Dave, real quick, take it easy going up to Trout Lake and coming down isn't any easier either. We tried to keep up with two of the grandchildren and we thought we would die! As for that Manfrotto head, I mounted an Arca-swiss clamp from RRS onto the Manfrotto plate and it works great. The 504 head comes with the leveling 75mm bowl all attached. If your tripod doesn't have the bowl capability you can go up one head to the N-8 which is a flat mount. I noticed something very interesting today out at the lake after watching the video on the blinkies this morning, I had it turned on but didn't have the viewing screen activated to come on after each shot, I had been just checking the histogram when ever I wanted to check something. Have fun getting ready and I sure hope you won't have to drive!