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5 Easy Deep Creek Lake Hiking Trails

Deep Creek Lake hiking trails are plentiful! With seven state parks, there are almost endless paths winding through Garrett County. They range from easy to difficult. Many do offer more rugged terrain, but there are quite a few Deep Creek Lake hiking trails that are less challenging.

Whether you live here year round or own a second home in the area, area trails are a fantastic benefit of “lake life”. Enjoying the natural beauty of the area is something that everyone can experience on a regular basis.

I put together a list of 5 easy Deep Creek Lake hiking trails that are family friendly. Of course, you should gauge your family’s ability level before heading out to explore.

Deep creek lake hiking trails

Green Trail at New Germany State Park

This is ideal for beginner hikers. It is fairly flat and follows a native brook trout stream called Poplar Lick. In the winter, it is popular with cross country skiers. Park naturalists lead guided hikes that give you great info about the environment.

New Germany State Park also has a thirteen acre lake with a sandy beach for swimming. Spring through fall, you can rent kayaks, canoes, row boats and stand up paddle boards too.

Deep Creek Lake Hiking

Swallow Falls State Park Loop

This easy circuit hike is in Swallow Falls State Park. It takes you through a mature hemlock forest along the scenic Youghiogheny River. One of the highlights is Muddy Creek Falls. It is Maryland’s tallest waterfall standing at 53 feet high.

This is a good option when hiking with small children or friends and family that aren’t overly “outdoorsy”. Picnic tables and a pavilion give you a place to have a snack or a packed lunch.

Cranesville Swamp Preserve

Managed by the Nature Conservancy, Cranesville Swam offers a network of 5 different trails including a 1,500 ft. boardwalk. They are all under 2 miles long. Cranesville Swamp is located in a frost pocket. The surrounding hills capture moisture and cold air. So that creates a landscape similar to that found in Canada.

The area is home to over 48 rare plants and animals, including Jacob’s ladder, southern water shrew, and mountain earth snake. Also, there are more than 100 species of birds. Continue reading 5 Easy Deep Creek Lake Hiking Trails

Friday Weekend Update-Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Resort

Friday Weekend Update-Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Resort
Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Real Estate Agent
Friday Weekend Update-Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Resort
Taylor-Made Real Estate Betsy Spiker Holcomb-301-616-5022
Friday Weekend Update-Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Resort
Style Points

If you are sitting in your office dreaming of enjoying virgin corduroy ski slopes with your family and friends, I have one question for you…why aren’t you here?? After all, this is the time of the year when you can find the slopes with minimal traffic and fantastic conditions. I passed by Wisp Resort today on the way to work and saw two snowboarders on the first runs of Mainstreet throwing up huge rooster tails on the freshly groomed slope.  Passing the lodge area confirmed my thoughts on the “crowds”. They are non-existent during the week days and manageable on the weekend. Normally we see a huge peak of traffic during the Martin Luther King Holiday and then things taper off to a steady through February leading up to the Deep Creek Dunk on 2/25. This is also a great time to look at real estate in between winter sports and making merry. Call Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales to find a last minute vacation rental home or call Betsy Holcomb at 301-616-5022 to sit down and discuss the real estate options here at the lake!

Friday Weekend Update-Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Resort Friday Weekend Update-Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Resort

Friday Weekend Update-Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Resort
Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Real Estate Agent

Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake

 

Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Real Estate Agent
Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake
Taylor-Made Real Estate Betsy Spiker Holcomb-301-616-5022

Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake

Mark your calendars!

November 25 & 26, 2016

 Garrett County Fairgrounds (Hwy 219)

Garrett Highway in McHenry, MD 21541

 Hours: 9a.m.- 6p.m. – FREE PARKING!

 Admission just $5 per person.

 

LIVE AUCTION on SATURDAY at 6p.m. of

designer-decorated exhibits & special items

FREE local tree delivery

Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake

 

SCHEDULE OF ATTRACTIONS

 Start the family fun with

Breakfast w/ Santa with ELF Bracelet

$10/person

 Friday & Saturday

9a.m. & 10a.m. seating

Click here for details

 

Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen

Friday 9a.m. – 6p.m.

Saturday 9a.m. – 4p.m.

Foods and drinks, low prices

 

Vendors

Friday 9a.m. – 6p.m.

Saturday 9a.m. – 4p.m.

Creative, special gifts for everyone

 

Make Your Own Sundae $3

Noon-3p.m. Friday

1p.m. while it lasts on Saturday

Choose the ice cream and toppings you want!

With homemade ice cream by locally famous Lakeside Creamery

(near Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen)

 

Silent Auction Tables click for details

Friday 9a.m. – 5p.m.

