To truly appreciate the colors and details of a stunning photograph, nothing compares to a fine art print. Prints not only provide a means to display a photograph at a much larger scale, they also allow for the photograph to be printed in an expanded color space beyond the sRGB of the Web. The result is a piece of art that fully captures the details, colors, and beauty of the scene as I experienced it.
Aluminum Prints
My personal favorite method of photo printing and display is to print my photographs on aluminum through a process known as dye-sublimation. The result is a print of unrivaled clarity, color, and beauty.
Hanging Options & Finish
All of my aluminum prints come ready-to-hang with a float mount (details below). All prints come with a semi-gloss finish that accentuates the colors and details of the print, while also minimizing glare.
Float Mount
Float mounts set the print 1” off the wall, giving the print the appearance of “floating” off the wall. This striking and modern look eliminates the need for a frame, matting, and glass, reducing cost and glare.
Finishing Touches
All prints are hand-signed, and include the year in which they were printed. While prints are typically signed in the bottom-right corner, occasionally the bottom-left will be signed if it fits the composition better. I also include a handwritten note with each print about the moment captured in the photograph, what it means to me, and what I hope it will mean to you.
Paper Prints
Traditional paper prints are an excellent and affordable way to enjoy my photography in your home or office. Prints are made on high-quality Kodak Lustre paper, which showcases the colors and contrast of the image and has a slight, almost pearl-like texture that provides added depth. This paper also has the benefit of possessing minimal glare, so that the print can be enjoyed in uneven lighting when framed.
Custom Orders
Looking to purchase a print in a different style than paper or aluminum? Please reach out to me via the “contact” header on this website and I’d be happy to work with you to meet your needs.
How to Order
To purchase a print, simply click “Buy” below the image title and caption, and you’ll be able to select the size and framing option of your choice. If you are viewing the image on a mobile device or in full screen mode, just click the << symbol in the upper-right of the webpage to reveal the “Buy” option. For any questions regarding prints, please send me a message by clicking on the “contact” tab at the top of this page, and I will get back to you shortly. Prints are typically delivered within 2-3 weeks of ordering.
Higher and Higher was chosen as the cover for the March-April 2021 cover of Adirondac Magazine!
Beautiful sunset light makes the snowy winter landscape come alive. The solitude and dramatic beauty of winter makes it my favorite time of year to explore the mountains. Adirondack Mountains, New York.
Viewing animals in their wild, natural habitat is one of the most thrilling aspects of hiking and outdoor adventure travel. Coming away with photos that expertly capture these moments, whether using a smartphone or expensive digital camera, can be difficult, and it’s frustrating to giddily flip through freshly taken wildlife photos only to discover that the trophy shots are blurry or not properly exposed. The following tips and tricks will help you come away from your next outdoor adventure with stunning wildlife photos, with special attention given to the extra-challenging conditions present during the winter season. Remember, always give birds and animals a wide berth and never approach wildlife. No photo is worth endangering yourself or an animal.
Evolution: An intimate view of an Atlantic Puffin on Machias Seal Island showcases the incredible color and detail of a puffin’s beak. Prints available.
Study the Subject and Anticipate the Action
While wild animals are of course unpredictable, being patient and taking the time necessary to study their behavior can aid in coming away with stellar action shots, particularly birds in flight. The generally playful nature of animals, such as puffins, can make for interesting, even funny photos of animals interacting with each other or goofing around solo. Traveling with a friend or family member can also be helpful, as they can alert you to opportunities outside your immediate field of view.
Pay Close Attention to Shutter Speed and Shoot in Bursts
One of the most common wildlife photography pitfalls is not using a fast enough shutter speed and coming away with blurry, out-of-focus photos. For bird photography with a digital safe-lens reflex camera (DSLR) or a mirrorless camera that provides greater manual control of settings, a good rule of thumb is to use a shutter speed of 1/1000s or faster for birds in flight or on the move. If the light level is low and precludes the use of such a fast shutter speed, bump up the ISO, or sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light, a bit and use a wider aperture in the f/4 to f/8 range to allow in enough light while still maintaining the depth of field to keep the subject sharp. When using a smart phone that doesn’t allow as much fine control of shutter speed settings, shooting in “burst mode” is a great way to ensure that you crisply capture the action of an animal in motion.
Guardian Angel: A bald eagle perched high up on a December morning. Prints available.
Think Small and Large in Terms of Subjects and Lenses
AMC’s region is blessed with a wide variety of wildlife, ranging in size from mighty to miniscule. Moose, black bears, deer, coyotes, puffins, owls, starfish, salamanders, and insects are just some of the many potential wildlife photography subjects that can be found in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The two types of lenses that come in most handy when shooting a large or small animal subject are a telephoto and macro lens, respectively. A telephoto lens in the 300 to 600 mm focal length is perfect for capturing large animals from a distance without spooking them and for capturing frame-filling shots of birds such as puffins in flight. On the other end of the spectrum, a macro lens is tailor-made for capturing small subjects such as insects in astounding detail. If you’re shooting with a smart phone, a variety of telephoto and macro adaptors are available that can be attached to the camera and can yield surprisingly stunning results.
Eat Your Veggies: A young moose enjoys some lunch. Prints available.
Winter-specific tips
Protect Yourself
One of the most challenging aspects of winter wildlife photography is keeping yourself and your photography gear safe in the sometimes hostile conditions of winter. Wildlife photography is often a waiting game, and while it’s relatively easy to stay warm while on the move, having the right layers and gear are critical to staying comfortable and safe while waiting for just the right moment. In addition to snowshoes , skis, and microspikes or crampons for traction, items such as a warm and lightweight jacket and pants, balaclava, and even ski goggles will help keep you warm and protect your skin from the biting cold and wind while you’re taking photos. Perhaps the most critical piece of clothing for the winter photographer is hand protection , and finding the perfect balance between keeping hands warm while maintaining enough dexterity to change lenses and adjust camera settings can be a tricky task. Pairing a thin and windproof glove with a warm pair of mittens can provide the best of both worlds, where the mittens can be put on when hands get cold, and the base layer glove provides just enough protection and supple dexterity to handle the camera. Carrying extra pairs of gloves is always wise, as gloves that have become sweaty on a hike can become hazardous if a prolonged photo session is planned. If the conditions are truly arctic, throwing a hand warmer inside each glove is an easy way to ensure that hands stay toasty while maintaining dexterity.
Elusive Beauty: Watched this beautiful creature from a distance as I waited for it to eventually cast its gaze on me and captured the photo seen here. Prints available.
Protect Your Camera
Protecting the camera from harsh winter conditions not only increases your chances of taking the best possible photos, it also prevents your often expensive photo gear from ruin. A waterproof camera cover comes in handy when photographing in snowstorms or freezing rain and costs much less than replacing a camera body that’s been ruined by water damage. Condensation can also be a problem in winter, especially when taking the camera from the cold, dry outdoor air to a warm and relatively humid house, cabin, or car. Allowing the camera to gradually adjust to temperature differences limits the chances of condensation forming on the camera and lens and potentially making its way inside the camera. Leaving the camera in a camera bag inside a backpack or camera bag overnight will help it adjust. While these tips will help to avoid damaging your gear after you’ve finished your outing, a challenge you may face while out in the field is moisture from snow or rain accumulating and freezing on the front of the lens. Periodically checking the lens glass for snow and ice will prevent the frustration of having an excellent photo rendered useless. While snowflakes can typically be brushed off the lens using a microfiber cloth or an air blower such as the Giottos Rocket Air , take special care if ice has accumulated on the lens. Trying to scrape off ice can lead to scratches which could permanently mar an expensive lens or filter. This is another situation where the ever-useful hand warmer can save the day. Gently holding one against the ice helps it melt, allowing you to easily wipe or blow away the remaining water with a microfiber cloth or rocket blower.
