5UP GROUP
CREATIVE STUDIO
TraD'n Dreams is part of the 5UP Group. This is our blog about how our lives and dreams have changed throughout the years. We hope you enjoy and follow along and share yours.
Thanks for visiting our blog about the auto tour around the Gettysburg battlefield. We are enjoying this process and hope you are too. This is part three of the series; if you missed the other parts, check them out. Part 1 and Part 2.
In this part, we will cover the area around Little Round Top up to near the Trostle Barn. We hope you are enjoying it, let us know what you think by leaving us a comment and visit our Facebook page. And check out our companion books to this series of posts here.
I love Little Round Top honestly, but since I am here all the time, I avoid it at certain times of the year. I like my pictures without people and haze. That isn't to say I don't go up for sunsets; it is usually during the week. Secret Spot - If you go just past the crest of LRT and are heading down the hill, there is a trail off to your left. It is a bit lower but still a beautiful view, and if you want pictures without people, this is a great spot. Little Round Top is one of the most popular locations on the battlefield. And I believe you need to stop here if you've never been to the battlefield.
The field overview is super, but don't forget to walk around the area a little.
Another popular location on Little Round Top is the 20th Maine area which is on the back side of LRT. The scene below was shot in spring with the red buds blooming. The one below is the flank marker for the 20th Maine.
As you leave LRT, go over the crest and start going down the hill there is a path off to the left. Not a ton down that path but it is a different perspective out on the field. The next two are from down that path. First is a monument to the 155th PA and second is just a lone tree on the path.
Once down LRT the parks auto tour takes you out to the The Wheatfield. But if you can take a trip down to Devils Den (It is a very tight curvy road so be very careful). But Devils Den is a really neat place to visit. If you can get down there, it is an excellent place to wander around. Kids love it, but be careful there are fall hazards. Below are a few photos of Devils Den, the first is a view of Little Round Top from Devils Den.
Check out our full black and white gallery of Devils Den images here.
Devils Den isn't necessarily the best spot for sunsets, certain times of the year is it is pretty good. Like this fairytale shot my wife loves...
This area saw some bloody fighting during the battle. From a photographic point of view, it has its pluses and minuses. Two roads flank it; sometimes, there is a lot of traffic. But there are a few good angles you have to get creative. If you don't go to Devils Den and stay on the parks auto tour (Get a virtual map here) you'll turn onto Ayres ave which brings you along side The Wheatfield the first image here.
Once around the bend from where the above image was taken you get a great view of Little and Big Round Top with Devils Den to the right.
Another popular spot along the auto tour is near what is called The Loop and it is the Irish Brigade Monument.
This location was where the Union line turned and headed toward The Wheatfield and Devils Den. Continuing around from the Wheatfield area we come up to the Peach Orchard learn more here. The area around the Peach Orchard is a popular place for sunsets. From here you have a pretty good view in both direction, toward the Confederate line as well as back toward the Union line. Although there is a section covered by trees it is still a pretty nice spot.
After leaving the Peach Orchard the auto tour takes you by Excelsior field and one of the best and probably the second most popular spots on the battlefield. The monument to the 73rd New York Volunteers Infantry Regiment “Fourth Excelsior” “2nd Fire Zouaves”. This is a great spot to get the sunsets because you can keep the Emmitsburg Road out of the image and get a great big sky! The first is during a summer storm that rolled through and the second is during the Sahara Dust storms that we had in South Central Pa.
Before leaving The Fire Zouaves area turn around and you can see the Trostle Barn. Here is an image of the barn at sunrise.
When you get to the barn there is a dirt path off to the west of the barn that is part of the horse trails around Gettysburg. You can walk these just step aside when the horses come by. Here are a few from down that path.
When you leave the Trostle Barn and Auto Tour Stop 11 just on the other side of the woods is a great view from a distance of the Pennsylvania Monument (the largest on the field). Here is an image captured during a storm, this is a five minute exposure of the storm which is what gives the cloud a unique motion. Check out the full panoramic that was captured during the same storm here. Next time we will pick up the tour at the Pa Monument. I'm hoping you are enjoying this visual tour of the battlefield.
I hope you're enjoying this visual tour and would love to find out what you think. Leave us a message on our Facebook Page. And check out our companion book and get a copy today.
