planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

As an ex-Saluki ('96-'98) I've been there a handful of times but it's been quite a while. I'm considering driving the 2 hrs each way on Saturday (the only forecast to be dry)and spending a good part of the day down there to take pics...question is, which of the multiple trails have the best opportunities for photographically phantastic phenomena?

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

Be interesting in see what you find. Thinking to going down for the eclipse in August. Want a dramatic stone out crop in a landscape with the eclipse.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I might go down in August, too, but knowing my luck it'd be pouring rain.

graphic1 Loc: Carbondale illinois area

I live 15 to 20 miles away and grew up there. the longest trail through the streets of giant city has several photo ops. with bluffs, trees, and woodland vistas. don't forget to climb to the top of fat man's squeeze, a Cleft in the corner of the city steets. many years ago I could get through the big Crack but not so much these days. devils stand table is right off the loop on the main drive. stop at the lodge for maps, lunch, and a climb up the water tower. You may consider a side trip to Fern Cliff State Park south of goreville Illinois , or Garden of the Gods state park south east of harrisburg illinois, alot of bluffs and rock formations. the Shawnee Wine Trail is a nice days adventure covering much scenic land south of carbondale around makanda, alto pass, cobden etc. Near alto is a 100 foot cross that stands on bald knob. there is a sunrise service there this sunday. Google the parks and you will find directions to all.

graphic1 Loc: Carbondale illinois area

as for rock formations that can be included in a south facing shot, garden of the Gods, camel rock from the upper trail comes to mind. these parks are heavily forested on top of and below the formations so careful scouting would be in order. not many outcroppings in the arches national park class. good luck.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of Garden of the Gods going Saturday and Sunday exploring to find a place to set up Monday.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I don't know how much time I'll have to go exploring the other parks and towns in the area. I was just planning on going tomorrow and making a day trip out of it rather than a multi-day camping or motel trip (I'll be camping for a week in July in Oshkosh at the aviation convention). I am on spring break right now through Monday, but with it being Easter weekend I'm not sure what would be available anyways...Saturday is supposed to be the only dry day of the weekend, though. And I don't want to miss our church's Easter service. The senior pastor's sermons are awesome and the music director is a Julliard graduate. I'll Google the parks you mentioned. in my two years at SIU I'd been to Giant City a number of times, but never been to GOTG. Maybe I should go there instead if it's not too much farther - I'm coming from about 15 miles east of STL.

graphic1 Loc: Carbondale illinois area

sounds like an awsome church. the weather is not going to be to good this weekend. garden of the god's is an out 60 mile east of carbondale
roughly 1.5 hours a bit less I think, if you drive like I do. there are better rock formations there. if you go, cave in rock is on the river s.e. of there.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I just checked Goreville on the map and I haven't even eaten breakfast yet...I'm not going to drive that far for a day trip...GOTG will have to do. If I leave after breakfast it'll still be like 9:30 before I even get there. I'll probably hike most of the trails except for the 12-mile one. Weather is supposed to be nice and sunny, but windy (20mph).