Thumper: Look closely and you’ll see evidence of a rabbit hopping by in the background. Prints available.
Pack Extra Batteries
Cold temperatures drain battery life, and there’s nothing more frustrating than getting part-way through a photo outing and having your camera battery die. Packing a couple extra batteries for your camera, or an external battery pack for a smart phone, can be a trip-saver when they’re needed. Extra batteries will be rendered useless, though, if they’re left unprotected at the top of your pack and subjected to the cold as you hike. Stashing batteries toward the center of the pack, where they’ll be insulated by the surrounding contents, can help maintain the batteries’ life. Double-bagging batteries in a plastic bag and placing a hand warmer in between the two bags can also provide extra insurance in truly frigid winter conditions.
Utilize Animal Tracks
One of the advantages of winter wildlife photography is that the snow-blanketed landscape makes a perfect canvas to capture the tracks of animals on the move. While tracks or paw prints from animals such as deer, wolves, and rabbits can be useful aids when pursuing an animal to photograph, the tracks themselves can make for interesting photo subjects and can add intrigue and mystery to a landscape photo. Remember, do not approach wildlife anytime, but especially not in winter, as causing animals to expend energy unnecessarily threatens their ability to survive until spring.
Exploring nature with the intention of capturing wildlife photos is one of the best ways to feel connected to the natural world. Utilizing these tips will help you not only come away from your next photo outing with better photos, but will aid in keeping you and your gear safe while getting out during the winter months.
LEARN MORE:
Respect wildlife as you take their photo by following Leave No Trace principles.
“Two-step” A beautiful Atlantic Puffin walks along the rocks of Machias Seal Island, which possesses the densest population of puffins on the Maine coast. Prints available.
Note
A version of this article can be found at AMC Outdoors.
For a winter adventure that’s equal parts unforgettable and challenging, it’s hard to beat a winter ascent of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack High Peaks. Checking in at an elevation of 5,344 feet, Mount Marcy is the highest peak in New York and offers commanding views of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and valleys in all directions. With over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and a round-trip distance of nearly 15 miles via the shortest route to the summit, Mount Marcy makes for a long and challenging hike any time of year, but especially in winter when the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the days are short. Along with possessing the necessary fitness and knowledge, having the proper gear is paramount to completely a winter summit bid not only successfully, but also safely. In addition to common essentials such as a winter hat, gloves/mittens, snowshoes, and waterproof (and possibly insulated) hiking boots, the following 10 gear items are critical for any winter climb of Marcy and can all be purchased at EMS.
Leaders of the Pack: A beautiful winter sunset from the windblown slopes of Mount Marcy. Prints Available.
Proper traction in winter is absolutely essential, and it seems like every winter weekend an unprepared hiker in bare boots (or even tennis shoes) slips and gets hurt in the High Peaks. With the amount of snow and ice varying from week to week in the winter, as well as with elevation, it’s wise to be prepared for hiking in both deep powder and ice-coated rock slabs on any winter ascent of Marcy. Even when the trail leading to the final summit approach is covered in feet of fluffy snow, the exposed, wind-swept rock slabs that comprise the summit dome are often largely devoid of powdery snow and are rather coated in a thick layer of ice. Snowshoes are typically too clunky and don’t offer sufficient traction for such terrain, but this is where microspikes, such as the EMS Ice Talons, really shine. Lighter and much more user-friendly than classic crampons, the EMS Ice Talons will allow you to confidently and safely navigate the rime ice and crunchy snow that will almost certainly be encountered below Marcy’s summit.
The use of trekking poles while hiking is largely a personal decision, but they can be especially handy on a winter ascent of Marcy. In addition to alleviating some lower body stress (especially on the knees while descending), trekking poles can provide critical stability on the exposed final summit push where the wind can be so strong it can throw off your balance and sometimes even knock you on your feet. For hiking in powdery snow, be sure to put some wider baskets at the end of the trekking poles. Similar in concept to snowshoes, broader winter baskets give trekking poles better flotation in deep snow.
Hiking to Whoville: Towering, whimsical evergreens caked with snow made it feel like I was hiking to Whoville. Prints Available.
Snow googles will serve two purposes on this hike. For one thing, they’ll keep your eyelids from freezing shut if the summit is windy (which it often is) and snow is blowing in the air. Secondly, most snow goggles also act as sunglasses to protect against snow blindness, which can occur when unprotected eyes are subjected to extended periods of bright sunshine reflecting off of white snow. While you might be able to get away with using typical sunglasses for eye protection on calm days, mountain weather is unpredictable and winds can whip up in an instant, making snow goggles a prudent accessory to toss in your pack for a winter climb of Marcy.
Sweating too much while hiking in the winter is one of the most sure-fire ways to get into a dangerous, hypothermic situation. Dressing in layers is essential for regulating body temperature, and it all starts with the next-to-skin base layer. Choosing a base layer material that’s wicking and quick-drying is key, and the old adage “cotton kills” comes to mind here. Unlike cotton, which takes a long time to dry once it’s wet and will sap your body of heat, it’s best to utilize synthetic materials or merino wool when choosing a base layer. The EMS Lightweight Synthetic Base Layer tights and crewneck long sleeve, for example, are made of moisture-wicking and quick-drying 100% polyester, which will pull perspiration away from the body to better regulate body temperature and prevent a bone-chilling cold to set in, especially while stopping for a break.
Being at the highest elevation in the state comes with some of the harshest weather in the Northeast. For protection against wind, precipitation, and trudging through deep snow, a breathable outer layer that’s wind and water-proof is key. Pants such as the Skyward II, and a jacket such as the Interstellar (both from Outdoor Research) help form a protective barrier between you and the harsh winter elements, especially when in the exposed alpine zone.
Snow Ghosts: Fresh snow covers towering evergreens along the trail to Mount Marcy. Prints Available.
Wet, cold feet are likely the most common complaint among people new to winter hiking. In addition to hiking in sturdy and waterproof boots, gaiters are the best accessory to ensure that feet stay dry and toasty, and are worth their weight in gold on hikes through deep snow. Gaiters effectively cover boot tops and prevent snow from getting in, even when hiking through waist-deep snow. The Outdoor Research Crocodile gaiters are the classic, gold-standard gaiter for winter hiking, and come with a Gore-Tex membrane to ensure that the gaiters don’t wet-out even in slushy conditions.
Continuing with the keeping feet warm and dry theme, choosing the right socks can be the difference between a safe and comfortable hike and a painful and dangerous slog. Just as the aforementioned base layers for your upper and lower body help manage sweat and regulate body temperature, a thin pair of synthetic liner socks like the EMS X-Static Sock Liners help to pull perspiration away from the foot to prevent cold and clammy feet. Following up the liner sock with a mid-weight sock such as the Smartwool PhD Pro adds extra insulation without overheating.
As previously mentioned, layering clothing is critical in winter. A warm yet lightweight insulated jacket should always be in your pack in winter, and will come in handy while stopping to take a snack break and for braving the exposed alpine zone on the final approach to Marcy’s summit. Down offers an optimal warmth-to-weight ratio, and modern down jackets such as the EMS Feather Pack Hooded Jacket now offer water-repellent down which retains its insulation value even in wet conditions.
Short winter days coupled with a nearly 15 mile round-trip hike means that part of your hike will likely be spent in the dark. Packing a headlamp (and spare batteries) such as the Petzl Tikka will help keep the trail illuminated and you safe when it’s dark out.
Signs in the Sky: Moonlight illuminates snowy evergreens on a clear and starry winter night. Prints Available.
Staying properly hydrated is always important while hiking, but no matter how much water you carry, it won’t do you any good if it’s frozen. Boiling water before the hike and keeping water bottles inside your backpack is typically good enough to keep water from freezing on a day hike, but an insulated water bottle or thermos such as the Camelbak Carry Cap 32 oz Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle will eliminate any doubt that your beverage of choice will be in a liquid state when you need it.
