The Deep Creek Blog

Hero's Day At Wisp - January 6

Tomorrow, Friday January 6th, is Hero's Day at Wisp Resort.  Hero's Day.  The resort is honoring our nation's military and rescue personnel with a complimentary 1-day lift ticket*.  The Hero's immediate family members only can receive a $10 1-day lift ticket.  For the latest ski conditions visit http://www.wispresort.com/wisp/lifts-grooming.aspx
 

*Military & rescue personnel must show valid service ID at ticket window to receive the complimentary ticket.

 

Tree Lighting Ceremony at Wisp Resort

Enjoy Wisp Resort's Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday December 23rd from 6-8 pm at Bear Claw Adventure Park.  Caroling will be provided by Deep Creek Lake Resort Ministries as visitors enjoy holiday characters, roasting marshmallows and hot chocolate. Standard activity fees will apply for this event. 

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.

 

Great Plug for Deep Creek Lake on Good Morning Maryland

1st Annual Flurry Festival at New Germany State Park

New Germany State Park will be hosting the 1st annual “Flurry Festival” on Saturday, February 19, 2011! The festival will feature a “flurry” of winter activities, including a snow sculpture contest, a snowball throwing contest, winter-themed crafts, a sucker pull, a free family-friendly movie, and more!  Snacks and gift items will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of New Germany State Park.

All programs and activities will be held at the New Germany Lake House, from 10 am – 4 pm.  The event will be free of charge, but normal State Park service charges will apply ($3.00 per person for Maryland residents, $4.00 per person for out-of-state residents).  Cross-country ski rentals and lessons will also be available at the New Germany Recreation Hall.    For more information call the Ranger Station at 301-895-5453.   

World Next Door TV Visits Deep Creek Lake

This video will make you want to get to Garrett County pronto before the snow melts!  Sonja Lowery's World Next Door TV visited Wisp Resort, hosted by Railey Mountain Lake Vacations.  

Winterfest 2011 in Oakland, Maryland

Oakland's 4th Annual Winterfest is scheduled for February 18, 19, and 20th.  Returning this year are the snowmobile races, live ice sculpting, a bigger bonfire where you can roast marshmallows and make s'more's.  Visitors will experience ice-carving demonstrations from start to finish!  Five carvings will be done during the daylight hours with additional 25 sculptures being displayed throughout town.  Visit Oakland Winterfest for all of the details.  

 

Deep Creek Lake Snowshoe Tours

All Earth Eco Tours offers Snowshoe tours around the Deep Creek Lake area.  They visit some interesting locations, including the Cranesville Swamp and Swallow Falls.  Visit their site for all of the details.  

Winterfest

This weekend, February 20 and 21, is Oakland's Winterfest Event .  

Saturday's activities include the ice dragon slide, ice throne, ice sculptures, live ice sculpting displays, ice bowling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, music by Preston Madrigals, snowmobile races, wine tasting, snowman competition and arts & crafts vendors.

Sunday's activities include ice dragon slide, ice throne, pancake breakfast at the fire hall, ice sculptures, live ice sculpting display, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice bowling, music by Maria Rose and Danny Elswick and arts and crafts!  

Maple Syrup Time in Garrett County

Did you know that Garrett County used to be a major production center for the maple syrup industry?  While it may not be the largest producer of the syrup anymore, you can still find this traditional spring activity in the county.   Maple syrup season varies every year, depending upon the weather.  Today does not offer ideal conditions for tapping the trees, as the best days reach forty-five to fifty degrees with a temperature around twenty-eight degrees at night.  Nevertheless, the sap was running in February, thanks to some warmer conditions, and will be again soon. 

Steyer Brothers Farm on Rt. 560  is a working maple syrup farm.  The Steyer family has been making the syrup for over 100 years. They offer tours to the public during the season and sell the product on site year round.   If you are interested in a tour, your best bet is to call the farm at (301) 334-2900 to schedule a visit, as the weather determines whether or not they can collect the sap.    

Also, the Steyer family partners with the State Parks to provide activities for the public. Maple syrup demonstrations are scheduled at Swallow Falls State Park from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday March 8th. They will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate the use of an evaporator in the syrup making process.  Pure maple products will be offered for sale during this time.  For more information call 301-334-9180.    On Sunday March 9th, pancakes, buckwheat cakes, pure maple syrup, sausage, orange juice and coffee will be served at Herrington Manor Park.   

In nearby Allegany County, the Savage River Lodge makes syrup on the premises as well.  Mike Dreisbach tells me that guests come to help collect sap, with the added bonus of getting to take some of the syrup home.  Also, the Lodge sells their finished product and uses it in the restaurant.  For more information, visit www.savageriverlodge.com.

Impressive Even in Alaska

The story about Husky Power Dogsledding  in the Washington Post that I linked to last week was referenced in the Anchorage Daily News. 

Born to run … but in Maryland? Sled dog racing is at the height of its season in Alaska, what with the Fur Rondy races over the weekend, the just-completed Yukon Quest, and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race coming up this weekend. But sled dog season in Maryland?

According to a Washington Post story, a dog sled touring operation in western Maryland is making a go of it. The region gets 100 inches of snow a year, has 90,000 acres of parks and forest lands, and a lot of people show up to ride. The operation claims to be the southernmost dog sled touring company in the U.S

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Husky Power Dogsledding in The Washington Post

The Washington Post just put up a nice article about Husky Power Dogsledding.  You can view a prior post on this dynamic outfit here. 

Also in the Post, "Where to Go, What to Know" features some local businesses as well. 

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