Saturday 9a.m. – 4p.m.

(winners will be called Saturday)

 

Grand Finale LIVE AUCTION begins Saturday 6p.m.

5:00 p.m. cash bar open to public

5:30 p.m. complimentary food with bid number only

Click here for details

 Frosty’s Funland for the kids!

Friday and Saturday

 Bring your camera!

 Santa’s Bakery – FREE! Decorate your own cookie!

 Craft Tables – FREE! Cut, paste, decorate!

 Face-Painting – FREE!

 Elfenheim Mall! – Where kids can buy gifts for family and friends for only $1 per item!  SuGO Robotics

 

 Friday and Saturday

10a.m. – 1p.m.

SuGO Robotics interactive demonstration (Near Mrs. Claus Kitchen)

 Saturday at 4pm, admission is free

We are setting up for the live auction – vendors are leaving and the kids’ activities are no longer available. Santa and friends are no longer on premises.

 Visitors may enjoy a stroll through the decorated holiday exhibits and see what won prize ribbons and enjoy the on-stage musical performance.

 5 pm Cash Bar open while bidders sign in for the live auction.

 5:30 pm Buffet for BIDDERS ONLY, with special card and their bid number

 6 pm PROMPTLY begins the Grand Finale LIVE AUCTION

Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake Festival of Trees-Deep Creek Lake

Late Summer Activity – Deep Creek Lake

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor

 

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake
Tubing Deep Creek Lake

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake
Fishing and swimming DCL

Late Summer Activity – Deep Creek Lake. Here we are almost two weeks into August and the activity at the lake seems to be in full rpm mode. I took a spin around to get a feel for the number of people here at the lake on a “hump day” Wednesday. I was happily surprised to see people enjoying numerous Deep Creek activities. The summer season is showing no signs of slowing down. It’s fun to see the different ways families enjoy their stay here at Deep Creek Lake.

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake

Cherry Creek Cove had the most activity with folks trying to get out of the breezy mid-point of the lake. I stopped and shot a few photos and became very jealous at all the fun I was missing out on. Families were out on kayaks, paddleboards, water skis, tubes, and jet skis. Smiles and laughter were the mood of the day. Fishing poles were wet, swimmers were being refreshed and boaters were cruising the cove. It all looked like a well synchronized dance.

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake

We are past the 7th inning stretch and heading toward the end of the summer season here at the lake. Don’t throw in the towel just yet and call Taylor-Made Rentals @ 866-351-1119 X-1 for a wonderful rental property. Enjoy an extended week away from the stresses of work. Call Betsy Spiker Holcomb @ 301-616-5022 with any questions you may have regarding lake activities or real estate properties for sale.

Late Summer Activity - Deep Creek Lake

Fishing Deep Creek Lake Maryland

Fishing Deep Creek Lake Maryland
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor

 

 

 

Fishing Deep Creek Lake Maryland

Fishing Deep Creek Lake Maryland

Fishing Deep Creek Lake Maryland. The alarm clock is not met with as much resistance when you are scheduled for a morning of fishing at Deep Creek Lake. Continue reading Fishing Deep Creek Lake Maryland

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor

 

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

 1.  Stock and Hot Stock Tractor Pull– Enjoy locals challenging each other with torque and horsepower in this classic American event. Video here

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

2.  Demolition Derby- This is a favorite event for me and the family. Does it get any better than watching cars smash into each other until they cannot run anymore? Last car standing! Video here.

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

3.  Cow Patty Bingo- Imagine if you would, a large bingo board drawn out in an arena with labeled squares. Then you let people bet on & choose specific squares. Now for fun, let’s let a bunch of cows mosey on this real time bingo board and let their droppings decide a winner by the location its dropped. How can you dislike this old time tradition?

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

4.  Food- Enjoy special fair food here at Deep Creek Lake. Pit beef, Rotary french fries and vinegar, Lions Club chicken dinner, taco salad, funnel cakes, turkey legs, Amish milkshake, Hotdogs, cheese burgers, homemade lemonade, pizza, corndogs and more.

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

5.  Mud Bog- There are many different classes of mud stomping hotrods! This event screams excitement! Lineup of mega horsepower at a starting line with hundreds of feet of extra sloppy mud to drive through. The sounds of thunder coming out of these machines is exhilarating.

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6.  Mechanical Bull Riding- What is there to say… You had a weird moment in life when you thought you wanted to be John Travolta in Urban Cowboy. Here’s your chance. Put your boots, hat and chaps on and give it a whirl.

