'll have to play it by ear whether I can make it....

I'm not very familiar with the area you mention, as it's approx. 170 miles from me. But it looks like Kristen has put together a very nice (and FULL) schedule. Although I'm originally from the NYC area, I'm not familiar with most of the places on the schedule.

 

[KristinB]

Thanks, Mike. I'll have to play it by ear whether I can make it....

I'm not very familiar with the area you mention, as it's approx. 170 miles from me. But it looks like Kristen has put together a very nice (and FULL) schedule. Although I'm originally from the NYC area, I'm not familiar with most of the places on the schedule.

Bert - these itineraries/schedules are very fluid, and almost always end up changing when we are in the field. Also, people have been known to go off on their own if the group activity doesn't appeal. Mobile phones come in handy, of course. (Our usual crowd has each other's numbers, if you decide to join us, please PM me your number and I will let you know if anything changes.)

 

[MParker]

FYI

There are still a couple of rooms each at the Hawthorne Suites (Wyndham) and at the Ramada in Fishkill. Prices are similar.

 

[RickW]

Just a quick suggestion - your proposed Friday itinerary is on the east side of the Hudson and your Saturday session is on the east side other than Croton Gorge. If Croton Gorge makes the cut as a "must do", then you might want to combine it on friday with east of Hudson day. Doing it on Saturday together with Storm King, the cemetary, etc will have you going back and forth over the Hudson, unless you do the gorge first or last thing on Saturday. Incidentally, the orientation of the dam itself is sort of NW to SE. Best viewing time would be later in the day when the setting sun in the west would hit the dam. But consider that the dam is in the gorge with a high tree line west of it and the best time to see late sun on the dam will probably be well before sunset. Nearer to sunset, the sun will be below the treeline and not hit the dam. I am not 100% sure of that - just my recollection from years past.

The photo ops along the Hudson are limitless - so much to see; so little time. You would be hard pressed to make a poor choice of where to visit in the entire Hudson Valley during foliage season. In fact, the entire Taconic Parkway from Ossining to the MA border is one long 90 minute drive of almost unbroken foliage vistas. 90 minutes if you blow through - obviously not what you will be doing.

Regarding the suggestion for Western MA, I would point out adding that neighborhood to the 3 day trip is spreading yourselves very thin. The Berkshires of West MA is fantastic for foliage vistas, but regardless of what it looks like on a map, combining Hudson Valley with Berks is too ambitious. I urge you to pick one or the other. You don't want to spend too many hours in the car.

 

[DABO]

FYI - I was at Mohonk yesterday and it was early for fall colors. Next weekend might be perfect.

 

[Jeff A]

The latest report on the Foliage Network site came out today. Still only showing moderate color for the Southern Hudson Valley. I think we will be alright and be hitting right around the peak color period from all the reports and forecasts I have read. Looking forward to good color and hopefully the weather will be kind to us.