Hostility: High winds below the summit of Mount Marcy carved the snow into interesting patterns and line. Prints Available.
Opening Image
“Deception” Warm sunset light illuminates the distant summit of Whiteface on a cold and windy winter evening. Prints Available.
Encompassing six million acres and possessing a myriad of mountains ranging in size from mile-high Mount Marcy to short and wooded summits, the Adirondacks has a mountain for every schedule and ability. Few outdoor experiences are more memorable or enjoyable than watching the sunset in solitude from a mountain summit, and the experience is made even more memorable with the extra challenges and solitude present in the winter season. With that in mind, here is a collection of Adirondack peaks that are all excellent winter sunset destinations.
Phelps Mountain
While not one of the tallest or the highest Adirondack High Peaks, Phelps Mountain is my personal favorite Adirondack peak for watching and photographing a winter sunset. Ringing in at a round-trip distance of 8.8 miles with almost 2,000 feet of elevation gain if departing from the Adirondack Loj (parking fee of $15/day, reduced to $7/day for Adirondack Mountain Club members) Phelps is in that sweet spot of providing enough of a challenge to make you feel like you’ve really accomplished something, while being short enough so that you won’t be hiking back in the dark for hours on end. After a quick 2 mile jaunt to Marcy Dam and a little over a mile of gradual climbing along Phelps Brook, a classic steep and rugged Adirondack trail diverges from the Van Hoevenberg Trail to climb 1.2 miles to the summit of Phelps. Two characteristics of Phelps make this peak particularly amenable to winter sunsets. First, although the summit offers expansive views, it’s not completely exposed and hardy evergreen provide protection from the wind and make for interesting photo subjects when they’re caked with snow and ice. Second, Phelps offers wide-open views to the west, meaning that you’ll have a clear vantage point of the sun setting over the lofty summits of Mount Colden and Algonquin Peak, with Mount Marcy catching beautiful sidelight. While views from the summit proper are exceptional, ledges a couple hundred yards shy of the summit might provide an even better vantage point to watch the setting sun cast a warm glow on the snowy landscape
Renewal: The setting sun broke through the clouds just enough to bring the snowy landscape to life. Prints available.
Cascade Mountain
As one of the shortest and easiest of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks to climb, Cascade Mountain is a justly popular peak. While winter crowds are typically less than those found in summer and fall, the small parking lots on Rt. 73 can easily get overwhelmed on weekends. The late start that you’ll get to time it right to catch sunset from the summit typically makes this a moot point, but aim to do this one on a weekday if possible, just in case. The vast majority of this hike is spent sheltered in the woods, and while the grade never gets too obnoxious, the climbing begins right from the parking lot and doesn’t let up much for the duration of the hike. A junction with the trail to Porter Mountain (another High Peak that’s often combined with a trek up Cascade) is reached at 2.1 miles, and then the final push to the exposed summit begins. Shortly after the trail junction is a good time to bundle up, as the wind is often much stronger on the exposed summit than the sheltered approach trail. Even though it only comes in as the 36th tallest peak in the High Peaks Region, Cascade offers a panoramic view that is likely a top 10 summit view in the Adirondacks.
Ecstasy: The gnarled and hardy evergreens that occupy tree line and the beginning of the alpine zone make my heart pound and creativity flow unlike anything else found in nature when they become covered with snow in the depths of winter. Prints available.
Coney Mountain
With a round-trip distance of only 2.2 miles and an elevation gain of about 550 feet, Coney Mountain is one of the best bang-for-your-buck mountains in all of New York. Located off of Route 30 between Long Lake and Tupper Lake, Coney is a great destination to enjoy your first mountaintop winter sunset. A sheltered trail climbs gradually from the small parking lot through a beautiful forest before reaching the mostly open summit. Part of Tupper Lake can be seen in the distance and nearby Goodman Mountain (which itself is another good sunset hike) adds visual interest to the view. If the sky is clear and weather calm, hanging around after sunset to watch the stars is an incredibly rewarding experience, and the short distance back to the trailhead makes the return hike in the dark a breeze.
Adventures with You: Enjoying the view from Coney, with part of Tupper Lake visible in the distance.
Mount Marcy
Standing as the highest mountain in New York at an elevation of 5,344 feet, Mount Marcy draws hikers from near and far. There’s just something about being at the highest point in a state that’s alluring, and from the icy winter summit of Marcy, all of the Adirondacks spreads out below your lofty perch. With a round-trip distance of nearly 15 miles coupled with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain, climbing Marcy makes for a long day, and catching the sunset from the summit means that you’ll have several hours of hiking in the dark back to the trailhead to look forward to. For those that have the requisite experience, fitness, and gear, though, it doesn’t get any better than this. After gradually ascending to treeline, the final half-mile push to the summit is on the wide-open and rocky summit block, with no protection from the elements. Once on the summit, a panoramic view of mountains and lakes spreads as far as the eye can see. As the sun sets over the distant horizon, take pride in the fact that no one in the state is higher than you, physically and maybe emotionally too, before readying for the long and dark sojourn home.
Above All Else: The quiet serenity of the forest was abruptly replaced by the howling winds of the alpine zone. Prints available.
Algonquin and Wright Peaks
Two of the more popular High Peaks to climb, Algonquin and Wright are neighbors that share the same route for the first 3.4 miles from the Adirondack Loj and are thus often climbed in tandem. Coming in at round-trip distances of 7.6 (with 2400 ft. elevation gain) and 8.6 (with 2900 ft. elevation gain) miles respectively, Wright and Algonquin are both classic Adirondack climbs that make for excellent sunset destinations. Both of these summits are quite exposed, though, which means expansive views but also little to no protection from the elements. It’s thus best to get some safer sunset summits under your belt before aiming for Wright or Algonquin. From the Wright-Algonquin trail junction reached 3.4 miles from the Adirondack Loj parking lot, a left turns leads 0.4 miles to the summit of Wright. Views abound in all directions, with Whiteface and the ski jumps of Lake Placid in the distance to the north. The best part of Wright’s vantage point, though, is its proximity to the summit block of Algonquin, which towers above you and the seemingly endless procession of snow-covered evergreens that fill the divide between Wright and Algonquin. If the wind is howling, descending a bit from the summit to treeline provides a more sheltered, and possibly more interesting vantage point from which to watch the sunset over the shoulder of Algonquin and light up the flanks of Wright in brilliantly glowing sunset hues.
The Darkness in Between: Evening lights shines on snowy krummholz and distant mountains as the valley in between plunges into darkness. Prints available.
If at the aforementioned trail junction you’re feeling up for some added distance and elevation, rather than taking the side trail up to Wright continue on 0.9 miles to the exposed alpine summit of Algonquin. Views from the rocky tundra are unfettered and include Colden with its many slides and Trap Dike. Due to its entirely exposed nature, Algonquin is a peak best saved for a calm day. Spend some time exploring the summit before sunset (while being careful not to trample the rare and delicate alpine plants that make the summit home) and marvel at how the raking winds have sculpted the snow into fanciful shapes. As the second highest peak in the Adirondacks, Algonquin has a “top of the world” feel to it, and lingering on the summit and watching the sunset sky transition from orange to magenta to the deepest blue-black imaginable is an experience that could never be forgotten.
Opening Image
“Ice In The Veins” The snowy landscape picks up a brilliant sunset glow high in the Adirondack Mountains. Prints available.
Winter in the Adirondacks is truly magical. With rocks and roots buried in snow, vicious flies and mosquitoes a distant memory, and the thick, humid air of summer replaced with a crisp chill, there are countless benefits to exploring the Adirondacks in winter. When it comes to photography, no other time of year allows for such dramatic and otherworldly photos to be created. From forested foothills to the exposed alpine zone above tree line, the landscape takes on a special character that beckons to be photographed. If you’re going to make the most of winter photography in the Adirondacks, there are certain techniques and equipment required for a safe and successful experience, not to mention three geographic zones that make for especially stunning winter photography.