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

7.   4-H & FFA Livestock Sale- This cattle and pig auction is special for a lot of reasons. Basically the whole process is that young future farmers raise and take care of a grain fed cow without the use of steroids, hormones and chemicals. The auction helps these young boys and girls raise money to continue learning in the farm industry. The product from these animals is absolutely delicious and most local’s split a steer to put in the freezer to enjoy for the following year.

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

  1. Music-Each year they bring in very entertaining music with a country to bluegrass flair. They always provide a toe-tapping backdrop to the busy and vibrant fair.

 

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

9.  Craft Barns– The craft barns have an amazing assortment of arts and crafts done by local artisans. You may see creative wood working items, quilting’s and photography.  They also have fresh baked goods, jellies, cheeses and cookies. There is also a blue ribbon styled award for the best and largest produce. I highly recommend taking a few laps through these interesting buildings.

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

10.  Carnival Rides-Bring the kids and have a blast on the traditional rides that we all grew up loving. The ferris wheel, the round-up, the scrambler, the carousel and funhouse come to mind. We all love to push the limits of excitement on squeaky classics.

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair

 

 

Top Ten things to do at the Garrett County Fair
Taylor-Made Real Estate Betsy Spiker Holcomb-301-616-5022

Living in the Moment, Creating Memories, Deep Creek Lake

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Realtor
Living in the Moment, Creating Memories, Deep Creek Lake
Betsy Spiker Holcomb and son Griffins first tube ride.
Living in the Moment, Creating Memories, Deep Creek Lake
A first flower. Precious times in life.

Living in the Moment, Creating Memories, Deep Creek Lake. Along this journey of our existence, we find a comfortable place to experience the joys of life with family. We strive to live in the moment and create memories that we will never forget. Continue reading Living in the Moment, Creating Memories, Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland Historical Weather Data

 

Betsy Holcomb

 

Blown up sunrise DCL
DCL_weather1DCL_weather2

DCL_weather3aaaaweatheraaa Continue reading Deep Creek Lake, Maryland Historical Weather Data

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale

 

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale. The end of the summer is approaching like a freight train and I am very happy to have finally had a chance to get on the lake with family. Our oldest sons, Brendon and Peyton, and their girlfriends came up last week to visit with little brother Griffin. They ziplined, rode the mountain coaster, went for a swim at Swallow Falls, jet skied to the southern end of the lake, enjoyed some Brenda’s Pizza (their favorite DCL pizza), and had ice cream at Huey’s. I had a busy week of appointments but caught up with them to go white water rafting at ASCI, a sunset paddleboard session and an amazing dawn patrol wakeboarding/slalom ski session. We also took little Griffin on his first pontoon boat ride (with the older boys tubing the whole way) to Dutch’s Daughter for lunch on the veranda. I suggest you come visit this weekend and cram it all in. Here are some photos of the 4 days of fun!

 

Betsy and Griffin

 Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale

 

Betsy ripping

Betsy Holcomb shredding Deep Creek

 ASCI

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale

  Peyton tubing

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale

  Brendon airing it out

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale

 Me trying to keep up…

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale

 My boys

 Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Wisp Labor Day Sale

This weekend is the famous Wisp Sale! Details are…

Wisp Outdoors Equipment Blow Out Sale

Friday, August 30 thru Monday, September 2

9am – 5pm – Wisp Outdoors Adventure Park

Wisp Outdoors Rental Equipment: Limited supply.

Come early for the best selection and save big $$$$!

Sale equipments includes but not limited to
Kayaks,
Canoes,
Mountain Bikes,
Paddleboards and Accessories.*

*Products are in limited supply and based on availability and subject to change.

On the real estate home front, here are 3 great properties at Deep Creek Lake:

Have a great holiday weekend!

SavageMan Swim-Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

SavageMan Swim-Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

SavageMan Swim-Deep Creek Lake, Maryland I took out the paddleboard this weekend to the DeepCreekLakeState Park trying to get a different perspective on the SavageMan race. My focus was on the opening event both days, which was swimming. Saturday the swim was .9 miles and Sunday was 1.2 miles. Let me tell you that this is an amazing feat to accomplish before you go on and bike and run the afternoon away! The thing that I found most treacherous besides the obvious distance of the swim was the conditions that you have to swim under. Unlike the control you have in the direction you choose during the biking and running section, swimming is organized chaos. Most take a wiggly, zig zaggy line back and forth often kicking or stroking into, over, and under the other competitors.  It seems very tight throughout the race as packs of swimmers “school together” at different levels and speeds, often colliding and finding newer, safer paths to follow. My hats off to all the contestants who challenged their mind, body, and souls to finish this demanding start to this mythical race. Much respect of congratulations to all that participated!!!