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EDIT 9-13-10: After hiking Kachina Trail with Jake yesterday, we determined the original planned photographing spot isn't very good in the evening... Nearby ridges block the best of the evening light. So, the new, tentative plan is Hart Prairie Saturday evening. After shooting through sunset there, we'll hop on fr522 off Snowbowl road and find a place to car camp near Freidlen Prairie. Sunday morning we'll wake up bright and early (more like dark and early) and hike no more than 2 miles on the Kachina Trail to find some aspens and meadows. Plans still subject to change, of course, as we do more scouting.

Hey HAZ photographers!

Jake (hippiepunkpirate), Jon (jonnybackpack) and I are putting together an autumn photography workshop/group hike/camping trip at the Peaks, October 9th and 10th.

The plan, as of now, is to meet up late morning on Saturday, October 9th, and drive to the Freidlein Prairie trailhead. Hike the lower portion of the Kachina Trail and photograph the beautiful Kachina meadows in the evening. Car-camp somewhere nearby Saturday night, wake up pre-sunrise Sunday morning and head to Lockett Meadow. Photograph the Lockett Meadow area for sunrise, then head into the Inner Basin to capture the rest of the morning light.

Although this is obviously organized like a normal group hike, the focus will be on photography. Bring a camera and tripod! We'll be visiting prime locations during the best light, so there should be plenty of opportunity for some awesome photos... Not to mention the sharing of knowledge from fellow photographers ;)

I hope some of you are interested!

From town today it didn't look like there was a lot of color, if any in the aspens on the Peaks. Maybe tonight's freeze will change that. It looks like the event may be a week early, judging by the south slope.

Jim_H wrote:From town today it didn't look like there was a lot of color, if any in the aspens on the Peaks. Maybe tonight's freeze will change that. It looks like the event may be a week early, judging by the south slope.

Shush ;)

I dunno... it might be a little bit early, but there's color out there:
http://www.hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=158275

From the sounds of it...Joel drove everywhere he could to find suitable shots today. It was patchy but, as Jim said, with two nights of freezing temps at least it cant get worse. Its always a challenge in AZ, thats why this fits right in as a standard photo shoot in this state(again staying positive). That warm September kept that whole darn photosynthesis thing rolling, but at least Jim H was happy with those warm temps! ;)

I think I'll plan to climb at the Peaka on Sunday when we are through, if anyone is interested. I will bring extra stuff. I plan to drove from PHX early sat am, whe will we meet at the trailhead? I will check this or my email is Janelliebean13@hotmail.com

*The Peaks

Can you tell me exactly where and when you are planning on meeting on Saturday?

Thanks,
Stacey

Me too.

Sorry guys...Safeway in University Plaza on Plaza Way in Flag. Joel didn't give a definite time, so I'm going to say 1PM. I'll send out PM's with my phone number later! I can't get ahold of Joel, but plans for Sunday morning might be changing due to an absolute lack of color on Kachina. I'll have more once Joel turns his phone back on.

I've got room for an extra person or two. Heading up from tempe at 10-ish ... to arrive at 1pm.

I'll be camping overnight, and probably want to nap/hike sunday before heading home later in the afternoon.

PM me if you want to set up a carpool.

Attention
Okay - edited itinerary for Sunday morning....we will not be shooting the Kachina meadows at sunrise! The best fall colors seem to be on the north side of the Peaks so we are planning on an Abineau/Bear Jaw loop hike, which should have the best color on the mountain right now. Those canyons don't really catch great sunrise light, so we don't have to get up so early. Being that I don't have to drive anywhere Sunday evening, I may stay for another sunset shoot at Hart Prairie.

I expect you mean to climb some part of the 2.5 miles up the Bear Jaw trail, as Abineau doesn't have a whole lot of Aspen. There's also quite a few nice thick groves along the first mile or so of the Waterline Road going back west toward the top of Abineau if the extra mileage is in the cards.

Still hoping to be able to make this one...

chumley wrote:I expect you mean to climb some part of the 2.5 miles up the Bear Jaw trail, as Abineau doesn't have a whole lot of Aspen. There's also quite a few nice thick groves along the first mile or so of the Waterline Road going back west toward the top of Abineau if the extra mileage is in the cards.

I was thinking the whole loop. Abineau has some nice tall aspens to shoot up at, and the avalanche section is cool. We can play it by ear, I'll probably end up doing the whole thing regardless.

Oh and it is the Safeway at University Square on Plaza Way. I had it wrong in the post above, but I'll edit it.

well, you guys living up there sure had an epic weather event.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/News/06Oct2 ... t2010.html
glad it will be quiet for us! If all I have to worry about is cold...no problem!

As far as tents, I have that covered (in case anyone wanted to sleep in one or doesn't have one)...when we get to Safeway we can talk about food and other needs.
( I am going to make some really really good chili for all:D )

Anyone one the fence about this one, I think it is going to be an awesome time....You will def pick up some great photography tips (I've learned a TON from Jake and Joel) and also meet some awesome ppl along the way. These guys are great at turning average scenes into stellar compositions, which is priceless knowledge for anyone with any sort of photographic passion.

I will try to be there; if I don't make the Safeway will look for ya'll around Hart Prairie someplace.

Jake: Tibber, Cindyl and I are going to hike the Kachina Trail Saturday morning. Can we meet you at the bottom of SnowBowl Road on the way to Hart Prairie? I drive a white GMC pickup and Tibber will be in a white Mazda Tribute.

RedRoxx44 wrote:I will try to be there; if I don't make the Safeway will look for ya'll around Hart Prairie someplace.

Same for me.

For the record, I'm in a navy 4-door Tacoma with a license plate you'll recognize.