West Virginia Mountains, Fall 2025

6 – 9 October 2025

This workshop focuses on one of my favorite fall photo destinations, the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia where I previously have conducted a number of photo workshops in the past. The workshop includes Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls State Park, and other scenic areas nearby.  Because of the high elevation in this region, fall arrives in early October when leaves on the mountainside turn from green to a mix of warm colors.  Beaver, muskrats, bear, and other animals are active and sometimes visible as they gather food and prepare for the winter. It is the perfect time to visit West Virginia.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Subject to change based on conditions at the time, safety, & weather)

Surise – 6:51 , Sunset 5:09 pm

6 Oct (Monday)

Orientation (7:00-8:15 PM) @ Blackwater Falls Lodge, Davis Room.

7 Oct (Tuesday)

Pre-dawn – 10:00 AM: (Canaan Valley – Sunrise, Blackwater River, Deer, Trails)

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Return to lodge, Lunch, Rest, Initial edit of images)

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM (Q&A)

1:00 PM –  Sunset: (Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods)           

8 Oct (Wednesday)

Pre-dawn – 11:00 AM (Pendleton Lake, Blackwater River Overlook, Lindy Point)          

11:00 AM-1:00 PM (Lunch, Initial edit of images)

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Image review)

2:30 PM – Sunset (Blackwater Falls, Davis/Thomas, Canaan Valley NWR, Sunset)

9 Oct (Thursday)

Pre-dawn – 11:00 AM (Roadside view of falls, Blackwater River, Elakala Trail/Falls)

11:00 AM (Check out of hotel, End of Workshop)

Blackwater Falls State Park

Lodging

The workshop package includes 3 nights at Blackwater Falls Lodge in the heart of Blackwater Falls State Park.  The view of the Blackwater Canyon from the back patio is eye-catching with weathered rock faces and colorful hillsides. It is ideally located with easy access to trails, waterfalls, and overlooks of the Blackwater Canyon. (3 nights accommodations in included).

Photo Opportunities

Blackwater Falls State Park is located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.  The centerpiece of the park is Blackwater Falls. After meandering through Canaan Valley the Blackwater River tumbles over boulders and plunges 62 feet into Blackwater Canyon.  Walkways, stairs, and platforms provide a variety of viewpoints from which you can photograph the falls.

Close to the hotel is the trail to Elakala Falls where a series waterfalls from Shays Run descend into the Blackwater Canyon.  A bridge provides a view of the falls from the top.   The descent to the base of the upper falls presents photographers with a unique view but can be a bit difficult to reach safely.  Often I concentrate my efforts on photographing the stream above the falls capturing images of floating leaves, bubbles and foam, and swirling patterns from the water entering circular pools.

A short drive from the lodge is Pendleton Point Overlook with views up and down Blackwater Canyon.  A trail from the parking lot leads to Pendleton Lake where on still days autumn colors from the surrounding trees reflect in the lake’s surface. Often on cool mornings, fog rises from the lake’s surface creating magical scene as it  slowly rises to reveal the surroundings.

My favorite overlook of  Blackwater Canyon is Lindy Point. A narrow road adjacent to the park’s cross-country ski center leads to a  small parking lot and the trail head to the point.  The relativity easy .4 mile trail leads to a wooden platform and rock ledges that provide panoramic views of  the 3000-foot canyon walls.

 

 

 

Canaan Valley State Park

Approximately 7 miles from Blackwater Falls State Park is Canaan Valley State Park.  This 6000-acre property has over 18 miles trails through woods, meadows, marshes and along the slow-moving Blackwater River.  It is home to wildlife including deer, bear, raccoons, beaver, skunks, herons, muskrats, waterfowl and on rare occasions, bobcat.  At 3200 feet above sea level, Canaan Valley is cooler than the surrounding countryside so fall color comes earlier than in the much of the state.  In early October, overnight temperatures can dip below freezing resulting in a delicate coating of frost on grasses, fall flowers, and other vegetation.  

It is rutting season for White-tailed Deer causing them to be more visible than earlier in the year.  Bucks are their most handsome with sharpened antlers and heavy winter coats.   Migrating Canada Geese and other waterfowl are quite vocal and can be spotted as they fly overhead on their way to feed in the wetlands.