Island in the Sky: The snowy summit of Whiteface Mountain barely pokes above the clouds at dusk. The pink glow in the sky is known as the “Belt of Venus” and is commonly seen on clear days before sunrise and after sunset. Dynamic conditions like these make winter exploration and photography a thrilling experience.
Gear & Equipment
Before heading out to explore and photograph the winter wilderness, gearing up with the proper photography equipment is imperative to achieving the best possible results. There are a plethora of options available when it comes to cameras, with digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) and mirrorless cameras currently the two most predominant types. Choosing a camera can be a daunting and often confusing task when starting out in photography, and it’s easy to get bogged down in the nitty gritty details. While it’s possible to take excellent photographs with a wide array of cameras, there are certain attributes that facilitate the creation of high-quality images. These include being able to shoot in Manual mode to have full control over aperture, exposure time, and ISO (sensitivity to light), which allows the photographer to modulate each setting for creative purposes. Cameras with removable lenses are also ideal as it allows the use of a particular lens for a certain purpose. A wide-angle lens of 16-35mm, for example, is perfect for expansive landscapes, but won’t be able to zoom in and provide a detailed shot of a snowy mountaintop in the distance. A telephoto lens (200-400mm, for example), on the other hand, is perfect for frame-filling shots of mountain ridges or an owl perched on a snowy tree branch. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a macro lens is specifically designed for close-up and intimate views where the lens is placed mere inches from a subject such as intricate icicles or the snow-covered tips of a tree branch.
Aside from a camera and lenses, the most important piece of photography gear for making beautiful winter images is a tripod. A tripod is a necessity in low light conditions such as dusk and dawn when a longer exposure time is required and hand-holding the camera would result in a blurry image. Splurging on a carbon fiber tripod is one of the best equipment investments that can be made, as carbon fiber provides an optimal balance of being lightweight yet sturdy. Topping the tripod with a ball head that can freely rotate and that the camera will be attached to allows the camera to be firmly locked in place once the desired composition has been framed.
Soothe the Soul: Soft moonlight illuminates snowy evergreens on a clear and starry winter night. Using a tripod for this shot was essential to ensure a sharp image given the multi-second exposure. Prints available.
A number of accessories are worth the space in your camera bag, with possibly none being more useful than a circular polarizer filter. A circular polarizer cuts glare and helps to bring out the color and saturation of reflective surfaces such as water, and also deepens the color of a blue sky. The effect that a circular polarizer has is dependent on the angle of the light source to the reflective surface, and can be tuned to the desired level by turning the circular polarizer.
Neutral density filters are another type of filter that can yield interesting results. These filters come in varying degrees of darkness that prevent a certain amount of light from reaching the camera sensor, thus requiring a longer exposure time to be used. Neutral density filters are particularly useful in situations where a long exposure is desired but it’s too bright out to use a long exposure time without overexposing the photo. These filters are great for turning nearly imperceptible motion, such as foam bubbles or fallen leaves on the water’s surface slowly turning in an eddy, or clouds gradually drifting through the sky, into fascinating swirls and streaks that are revealed over the course of a multi-second exposure.
Cover-Up: Soft lights accentuates boulders adorned with snow and ice along the Raquette River. Prints available.
A remote shutter release is another useful and relatively inexpensive accessory. These come in varying levels of functionality, but all serve the same general purpose, which is to trip the shutter and take a photo by pressing the remote shutter release instead of pressing the shutter on the camera. This helps to create the sharpest image possible by eliminating vibration that could be introduced by pressing the shutter button on the camera. Spare batteries in winter are also critical, as frigid temperatures sap battery life, and a microfiber cloth also comes in handy for wiping water droplets and dew off of the lens front without scratching the lens.
Proper clothing and hiking gear plays as critical a role as photography equipment when it comes to winter photography, and is essential not only for safe and efficient travel, but also to make the photographic experience as enjoyable as possible. While a deep-dive into this topic is beyond the scope of this article, one of the most important pieces of non-photographic gear that has the biggest impact on winter shooting is hand protection. Finding the optimal balance between warmth and dexterity can be tricky, but a pair of lightweight gloves with grip on the fingertips provides enough dexterity to adjust camera settings while typically providing sufficient warmth in calm conditions. In truly frigid or excessively windy conditions, throwing a pair of mittens over the gloves allows the hands to warm up before going down to just gloves again when camera adjustments are necessary.
Snowshine: Bluebird days following a big snowfall don’t happen nearly as often as I wish they could in winter, but it’s always a special treat to tramp through the fresh and fluffy snow when the conditions align.
The Alpine Zone
Once you’re geared up with the proper photography and hiking equipment, it’s time to head out to the winter wilderness. The alpine zone above tree line in the High Peaks is one of the most fascinating destinations for winter shoots in the Adirondacks. Even when the foothills have just a dusting of snow, this zone is often a veritable winter wonderland. With ever-changing and oftentimes savage weather, you never know exactly what conditions you’ll be greeted with, no matter how many times you’ve climbed a given peak. This can make it challenging to plan ahead and visualize the kind of photographs that you’d like to make, but it also presents a great opportunity for making incredible images.
Given the exposed nature of the alpine zone, where shelter from the elements is practically nonexistent and snowdrifts can often obscure navigational markers, above tree line is not the place to be during inclement weather. After a storm has passed, however, can be one of the best times for capturing images in these areas that are covered in freshly fallen snow with dramatic, clearing skies overhead.
Depending on the size of the storm, access above tree line can be more challenging and dangerous than usual, as trudging through a couple feet of powder, even with snowshoes on, requires significantly more effort than trekking on hard-packed snow. While rare in these mountains, avalanche danger is also heightened after a heavy fall of snow. The alpine zone is also an excellent destination to photograph early and late in the season, when the conditions at lower elevations are suboptimal. A climb that begins on a trail barely covered in snow can lead to areas that still resemble peak winter conditions.
Leaders of the Pack: A beautiful winter sunset from the windblown slopes of Mount Marcy, looking west towards Algonquin. Prints available.
The expansive nature of the alpine zone is perfect for wide-angle landscape photography. Fierce winds that rake the high summits carve snowdrifts into fanciful shapes that create interest in the foreground, and leading lines that draw the eye into the photo. The crisp winter air produces the deepest blue sky imaginable, which contrasts nicely against puffy white clouds and the snowy landscape—utilizing a circular polarizer to reduce glare can make this contrast pop even more. While clear skies make for beautiful, sunny hiking weather they present a challenge to the photographer. Featureless skies can make an otherwise intriguing composition boring and uninteresting. This can be combatted by having hikers or trees silhouetted on the horizon or by using a small aperture to create a sunburst that adds drama and intrigue to an otherwise featureless sky.
Frozen Waterfalls
The sound and sight of water cascading through a pristine forest is one of nature’s greatest gifts. While waterfalls are beautiful photographic subjects any time of year, when the temperature drops and the falling waters of summer and autumn slowly solidify, they take on a surreal and otherworldly magnificence. The Adirondack Mountains are blessed with a bounty of waterfalls, big and small, easily accessible and off the beaten path, providing countless opportunities for photographing the haunting beauty of water frozen in time.
Early in the winter season, when intricate ice details begin to take shape, yet water is still flowing, offers optimal conditions for making dynamic photos. A favorite technique when photographing waterfalls is to utilize a long exposure, anywhere from ¼ of a second to multiple seconds, depending on the water’s flow rate and the desired effect. This technique gives the moving water a silky smooth appearance.
Takeover: A waterfall spills into the frozen chasm of High Falls Gorge in winter. Prints available.
