Swallow Falls State Park Waterfalls

Deep Creek Lakes Top Spring Activities

Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor — Betsy Spiker Holcomb, Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite

Deep Creek Lake’s Top Spring Activities

We are often asked what are Deep Creek Lake’s best spring activities. In a four-season resort like Deep Creek there is always plenty to do as you transition into each season. As we start getting closer to the end of the 2016 winter season it’s a great time to start planning next season’s family adventures. Springtime always has a special place in my heart personally because of the abundance of “new life” after a long winter of hibernation. You will not be disappointed with the diverse amount of activities we have here at Deep Creek to experience. Here are a few to get you started…

Fishing- Like fishing? Get up before the crack of dawn and get out on the lake with a pale full of golden shiners in some secluded little cove near the dam and get ready to wear out your wrist reeling in 14+ species of fish. All your favorites are here such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill and many other species. Start your day enjoying the peaceful calm that Deep Creek offers every morning and fill up your cooler with lunch for the family.

Hiking–If you like to check-out from civilization and become one with nature then Deep Creek Lake is your home for great hiking adventures. With seven State parks, you will have no problem getting your fill of the green life. Mild temperatures, budding trees and blooming wildflowers make spring a great time to hike in the area. There is plenty of information online to get you started, so grab your family and get stepping!

The Spring Thaw at Swallow Falls- You can witness a really amazing spectacle here at Deep Creek Lake in the Spring time. The Spring thaw at Deep Creek lake is basically all the snow accumulation during the winter melting which swells the rivers and waterfalls. Take some time to research and check out this amazing event.

Golf – Deep Creek Lake is lucky enough to have the wonderful mountain course Lodestone near Wisp Resort. There’s also Thousand Acres Golf Course, Oakland Golf Club and Wisp Golf Course. You have a nice selection of different tiered golf courses for your enjoyment.

Canoeing/Kayaking Paddleboarding- Take an early morning sunrise canoe/kayak or paddleboard run around the lake and have the entire lake to yourself. If you have never been on the lake early in the morning you are missing out on one amazing experience.

The Spring Thaw at Swallow Falls State Park

I never get tired of promoting this special park here in Garrett County. The spring thaw at Swallow falls State Park can be epic if you catch it after a cold winter season. Imagine the amount of precipitation that we get here at Deep Creek Lake that remains suspended as snow. Some years, we have periodic warm-ups that etch away at the snow mass throughout the season. Some years, we have periodic warm-ups that etch away at the snow mass throughout the season. Some years, it stays cold for the entire winter which basically keeps the amount of precipitation on the ground increasing after each snowfall event. When the springtime blooms here with warm weather, we can see the rivers and creeks expand enormously when this buildup of snow starts to melt. When this massive amount of water starts pouring over our waterfalls in the area it can make you feel tiny with its thunderous power. Gravity becomes an astounding catalyst of force as the entire county releases flood gates of melting snow through vein after vein of branch creeks and streams until they explode into our river systems. The constant roar of the water echoes throughout the park and surrounding areas drowning out the subtle sounds of nature that you normally hear in the summer. Be warned that this power can be very dangerous and you should be advised to keep away from the water’s edge. One slip into the raging waters would certainly prove fatal. Thankfully, Swallow Falls State Park is laid out with very high and safe vantage points to enjoy the show safely. Dress in rain type gear because the park will be misty. Some days you can be transported back in time and wonder how it must have felt to live back when the things of the world weren’t so well defined. There had to have been an awesome range of emotions living in such a mystical rugged area of the country back in those days. I feel lucky to call this area my home. Put this on your list of things to share with your family and friends. You will not be disappointed. Continue reading The Spring Thaw at Swallow Falls State Park

Photo Gallery-Trio of Waterfalls-Swallow Falls

Winter activities have been superb over the second half of the 2016 season and we still have a way to go before spring kicks in. Leave the traffic and stress from work behind and come inhale and absorb the beautiful waterfalls at Swallow Falls State Park. Continue reading Photo Gallery-Trio of Waterfalls-Swallow Falls

