Clifty Hike

[cwhiker]

Yesterday, was a great day to be out on the trail. The forest shared many wonders with us through out the day. The Plan for the day was to explore three of the creeks that fed in to Braziel and Clifty.  We started out at the Borden Creek trail head around 8am. The air was still chilly, but the sun was out and we warmed quickly. We cross the Borden creek bridge to take the trail that leads through the campsites(no campers on this side today), to the Braziel/Broden Jct. continuing to follow this trail, We come to the first creek that I want to explore. Walking up this creek, we came upon small little cascades early on. which gave me hope of a bigger waterfall, so we made are way up criss crossing the creek several times. The canyon views were nice along the way. we came upon a small waterfall on a feeder stream. I could hear water falling around the bend, so we pushed on. There was a little waterfall, but due to all the deadfall it wasn't very pretty. Taking a look around the terrain seeing that things were starting to level out, We turned around and walked back down. Getting back on the trail we continued along to the second major creek that flows into Clifty(see map). This is a wonderful stream lots of small cascades. leading up to a box canyon with a med sized waterfall. ,however, today was just not my day for shooting waterfalls. The sun was just to bright for the long exposures I like, so I will be back on a cloudier day., We stopped here to eat lunch by one of the waterfall pools. We saw some of the biggest Crawdads I have ever seen in one these pools. Seeing that it was getting late we packed up and headed back down. Along the way, we explored the creek that fed into it there were some nice cascades and the Dwarf Iris is just all over here I had to watch my step to keep from crushing some. We made our way back to main trail getting back to the car around 6pm. I will posting pictures soon

[Nalgene Ninja]

How were the skeeters? I'd like to try an overnighter there soon but worry that the mosquitos would be awful.

[cwhiker]

I didn't have any problems with them. I made sure to have some OFF on,but even with the OFF the ticks were a pain.

[toph]

How big were the 2 campsites in terms of the # of tent capacity?

[Joshua Szulecki]

flemdawg,

We were in the area of Braziel Creek on Friday, and while I did see mosquitos, they weren't awful except for at the confluence of Braziel and Clifty, where I did get bit some. Much worse by Capsey Creek, but we were there pretty late, and at Braziel mid-day, so at night they might be worse. The mosquitos ARE getting bad up there, and this year will probably be a bitey one.

cwhiker,

Yeah, I'm having the same problem with the waterfalls, and I think so was Jay. It has simply been too sunny for my taste. I've been able to compensate in a few locations by shooting with both a C-PL and an 8x ND filter stacked, AND underexposing and then doing a tone curve assist in DPP. Still blows the highlights, but at least I can get a shot that I like, sometimes. Of course, I could solve that problem by shooting earlier or later in the day, but that isn't really an option without camping for many of these waterfalls, and as I've mentioned, I don't really love camping all that much.

[cwhiker]

How big were the 2 campsites in terms of the # of tent capacity?

The first campsite you can get two maybe three ( two person tents). The Second is much larger but the ground is not very level and has one or two spots for those of you who are not ground sleepers, If you don't like to sleep to the sound of rushing water don't stay at the second its right above a good sized cascade. both have easy access to water there is a third campsite just past the second one but you have to cross the creek. which I didn't do but from the trail it looks to be about the same size as the first one. the first two were stocked with fire wood, but didn't look as if they had been used lately. With any luck I will get to go camping in the next few weeks. would have gone this last weekend but my husband had to study for finals and this weekend I have to go visit the inlaws.

[cwhiker]

cwhiker,

Yeah, I'm having the same problem with the waterfalls, and I think so was Jay. It has simply been too sunny for my taste. I've been able to compensate in a few locations by shooting with both a C-PL and an 8x ND filter stacked, AND underexposing and then doing a tone curve assist in DPP. Still blows the highlights, but at least I can get a shot that I like, sometimes. Of course, I could solve that problem by shooting earlier or later in the day, but that isn't really an option without camping for many of these waterfalls, and as I've mentioned, I don't really love camping all that much.

Photographers are most likely the only people who truly wish for at least partly cloudy skies while the rest of the world wants clear and sunny.what brand ND filter are you using? right now I carry three ND with me a 3,6,and 9. I also use a Gradient ND and a C-PL. which I stack as needed.

Oh by the way I did notice the very poor trail clearing you talked about thanks for the warning I liked to stabbed myself once or twice. who ever did it didn't go past the Clifty/Braziel JCT. it looked to me like they just went a long and picked a tree at random.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Cwhiker,

We were worried we'd be inpaled by all those punji sticks left along the trail, but none of us had the misfortune of being nailed by one. All my injuries are from stickers and stupid.

For my 17-40 I carry a Tiffen 3-stop ND, and a Tiffen C-PL. I haven't purchased a grad-ND for this lens yet, because I'm still debating whether to get a cokin system type filter instead.

[cwhiker]

guys I know your waiting on photos I have been driving back and forth to the Birmingham area for my Real Estate Photography the last two days and by the time I get back here its time to go to my second job. i will try to have them posted by Friday.

[cwhiker]

Alright I have posted some photos from the trip in my gallery for Clifty Creek