Enchanted Rock SNA

[venchka]

I just made reservations next door for our anniversary next month.

I'll take all my gear. Correction, I can't carry everything. Suffice to say I will be well equipped.

I can be in the park from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning. I figure sunrise & sunset are the best times to be there. I'll check out the crowd or lack of crowd on Sunday afternoon. I'm not optimistic about lack of crowd on Sunday. No worries. I can be there two mornings and Monday evening.

Anything I should know? Personal knowledge wins in my book. Bring it on!

[jeffkohn]

I've only been there once. Good photo ops on the way up as well as from the top (weather/lighting conditions obviously have an impact on just how good). I was there in the afternoon/evening. The park was gated and doesn't open until after sunrise; I was told the only way to be in the park for sunrise was to camp there (we were staying in Fredericksburg).

There are other trails in the area besides going up Enchanted Rock, but we didn't have time to explore. I'd like to get back there when I can spend a little more time.

[venchka]

Thanks Jeff.

I'm already thinking in terms of a winter/off season/no crowds camping trip. I'll treat this excursion as a scouting trip.

[J Eddington]

It's a big rock. Even with crowds you should be able to get great shots.

[venchka]

Grinning. Go for close ups if the crowds are overwhelming.

If it is crowded, there is the major grin factor of setting up the big view camera and have to answer the inevitable question:

"Nice camera. Is that a Hasselblad?"

Who knows? I may even get something to use for the next print exchange!

[jeffkohn]

"Nice camera. Is that a Hasselblad?"

Do they ever ask you 'How many megapixels does that have?'

[venchka]

Not yet. I'm waiting.

[TXhummer2]

Take water with you. It's not too high, but it is very big. By the time you walk to the top, you'll be thirsty.

[venchka]

Thanks! Goes without saying. Along with sunscreen, wide brim hat, UV protecting clothes, etc.

When this started, I hadn't given much thought to actually getting on the rock. I'm beginning to think of ideas for "on the rock" photos.

[TXhummer2]

(I have Ektachrome slides from the last time I was "on the rock".)

[KJ Smith]

I am kinda jealous, I like Fredericksburg and love German food/ Beer.

Kevin

[venchka]

I have some Fujichrome for this expedition.

Kevin, any ideas for places to eat in Fredericksburg?

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by venchka

Kevin, any ideas for places to eat in Fredericksburg?

Yea, All of them...

Its been a long time since I have been there. Hopefully someone will come along with more recent knowledge.

Kevin

[venchka]

We went.

We saw.

We climbed!

Totally fabulously awesomely AWESOME!

The last springtime cool front went through about the time we arrived Sunday afternoon. The weather was fantastic. Cool & dry. The best!

Lisa & I made it to the top of the Rock. What a great way to celebrate an anniversary. I lugged the 4x5 camera up and down taking pictures the whole way.

For those of you who have never been, GO! For those of you who haven't seen the top of the rock...without giving away the surprise just yet, all I can say is: Close up equipment is very useful!

[L Stegall]

Congrats - on the anniversary and the climb. My one and only time to climb it was part of a required geology field trip held early in the morning following a big sorority formal back in college. When the drinking age was 18. Need I say more? The prof admitted later he scheduled it that way on purpose every year. Needless to say, we were not having fun.