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Alvarado Road Falls
(8/07/2007, 50 mm, f/22, ISO 100)
Description
Nothing to write home about on this day, Alvarado Road Falls was in a very
low flow condition and not at all photogenic. Perhaps better in the
Spring, this waterfall's only real draw is a
nearby geocache, one of the eighteen in the
Fallin' for Virginia Waterfalls series.
The picture above, although pretty bad, is actually a composite of two in an
attempt to manage the high contract conditions - about 1:15 in the afternoon.
Also nearby is both the popular Creeper Trail and the
Appalachian Trail.
Outdoor adventure does abound in the area. Between Whitetop and Damascus,
Virginia, the Creeper Trail follows several cascading mountain streams that can
be quite photogenic at times. Whitetop Laurel Falls is accessed via the
Creeper Trail.
Don't let this little waterfall fool ya - the area is absolutely beautiful.
Getting There
Alvarado Road Falls is located on... let's see.... yes, that's right,
Alvarado Road! From Abingdon, VA, take US-58 East to SR-711.
Actually on US-58 there will be a sign that says "To 711". Turn RIGHT on
this road just past a bridge and the road turns into SR-711. Follow this
road for 0.6 miles to the waterfall. Just before the waterfall is a fork
in the road. Bear RIGHT downhill and you'll see the waterfall on your
left. Parking is very limited. There is a small pullout on the right
just before a guardrail or you can turn around and park on the waterfall side
(room for only one vehicle).
Hike Details
Next to road.
Photo Tips
Have you seen my photo? Obviously I can't give you any advice.
Ok, I will anyway.
Don't do anything I did.
Don't get there in the middle of the day, and don't visit in the middle of
Summer or probably in the Fall either.
Follow my "don'ts" and maybe you'll get a better picture than mine.
Good luck.
Video
I'm starting to add digital video now.
The video is hosted by Vimeo instead of the popular Youtube site because video
quality (high compression) on Youtube is lousy. They compress the whiz out of any uploaded video, and waterfall
videos really seem to suffer greatly from it.