A circular polarizer not only helps to reduce glare off of rocks and ice, but also helps to increase exposure time by decreasing the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor. Neutral density filters can also be used if an even longer exposure time is desired. A tripod is essential for these long exposures in order to achieve a sharp image, and to take multiple exposures to blend in post-processing if the dynamic range of the scene is too broad to cover in a single exposure, as often is the case when bright white snow and water, as well as dark rocks or trees, are all found in the same composition.
An unlikely piece of gear that can come in handy when photographing waterfalls is a small travel umbrella. Depending on the size of the waterfall and how close the camera is placed to the moving water, spray from the waterfall can be nuisance, and can ruin a photo-shoot if it unknowingly accumulates on the front of the lens. Spray is especially a concern when using a wide-angle lens and getting close to moving water to emphasize water action as a foreground element. After settling on a composition, if spray has accumulated on the lens front, a microfiber cloth can be used to wipe the water droplets away with one hand while shielding the camera with the umbrella, thereby preventing more spray from accumulating. The umbrella can then be lifted right before tripping the shutter to ensure that the shot gets off before water droplets accumulate on the lens again.
Forests and Intimate Details
The deep forests that comprise much of the six million acres of the Adirondack Park hold many hidden scenes just waiting to be discovered by the patient photographer. Whether en route to a high summit or on a relaxed Sunday morning snowshoe through the woods, pay close attention to your surroundings and you’ll discover intricate details that often go unnoticed. The small creek that gets stepped over in the summer without a thought is transformed into an abstract world full of bizarre forms when it freezes. Evergreens that typically blend into the background become coated with rime ice and morph into something straight from a Dr. Seuss book. Shadows cast on the snowy forest floor by the low-angled winter sun take on ghostly shapes.
The winter forest, while serene, can also be a chaotic and difficult subject to successfully photograph. A fresh blanket of snow can help to simplify things by covering up the jumbled forest undergrowth, but extra care still needs to be taken to ensure that not too much is crammed into the same image. Experimenting with a telephoto lens to isolate smaller sections of the forest is a great way to clarify the winter forest, and these lenses are especially useful for turning the mundane into an abstract work of art, especially when the image is converted to black and white. Using a telephoto lens to create a frame-filling shot of snow-covered tree branches, for example, can yield an image that’s a study of lines, shapes, and textures, and presents the winter forest in a unique and intriguing way.
Projecting Confidence: Low-angled evening light struck the snowy landscape at just the right angle to allow a little evergreen sapling to project a shadow much larger than the tree itself. Prints available.
One of the most fascinating aspects about mountain climbing is how the geography changes with elevation, and this is especially apparent when it comes to trees. The towering hardwoods that stretch to the sky in the foothills give way to hardy evergreens as elevation increases, which shrink in size and take on fanciful shapes as the alpine zone is neared due to the constant battering by wind. The upper reaches of the forest, where the tree cover thins out and the sky is more readily viewed, presents unique photography opportunities. Evergreens caked with rime ice and fresh ice are the epitome of an Adirondack winter, and stand like frozen sentinels keeping watch over the mountains. The eerie glow that permeates at dusk can be the perfect complement to the bizarre shapes that these trees often take on, and a clear night and starry sky also lends itself to creating truly unique images.
Exploring and photographing the Adirondacks in winter presents numerous challenges, but even more rewards. Braving hostile conditions and coming away with awe-inspiring photographs of your journey will stir up feelings of accomplishment and ecstasy so potent that you’ll be itching to get back into the frozen winter wilderness as soon as the car ride home begins. With the proper hiking and photography gear in your pack, and creative vision in your mind, the haunting beauty of winter will be revealed and make you wish that spring would never come.
Opening Image: “Higher and Higher” – Beautiful sunset light makes the snowy winter landscape come alive. The solitude and dramatic beauty of winter makes it my favorite time of year to explore the mountains. Prints available.
Note: A version of this article appeared in the Winter 2019 issue of Local ADK magazine.
Stating that 2020 has been the most unusual of years surely won’t be news to anyone. I hope that as the year winds down, all of you and your loved ones have been able to stay safe and healthy through all of the challenges that this year has thrown at us. Even in a difficult year like this one, I personally think that rather than vindictively flush 2020 down the drain, it’s important to look back and reflect on the year while recognizing the bright spots that we enjoyed, even if they were few and far between. Even with all the sacrifices that had to be made this year, I feel incredibly fortunate to have still been able to get outside to explore and photograph the great outdoors so much this year, even if that meant scrapping international and out of state adventures and traveling exclusively in good ol’ Upstate New York. So here are 12 of my favorite photos (plus one bonus!) that I took this year, presented in chronological order (starting with “Ecstasy”). I hope that you enjoy them, and that 2021 will be filled with good health and good times for all!
Morning Mirror (opening photo)
Calm, foggy mornings are the perfect time to be out in a canoe, and sometimes the water is so still it feels like you’re floating in a giant mirror. Adirondack Park, New York. Prints available.
Ecstasy
As you can probably tell by the quantity of such photos in my portfolio, the Adirondacks in winter is quite possibly my personal favorite photography subject. In particular, the gnarled and hardy evergreens that occupy tree line and the beginning of the alpine zone make my heart pound and creativity flow unlike anything else found in nature when they become covered with snow in the depths of winter. After climbing the surprisingly deserted trail to the summit of Cascade, I was greeted with a wind-chill that approached -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and a fantasy-land of pure winter magic unlike anything I had seen before. The challenging weather conditions only added to the experience and made it that much more memorable, and as the sun dipped below the distant mountains and the most intense post-sunset glow I’ve ever witnessed emanated through the sky, I raced around like a madman capturing as many photos as I could. After the sky shifted from orange, to pink, to blue, to black, I began my descent down the dark and lonely trail, reveling in the feeling of pure ecstasy that only comes from the wilderness and doing what you love most in the world. Prints available.
Projecting Confidence
Low-angled evening light struck the snowy landscape at just the right angle to allow a little evergreen sapling to project a shadow much larger than the tree itself. Adirondack Mountains, New York Prints available.
The Cozy Cabin
Stars twinkle over a cabin nestled in the Adirondack Mountains. There aren’t many feelings in life better than returning to a cozy cabin with a roaring fire after a day full of winter adventures. This photo appeared in Adirondack Life’s 2020 Cabin Issue. Prints available.
Above All Else
Sometimes a photograph comes to fruition at the spur of the moment, with little to no planning or pre-visualization. Other times, however, much preparation and just the right circumstances are required for a vision to become reality. This photo of sunset from the snowy alpine zone below the summit of Mount Marcy falls squarely into the latter category, as I had been wanting to make this image for the past three winters before everything came together in early March 2020. After the Adirondacks got covered in 3 feet of snow from possibly the last snow storm of the season, I set off from the Adirondack Loj hopeful that I would finally be able to make the images that I had long sought. The trail conditions were fantastic, as other hikers and skiers had thankfully packed the powder down the previous day. As I gradually crept closer to the summit, my excitement grew as I realized that I’d finally have a chance to capture the photo that I sought for so long. I arrived at the summit area later than I had hoped, as I stopped often en route to the summit to photograph the snowy paradise that I hiked through. The quiet serenity of the forest was abruptly replaced by the howling winds of the alpine zone, and I searched out some compositions while struggling to stay warm. As the sun went down and the landscape was bathed in soft light, the beauty of the scene and the fact that I was capturing the photos that I had sought for so long made me forget about the cold and wind and the long hike out in the darkness. As the sky began to darken and I packed up for the journey down the mountain, I took one last look towards the summit of Marcy, and it dawned on me that in that moment, I was the highest person in the state. In elevation, as well as spirit. Adirondack High Peaks, New York. Prints available.