If we are lucky, the chair lift concession that is open during skiing season is operating and can take us to Bald Knob Trail for panoramic views of Canaan Valley.

 

Dolly Sods Wilderness

If time permits, we will briefly stop for photos of Seneca Rocks on our way to Dolly Sods located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia. It is part of the Monongahela National Forest with elevations ranging from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet.  The rugged terrain was shaped by logging, fires and the harsh climate. It is home to more than a dozen rare plant and animal species. At the highest elevations, the scene more resembles the arctic rather than West Virginia.  Several gravel roads lead to the top of Dolly’s plateau and connect with a narrow road that follows the ridge-line providing sweeping vistas of distant mountains. As the road climbs higher, the landscape becomes populated by one-sided stunted trees, lichen-covered boulders, sphagnum bogs, heath barrens, and low-growing shrubs.   In early October, the leaves of blueberry and cranberry bushes turn red and glow when backlit by the setting sun.  

At the eastern end of the road is an area referred to as Bear Rocks.  A wall of huge, irregularly shaped boulders rest on the mountain ridge.  From high vantage points on clear days one can see as far as Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

General Info:

This workshop is designed for those with a basic knowledge of the operation of their 35 mm SLR or mirrorless camera with an interest in improving their photographic skills and optimizing the use of their camera.  After Monday evening’s orientation, workshop activities will begin at dawn each day to take advantage of the warm early morning light & heightened animal activity.  Afternoons will be spent in the field photographing until sunset. Mid-days will be reserved for rest, lunch and photo editing. On Wednesday, time will be set aside for reviewing class images. Thursday’s activities will again begin at dawn with the workshop officially ending at 11:00 AM.

PRICE: $1218 (based on double occupancy); $ 1445 (based on single occupancy) 

Preferred payment is by personal check or via Zelle.  Visa and Mastercard payments will be accepted but with a 2 % admin fee.  For security, credit card numbers should be supplied via phone contact and not via e-mail.

DEPOSIT: To reserve your spot in the workshop, 50% of total is due at registration.  FINAL PAYMENT due 06 Sept 2023.  Price includes accommodations for 3 nights at the lodge at Blackwater Falls State Park.  It also includes park fees, the orientation meeting, an instructional PowerPoint presentation, one-on-one assistance in the field, and a critique of images.  I assumes a basic understanding of camera operation and terms such as shutter speed and F-stop.  Info on what to bring to the workshop will be provided at a later date along with health & liability forms.

The class size limited to 6 people for one-on-one instruction.  My focus is on participants, so I do not photograph during the workshop.

The itinerary is subject to change and reflects observations from my pre-workshop scouting trip.  It is flexible and will be altered dependent on the weather conditions, safety issues, availability and location of subjects, and participant interests. Hiking is limited but some areas may be rocky or wet so consider wearing boots with firm ankle support.  You can refrain from activity that you feel is too difficult or dangerous and pursue an alternate activity.  Since temperatures can vary from freezing to the low 70s, plan to dress in layers. Bring rain gear for yourself and photo equipment. Bring breakfast snacks since departures will be at dawn.  A short distance from our hotel, in the town of Davis, there is a grocery store where you can pick up supplies.  Also prior to our early morning departures, you can pick up food at the gas station/convenience store just outside the park entrance.

For more details about Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours, see www.ospreyphoto.com .  If you have any questions or concerns contact Irene Hinke-Sacilotto at isacilotto@aol.com or Office (410) 679-2873 or Mobile (410) 960-5871  

Cancellation Policy

Notifications of cancellation must be in writing.

The following charges apply per person at the time I receive your written notification of cancellation.

• Cancel up to 121 days prior to the beginning of the workshop – full refund.
• 120 to 61 days prior to t, a $35 administrative fee will be charged. 
• 60 to 46 days prior to the beginning of the workshop, 50% of workshop price will be charged.
• 45 days or less prior to departure – NO REFUND

Medical circumstances or emergencies do not constitute grounds for exception to the cancellation policy nor do weather conditions. Therefore, trip cancellation & interruption insurance is HIGHLY recommended. Travelers Insurance Company and others provide such policies at a reasonable rate. In the unlikely event that the trip is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, your money will be refunded in full, with the exception of expenses you personally incurred while preparing for the trip.