The Deep Creek Blog

First Hikes in MD State Parks

Don't forget the State Park system is sponsoring a day of "First Hikes" on New Years Day. 

Take a First Day Hike in a State Park

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hikes on January 1, 2012.  

Local State Parks will participate in America's State Parks First Day Hike Programs on New Year’s Day 2012. America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a guided hike on January 1, 2012 at a state park.  

Below is a list of opportunities to participate within  Garrett County.  

Deep Creek Lake State Park First Day Hike - First Day on the Lake
Time of Event:  2 p.m.
Hike will last approximately 1 hour.
Meeting Location: Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages
Length of Trail: The length of this hike will depend upon the weather conditions of the day.
Things to Bring: It is recommended that participants bring snowshoes or ice cleats to wear for those types of conditions. Participants should come prepared to be outside for an extended period of time in possibly very cold and windy weather conditions and bring drinking water.
Cancellation Information: Call Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at 301-387-7067.
Additional Information: Take a shoreline walk with a Ranger on the first day of the new year. Walkers will learn about lake surface ice, what happens in the water under the ice during winter, and other tidbits about lakes in winter.

New Germany State Park First Day Hike - Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Time of Event:
1 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour
Meeting Location: Meet at New Germany State Park Lake House
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages.  Minimum age for kids: Age 4
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
Cancellation Information: Call New Germany State Park at 301-895-5453.
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome

Swallow Falls State Park First Day Hike - Realm of the Ice King
Time of Event: 1 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour.
Meeting Location: Meet at the main parking lot.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
Cancellation Information: Call Herrington Manor State Park at 301-334-9180
Additional Information: See the falls in their winter dress. Rangers will discuss what we are doing to help protect this fragile eco-system. Not many people get to see the falls this time of year, so it should be a great treat!

Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River First Day Hike - First Day on the River
Time of Event: 10 a.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at Friendsville access point.  Parking is limited. Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate walk for families of all ages
Length of Trail: The length of this hike will be determined by the weather conditions that day.
Things to Bring: Participants should wear footwear for snow and ice conditions. Participants should come prepared to be outside for an extended period of time in possibly very cold and windy weather conditions and bring drinking water.
Cancellation Information: Call the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at 301-387-7067
Additional Information: Take a riverside walk with a Ranger to celebrate the start of a new year. This walk is on a level path.

 

Grant to Construct Hiking/Biking Trail in Garrett County Announced

U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to Garrett County to construct a hiking/biking trail. The County expects 27,000 people annually to use the trail, which will greatly benefit the area's tourism industry and other local businesses.

ARC funds will be used to construct a 1,100-foot long paved trail between the Visitor Center in McHenry to the Fork Run Trailhead, and enable safe travel for users to access the WISP Resort, the Adventure Sports Center, and visit local businesses along Route 219. The connector trail will also link to the Continental Divide Loop Trail system, a 150-mile, multi-user, multi-surface trail connecting to the Great Allegheny Passage to the north.  The project includes construction of a trailhead kiosk with benches and bike racks.

In addition to ARC funds, the state will provide $23,000, and local sources will provide $27,000, bringing the total project funding to $100,000. The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of the Appalachian region to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. 

Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center Happenings

Visit the Western Garrett State Park Volunteer's web site for a complete listing of Deep Creek Lake State Park events for the rest of the months.  You'll find some great activities and classes, such as tomorrow's "Dare to Cook with Iron".  Also, Friends Delight store is open Saturday through Monday from 10am - 4pm.  

Garrett Trails Update

Want to know what Garrett Trails has been up to?  Here is a video sent over by Brad Nesline, outlining some new trails being built in Garrett County.  

Take a Tweethike with MDtrails

If you're interested in learning more about places to hike, bike, paddle, ski, snowshoe..well just about any outdoor activity that involves a trail, you'll want to visit MDtrails.com  Created by Leo Edmiston-Cyr, MD Trails is an interactive website devoted to providing comprehensive information regarding all trails in Maryland. 

The site offers some interesting ways to get trail information, including the use of social media along with visitor participation and contribution.  Below are some of the features the site offers. 

Tweethikes -  Tweethikes allow you to follow hikes in real time via Twitter as contributors make their way along a trail.  The Tweethike provides useful information for anyone planning to visit the trail in the future.  Even if you're not planning an imminent hike, they still make for an interesting read.   To find a Garrett County trail, visit the "Tags" link and look for "Garrett County".  You'll find aTweethike up on the Meadow Mountain Trail at the Deep Creek Lake State Park as well as Lostland and New Germany State Park.

Trailvoice allows individuals to "adopt" a trail - that is contribute information and keeping information on the site current regarding the trail. 

Trail Talk allows the end user to participate by providing details from their own experiences out on the Maryland trails.

Featured Trail gives businesses an opportunity to sponsor a trail that they are on or nearby.  The business will be featured on the sites trail map, gaining great exposure with folks passing through the area.

Take some time to visit www.mdtrails.com before you set out on your next adventure.