To the Heavens
There’s nothing like exploring the High Peaks after a snowstorm. After photographing the sunset from just below the summit of Marcy (including the previous photo in this post, Above All Else), descending into the sanctuary of the forest was a welcome escape from the hostile, wind-raked alpine zone. Soft moonlight illuminated the snowy evergreens with delicate light, and my descent of the mountain took much longer than it should have as I stopped often to attempt to capture the beauty. I passed this stand of evergreens on my way to the summit earlier in the day, and immediately became enraptured by the large tree on the left of this photo, as I had never before seen a tree caked with so much snow. The light from the moon was just strong enough to illuminate the snowy trees, and a slight halo in the thin fog around the moon added a final touch of etherealness. Knowing that I was the only person still out on the mountain made this moment all the more special, and helped to make the experience one of the most memorable ones I’ve had in these mountains.
On a much sadder note, a few days after returning home from this trip, I heard the news that a 21 year old hiker, Andrew Nichols, had tragically passed away while hiking Dix Mountain (in the southern High Peaks, not too far from Marcy) on the same night that I was on Marcy. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I had actually driven right by the Dix trailhead, which was filled with the flashing lights of rescue and ranger vehicles, while on my way home. While I had never met Andrew, the fact that he passed away while doing what we both loved, while we were both out doing it on this night, hit me hard. The title of this photo is inspired by these events, and I’d like to think that the halo around the moon was his spirit, making one final ascent, to the heavens.
Fourth of July fireworks and the full “Buck Moon” light up the sky and reflect in the calm waters of Great Sacandaga Lake. I was pleasantly surprised with how this shot came out, especially since I had been enjoying some celebratory beverages throughout the day. Adirondack Park, New York. Prints available.
Morningtide
One of the best things about becoming a canoe owner in 2020? Still being able to explore the wilderness after I busted up my ankle in August. A morning paddle took me out to a rocky little island in the middle of a calm pond, where I thankfully was able to hobble around enough to find this little clutch of grass and flowers nestled in the rocks, with my canoe beached in the distance. Adirondack Park, New York. Prints available.
High on Life
Camping on our own private island on an unseasonably warm autumn day during peak foliage instantly became our all-time favorite camping trip. Indian Lake Islands, Adirondacks. Prints available.
The Scenic Route
Spectacular fall foliage blankets the mountainsides surrounding Indian Lake. The many incredible paddling and hiking options at Indian Lake quickly made this one of our favorite areas of the Adirondacks. Prints available.
An Autumn Haunting
Two small islands appear through thick fog and reflect in a still lake on a late-fall morning. Even after the colorful leaves of autumn drop and fade, there’s still much beauty to be seen and photographed in the wilderness. Adirondack Mountains, New York. Prints available.
Reminiscing
One of my favorite parts of camping with my dad is chatting by the fire, often with a martini in hand, after an exciting day in the woods. While any topic of conversation is enjoyable, some of the most entertaining and memorable stories have been tales from my dad’s youth working as a park ranger at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, NY. Green Lake and its neighbor, Round Lake, are both meromictic lakes, which means that their surface and bottom waters don’t mix like most lakes do in the fall and spring. The fact that there are only about 20 meromictic lakes in North America makes Green Lake special, and its made even more unique by the fact that it possesses an incredible blue-green color that seems out of place in Upstate NY and more likely to be found in the tropics. This color comes from the high presence of minerals in the water that seeps through the surrounding bedrock and into the lake. Similar to the turquoise-colored glacial lakes that can be found in the Canadian Rockies and other parts of the world, Green Lake shimmers in otherworldly hues when sunlight hits the water. Green Lakes State Park, New York. Prints available.
BONUS PHOTO – Honor Flight
Although I only planned on including 12 photos in my year-end review, I captured the above photo this past weekend after I had already written the majority of this post. This photo is incredibly dear to my heart, and I’ll detail just how much it means to me below:
It started back in September, while out for a glorious autumn paddle on Indian Lake. All day I’d been thinking about my grandfather, or “Papa” as we affectionately called him, who had passed away in December. A master carpenter, WWII veteran, avid fisherman, loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, he was and always will be my hero. Some of my favorite memories are of the days we would spend every August fishing in the Thousand Islands with Papa, and the beautiful scenery and island-studded nature of Indian Lake had been bringing back all sorts of recollections of precious moments that we had shared. As we slowly glided into a calm cove, I mentioned to my wife how this place made me think of Papa, and on cue, as if it had been sent straight from Heaven, we noticed a large bird soaring overhead, coming towards us. “I wish that was a bald eagle,” my wife, Amanda, remarked. “Gosh I know, wouldn’t that be cool?” I replied. As the bird crept closer and closer and began to take shape, though, it became clear that this actually was a bald eagle. We both sat there dumbfounded with our mouths wide open as we watched this magnificent creature circle above us before continuing along, on a fishing trip or perhaps just out for an afternoon joyride, much like we were. Once the shock passed, my wife turned to me and exclaimed “that was Papa coming to say hi!” It seemed very fitting, and made my heart swell with emotion. Bald eagles are prolific fishers and symbols of patriotism, just like Papa.
Fast-forward a few months to December, as the one year anniversary of Papa passing away is drawing near. While up to this point we had never seen a bald eagle in the area where we live, in the week leading up to the anniversary, we saw not one but two bald eagles while running errands around town. As if this wasn’t enough of a sign, we experienced one of the most surreal moments of our lives the morning after the one year anniversary. We were driving back home after a sunrise snowshoe, and were waiting for traffic to pass so we could turn into our apartment. Just as we were about to turn, we saw a large bird flying straight down Route 146, right towards us. “What is that?” my wife said, with a sort of hopeful excitement in her voice that really said “that couldn’t be a bald eagle, could it?” But it was a bald eagle, flying down the busiest road in Clifton Park, right at us. As if this wasn’t freaky enough, we watched the eagle soar across the street before landing in a tree that was right next to Peregrine Senior Living Center, and Papa had spent his final years at a Peregrine in Syracuse. Ever the expert driver, Amanda quickly did a U-turn to park in a church parking lot, across the street from the tree the eagle had landed in. Before heading out for our morning snowshoe, I had decided at the last minute to bring my camera with me in case it was a nice sunrise. As we sat there in our parked car, staring at the eagle as cars unwittingly drove right by it, I knew that I had to get a photo to capture this moment. I was fortunate to get a couple shots off before the eagle took off, and will be forever thankful that “Papa” had the patience (much like on all those hot, fishless days on the River) to stay long enough for me to get some photos of him.
When it was all said and done, my wife and I just stared at each other, speechless, trying to wrap our heads around what had just happened. The chill that I felt run down my neck and spine was a feeling that I had only felt a few times before in my life. I knew, without a shred of doubt in my soul, that the bald eagle we saw was Papa. Coming to say hi. To tell us that he loves us, that he misses us. That while he might no longer be on this earth as we once knew him, he will always be here, watching over us.
Nothing lasts forever, and peak fall color is no exception. Every year it seems that just as quickly as the dog days of summer transitioned to crisp and foggy fall mornings, the once vibrant colors of fall have faded and the trees are left solemnly standing bare, ready to face another long and cold winter. Fall color can be as unpredictable as it is fleeting, and even when planning months in advance and booking that perfect campsite or cabin during what is supposed to be peak color, oftentimes autumn throws us a curveball and decides to peak early, which has happened throughout much of the Northeast this year. While it’s difficult to not feel at least a twinge of disappoint when fall has passed its peak, there are still a bounty of picturesque wonders to be found in the late-autumn forest.
Treasures of the Forest:Freshly fallen maple leaves rest on a piece of birch bark in the Adirondack Mountains. Prints available.
Fallen leaves can be just as colorful and pretty on the ground as they were on the branches from which they came, especially after a strong wind has blown them from the trees before their color began to dull. Different trees tend to lose their leaves at different times, and strolling down a trail littered with fallen maple leaves while the beeches and oaks still retain their golden leaves is a joy to the senses. Fallen leaves make for interesting photographs, and are perfect for abstract and macro shots. Leaves covered in dew or raindrops are a particularly interesting late-autumn photography subject, and can make for truly unique images that stand out from the crowd. This is a great time to utilize a macro lens to create frame-filling shots of colorful fallen leaves, revealing an incredibly intricate world of textures and shapes that often go unnoticed.
