Alley Spring Mill
Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri · 670 ft
A red frame roller mill stands at the lip of a spring pool that pushes about 81 million gallons a day toward the Jacks Fork. Maple and sycamore close in behind the building, and cloud cover keeps the red siding and the blue-green water from blowing out.
Typical peak
Oct 21 – Oct 29
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Best under flat overcast
Crowds
moderate
Fills up mid-morning. Arriving for first light is usually enough.
Getting there
Park at the Alley Spring day-use area on MO-106 six miles west of Eminence and walk 200 yards to the mill and spring branch.
What turns here
- sugar maple
- american sycamore
- white oak
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 25Typical color progression for Alley Spring Mill. No change from Sep 17 to Oct 4. First color from Oct 4 to Oct 13. Approaching peak from Oct 13 to Oct 21. Peak from Oct 21 to Oct 29. Past peak from Oct 29 to Nov 8. Bare from Nov 8 to Nov 22.
Color starts around Oct 4.
Light at peak
Alley Spring Mill on October 25, the day it typically peaks. Knowing when color arrives is one thing. Knowing where the sun will be is another.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:56 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ESE · 105° | 7:23 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 36 min of low, warm light | 7:59 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:49 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 36 min before sunset | 5:40 PM |
| Sunset Sets WSW · 255° | 6:16 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:43 PM |
Times in America/Chicago · day length 10h 54m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.