Sun Drops: Sunshine brings out the intricate details of raindrops on freshly fallen autumn leaves. Prints available.
Another way to appreciate fallen leaves and use them for creative photos is to seek out eddies in creeks or small rivers where fallen leaves have gathered. These nooks in the shore often cause the water to slowly move in a swirling circular motion that’s difficult to perceive with the naked eye, but can be revealed in a photo by using a multi-second exposure. Depending on how bright it is out, a natural density filter, which reduces the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor, may be necessary to facilitate an exposure that’s long enough to capture a pleasing swirling motion. This type of photography is fun and dynamic, as no two photos are the same. Experiment with different shutter speeds and try tossing a handful of leaves from the nearby ground into the water to see how the number of leaves can drastically alter the photo outcome.
Relativity: The motion of fallen leaves swirling in the eddy of a creek was revealed using a multi-second exposure. Even after fall colors are past peak, as the leaves begin to drop new opportunities for photography are created. Prints available.
Bare trees that have bid adieu to their leaves until the spring also make for an intriguing photography subject. These trees are interesting in their own right as a standalone subject when isolated from the grand landscape with a telephoto lens, especially when a thick veil of morning fog obscures the background and simplifies the landscape. Mountainsides with trees that still have colorful leaves and some that are bare make for a thought-provoking contrast in color and form, and on a deeper level can make one think about the fragility and ephemerality of life. Forests and mountainsides on the edge of open meadows are great places to view and photograph this contrast of life and death, especially at sunrise or sunset when colorful clouds fill the sky.
An Autumn Haunting: Two small islands appear through thick fog and reflect in a still lake on a late-fall morning. Prints available.
Just because the majority of leaves have fallen and autumn is well past its peak, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t still beauty to be found in the fall forest. So the next time you look at a foliage report and see that colors are past peak, don’t hesitate to still get out and discover the splendor that the late-autumn season has to offer, likely in much more solitude than during peak color.
Bare it All: Bare trees and late autumn color on a mountainside at sunset in the Adirondack Mountains. Prints available.
With fall foliage that rivals New England, a unique topography reminiscent of the Alaskan and Canadian tundra, and a bevy of wilderness areas flush with epic views but lacking crowds and complex permit systems, the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia possess some of the finest fall backpacking trips in America. From a quick and easy overnight to a multiday odyssey far from official trails, this article will go over four of the best backpacking trips that can be found in this part of Appalachia, each of which showcases the many reasons why “Wild, Wonderful West Virginia” should be at the top of your fall backpacking bucket list.
Table Rock
For an easy introduction to what fall backpacking in the Potomac Highlands is all about, head to the Canaan Mountain Backcountry Area and tackle the 2.4 mile roundtrip trek to Table Rock. With a short distance, minimal elevation gain, and astonishing views, Table Rock might be the best bang-for-the-buck hike in the entire state. Even better, this trail receives surprisingly light hiking pressure since the majority of backpackers head to the nearby Dolly Sods Wilderness. From the small trailhead parking lot on Canaan Loop Road, take the Table Rock Trail through a pretty forest of hardwoods that will be bursting with color in late September and early October. After 1.2 mostly flat miles, break out of the forest onto appropriately named Table Rock, and behold a 180-degree view of mountains and the Cheat River Valley. Ne mindful of crevasses in the rock as you explore, and then set up camp at a protected campsite back in the woods that was passed just before reaching the overlook. Or, if the weather is clear and calm, consider sleeping under the stars out on Table Rock. Wherever you decide to camp, be sure to pack in all the water you’ll need, as there isn’t a water source on this trip. Rise early the next morning to have your coffee while watching the sunrise illuminate the fog-filled valley and colorful autumn foliage before making the return trip to the car.
Autumn in Appalachia: An incredible early autumn sunrise from one of my favorite spots in West Virginia, Table Rock. One of the many reasons that I love backcountry camping so much is that it allows me to roll out of my tent and walk just a few feet to witness and photograph scenes like this. Prints available.
Total distance: 2.4 miles
Recommended trip length: 1-2 nights
Getting there: from the town of Davis (a delightful mountain town worth a visit before or after your hike), head south on WV 32 for 3.3 miles, then turn right on Canaan Loop Road. Continue for 10 miles before reaching the trailhead on the left. Note: while Canaan Loop Road is a well-maintained gravel road when approached from WV 32, it quickly deteriorates into a rugged 4×4 road shortly after the Table Rock trailhead. Google Maps trailhead pin.
Dolly Sods Wilderness
Dolly Sods Wilderness is one of the most popular and well-known wilderness areas in West Virginia, and for good reason. With a vast network of trails, a bounty of campsites and several overlooks that provide panoramic views of nothing but seemingly endless wilderness, there are countless routes in Dolly Sods that are perfect for a fall backpacking trip. Since Dolly Sods is a designated Wilderness, be prepared for minimal or no trail markings and to ford creek crossings, all of which helps to preserve a true wilderness feel as much as possible. For a lollipop loop that showcases the best of Dolly Sods, take the Rohrbaugh Plains Trail north from the Dolly Sods Picnic Area on Forest Service Road 19. In 2.5 miles, the first great views of the trip can be had from a rocky outcrop just off the trail. This overlook on the edge of Red Creek Canyon provides some of the best views in Dolly Sods, with Red Creek Valley below framed by Breathed Mountain and Rohrbaugh Plains. While only 2.5 miles from the trailhead, the view from here is so astounding that it’s worth spending a night at one of the campsites dispersed in the woods near the overlook. Sunsets from here are incredible, and on cool fall mornings fog often fills the valley below, making for truly dreamy photo conditions.
Perspective: Beams of light break through dramatic clouds shortly before sunset, as a lone hiker takes in the view from a rocky perch high above Red Creek. Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia.
After breaking camp, continue on the Rohrbaugh Plains Trail and pass the Wildlife Trail on the right at 3.1 miles. Continue straight and drop down into Red Creek Canyon and cross Fisher Spring Run at 3.4 miles. Follow Fisher Spring Run Trail down to Red Creek, and pick up the Red Creek Trail to begin a 10 mile counterclockwise loop. Reach Rocky Point Trail on the left at 4.4 miles, which makes for a great side trip (~2 miles roundtrip) up to Lions Head, a rocky overlook that provides one of the best views in Dolly Sods, and possible campsites nearby. Continuing north from the junction with Rocky Point Trail on the Red Creek Trail, reach the Breathed Mountain Trail at 6.0 miles. This trip takes you left down the Breathed Mountain Trail, but one could also continue straight down the Red Creek Trail to arrive at a fantastic and popular camping area near some waterfalls on Red Creek called “The Forks.” Back at the junction with the Breathed Mountain Trail, take this trail west for 2.4 miles and travel through a beautiful forest of spruce and blueberry bogs. This combination of forest flora is more commonly found in the boreal forests of Canada than the Appalachian Mountains, and is especially beautiful in autumn when the berry bushes turn bright red and are a perfect contrast to the dark green spruce forests. Arrive at the Big Stonecoal Trail at 8.5 miles and turn left to head south down this trail for 2.4 miles before arriving at a trail junction with the Dunkenbarger Trail. Excellent campsites along Big Stonecoal Run can be found here. Continuing south on Big Stonecoal Trail, the western end of the Rocky Point Trail to Lions Head is passed on the left at 11.6 miles, and in 1.4 more miles ford Red Creek and arrive back at Red Creek Trail at 13.0 miles. The banks of Red Creek possess several wonderful campsites, and Red Creek (named for the reddish-brown tint of the water caused by a high tannins concentration from decomposing red spruce and hemlock needles) is perfect for cooling tired feet after a long day on the trail. Continue heading northeast along the Red Creek Trail for 1.5 miles before hitting the intersection with Fisher Spring Run Trail, at which point you’ll be retracing your steps from the start of the trip back to the parking lot.
Total distance: 19.4 miles (~21.5 miles with side-trips to Lions Head and The Forks)
Recommended trip length: 3+ nights
Getting there: from the town of Petersburg, head south on WV 28 for 8.5 miles, then turn right on Jordan Run Road (CR 28/7). Continue for 1 mile before turning left on Forest Service Road 19 (FS 19). Take FS 19 7.2 miles to the parking lot at Dolly Sods Picnic Area. Google Maps trailhead pin.
North Fork Mountain
For fans of ridge hikes with near constant views, it doesn’t get any better than an autumn trek along North Fork Mountain. The full length of the ridge hike is just under 25 miles in total from end to end and makes a great shuttle hike if a car can be dropped at both trailheads (it’s about a 40 minute drive one-way between the north and south trailheads). It’s also possible to break this up into smaller shuttle sections, especially if starting from the northern trailhead. From the northern trailhead on CR 28 (Smoke Hole Rd.), ascend switchbacks for 1.6 miles to gain the ridge. Once up on the ridge, views and campsites abound, and there is minimal elevation change. Hike south and take a short side trail on the right that leads to Chimney Top, which provides a spectacular view of distant mountains and autumn foliage peppering the pastoral countryside far below. Countless other vistas await further down the trail, as the ridge never strays far from a clear view. Three quarters of a mile further south, pass another fine vista, Table Rock (not the same Table Rock as the one previously discussed at the start of this article). If short on time or energy, this makes for a great stopping point, and several nice campsites can be found dispersed in the forest not far from the trail that provide easy access to sunset views from the ridge. From Table Rock, the trail ambles south and passes two spur trails that descend east off the ridge: Landis Trail and Redman Run Trail, reached 4.1 and 8.2 miles from the north trailhead, respectively. Taking either of these trails would provide a shorter shuttle hike alternative.
The main disadvantage of being up on the ridge is the scarcity of water. Save for a semi-reliable spring that’s passed halfway through the trail, there’s no water sources up on the ridge, and it’s thus best to pack in enough water to last the length of the trip in case the spring is dry.
The views continue on the southern portion of the trail, with so many overlooks that they don’t even have names. While the north half of the trail is more interesting, the southern half is still beautiful, and completing the full length of the trail is a rewarding and recommended experience.
Total distance: 24.7 miles for full shuttle
Recommended trip length: 2-3 nights
Getting there: North trailhead: from the town of Cabins, head west on North Fork Highway (WV 28) for 1.8 miles. Turn left on Smoke Hole Road (CR28/11) for 0.4 miles until reaching the parking lot on the right. South trailhead: from the north trailhead, head back to WV28 and turn left. Head south for 26 miles, turn left onto Mountaineer Drive (US 33-E) and arrive at the trailhead parking lot on the left in 4.7 miles. Google Maps trailhead pins: North, South.
Roaring Plains
For the seasoned backpacker looking for a trip that’s as challenging as it is scenic, there’s no better destination in the Potomac Highlands than a part off-trail wilderness sojourn in the Roaring Plains West Wilderness. Backpackers with the necessary skills are rewarded with some of the most incomparable solitude, views, and campsites to be found not only in West Virginia, but the entire East Coast. Given the largely off-trail nature of this route, it’s wise to budget extra time in case you get turned around, and to pack a map and compass and know how to use them. A GPS could also be incredibly useful for this trip.
There are several possible routes that can be taken into the Roaring Plains, with the eastern fork of the South Prong Trail (which begins just a half mile down FS 19 from the start of the aforementioned Dolly Sods Wilderness trip) offering a pleasant, relatively flat portal to the rugged terrain that lies ahead. After heading south for approximately 2.5 miles on the oftentimes wet and muddy South Prong Trail, the real fun begins. Look for an unofficial trail on the left, not marked with a trail sign but often marked with a cairn, which heads in a southwest direction through the forest. Take it slow, keeping an eye on your compass and be on the lookout for more cairns marking the way along the faint trail, known as the “Hidden Passage.” After almost a mile of picking your way through the forest, break out into an open meadow with expansive views. Soon after arriving at the meadow, the trail passes one of the finest campsites imaginable, nestled in the flame-red berry bushes and with the kind of expansive, open views that are hard to come by when backcountry camping in the East. This area makes a great basecamp option to do day hikes from, with the top hiking option being an off-trail journey along the rim of Long Run Canyon.
The One That Started it All: A beautiful autumn sunrise at one of my all-time favorite campsites, in the meadows of West Virginia’s Roaring Plains West Wilderness. Some of the best backpacking, views, and campsites in the East can be found here.
To get Long Run Canyon from the meadows campsite, follow a faint, unmarked trail for about 0.7 miles through the open meadows, until reaching the Pipeline Swath (essentially an old dirt road). A small trickling creek located at this junction is one of the only water sources if camping at the meadows and for the duration of the loop along Long Run Canyon, so top off water bottles here and be sure to treat the water. Take a left to head southeast on the Pipeline for about 0.3 miles until arriving at the remains of an old road, where the real adventure begins. Turning right, dive into the bush and head in a west-northwest direction to reach the rim of Long Run Canyon. Scan for a faint path possibly marked with cairns or flagging, and budget extra time for this section of the hike, as it’s the sketchiest part from a navigation standpoint. Once you arrive at the canyon rim, the trail is much easier to follow. When in doubt, ensure that the canyon is on your left. The next 2.5 miles are some of finest hiking miles imaginable, with almost constant views out across the canyon into the vast West Virginia wilderness. Heath thickets, spruce, and rocky outcroppings combine to form an incredibly beautiful and unique landscape unlike anything else in the East. While there is minimal elevation change on this section of the hike, since this is an unmaintained trail, there will almost certainly be downed trees to navigate around. While base-camping at the meadows will make the hike along the canyon rim easier, for the hardy backpacker there are several options for camping along the canyon rim. Although water is hard to come by along the canyon, the views and solitude more than make up for the extra effort of hauling in water (if camping on the rim, fill up on water either at the Pipeline creek or at a crossing of Red Creek that’s about 0.6 miles into the hike along the canyon after leaving the pipeline). Some of the best campsites are just past possibly the finest view of the day, at a spot called “The Point,” reached 1.5 miles into the hike along the canyon rim. From The Point, head northwest and in one mile arrive at a large campsite with a fire ring. On the north side of the campsite, look for a cairn and the start of your journey away from the canyon rim on the Tee-Pee “trail.” Another unofficial trail that can be a pain to follow, it’s best to set a northeast compass bearing and do your best to follow the faint boot path while sticking to the compass bearing. A half-mile bushwhack will lead to the Roaring Plains Trail, which is an official Forest Service trail. Turn right (east) onto the Roaring Plains trail, and in 0.9 miles again reach the Pipeline Swath. Turn right onto the Pipeline, and head southwest for one mile before arriving back at the base of the meadows, where you’ll turn left and retrace your steps from earlier in the day to return to basecamp in the meadows, having completed one of the most rugged and beautiful fall hikes imaginable.
Total distance: ~14 miles
Recommended trip length: 2-3 nights or more to budget for potential bad weather and for increased photography opportunities.
Getting there: From the town of Petersburg, head south on WV 28 for 8.5 miles, then turn right on Jordan Run Road (CR 28/7). Continue for 1 mile before turning left on FS 19. Take FS 19 6.0 miles then bear left at the intersection with FS 75 to continue on FS 19 for 1 mile to the parking lot for upper South Prong Trail on the left. Google Maps trailhead pin.
Joey Priola Wilderness Photography 