Swallow Falls State in the Fall- Photo Gallery

Swallow Falls-Fall Spectacle

As you get into and beyond the third week in September you will find the leaves making their change at Swallow Falls State Park. This change signals the start of the fall foliage show that slowly blooms here in Garrett County over the next month. Continue reading Swallow Falls State in the Fall- Photo Gallery

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Summer Activities

Greetings from Deep Creek Lake-Summer Activities. It gets easier to be revved up for summer when you start seeing the boats filtering on the lake. Yesterday there was a mix of recreational tubers, fisherman, and marinas tuning up boats for their clients. Weather has warmed up to summer temps this week and you can tell folks are starting to gather into the lake. Last night I did my evening paddleboard between 7:30pm-9:00pm and saw some late evening fisherman and a few boats screaming by trying to ensure that their boats are running smoothly. I cruised past a family of at least a dozen who were throwing football and roasting smores around a fire pit near the water’s edge. I love summer!

Dusk paddle

In case you missed the USA Canoe/Kayak Whitewater Slalom Team Trails this weekend, here is a photo gallery on our Deep Creek Lake, Maryland Facebook page of some of the action. Remember this will determine who will be competing in next year’s ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships of 2014 between September 16-21, 2014. We had three Olympic medalists here competing this weekend. Look ahead in your calendar if you plan on visiting because this is no small event. Word is that lots of people will have to stay out of town because all rentals will be booked. This event will be the biggest event ever hosted here at the lake. The eyes of the world and Canoe/Kayak community will be focused on Deep Creek Lake for a week. Plan far in advance so you don’t miss it!

Intense competition

If you have not visited ASCI or tried to go whitewater rafting I highly recommend it! There are only a few re-circulating whitewater courses in the world and we are lucky to have the best here in our back yard.

Rafting trip at ASCI with my son and his girlfriend

This weekend we have the Tom Wallisch Rail Jam at Wisp Resort on Saturday, May 25^th. Registration is between 6pm-7pm with the competition starting soon thereafter. They say there is plenty of snow to hold this event and I hope you have a chance to go check out some of the skiers and snowboarders competing. The Tom Batcherlor Band will provide the music.

Not sure what direction to go this weekend? A few suggestions…

Go zip lining, ride the mountain coaster, or go for a dune buggy ride at Wisp Resort. Go hiking or rock climbing at Fork Run Recreational Area. Go get some hot wings and a crabcake from The Black Bear. Go visit the magnificent waterfalls at Swallow Falls State Park. Go rent a boat, canoe, kayak or paddleboard from Deep Creek Marina. Go try out Deep Creek Lake’s newest restaurant Aces Run. Go enjoy an eco tour with the family. Go fishing on DCL or the Yough River. Go play golf at the well received Lodestone Golf Club. Buy a home here at the lake!!! Call Betsy Holcomb 301-616-5022 http://deepcreeklakeproperty.com/meet-betsy/

Featured listing of the week: Check out this homesite on hole #13 at Lodestone. Lake and golf views! http://vt.realbiz360.com/Listing-440824.html

Sold Property in the last 30 days- http://mrislistings.mris.com/DE.asp?ID=52524358330

Have a safe & memorable family weekend!!

Garrett County Waterfalls- Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake Waterfalls

Garrett County Waterfalls- Deep Creek Lake. Next time you are visiting Deep Creek Lake, be sure to visit Swallow Falls State Park and experience a trip back in time with three spectacular waterfalls. Only a short walk from the parking area is the breathtaking 53’ Muddy Creek Falls. It is the highest waterfall in the state ofMaryland and used to be a regular campsite for Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford in the early twentieth century. The park has towering ancient Hemlock trees and trails that will take you to two more waterfalls that both have unique personalities.SwallowFalls exists because of a huge bottleneck in the mightyYoughioghenyRiver that increases the water flow causing it to explode over an enormous rock outcropping. This is a great place to bring the kids during the summer to let them slide on the rocks and swim in the refreshing river. LittleTolliverFalls is a short walk upstream and is a favorite of mine to photograph. It is tucked a few footsteps from theYoughRiver and has a very peaceful setting that can keep you mesmerized for hours with its soothing calm. Make sure you enjoy this beautiful part of our great country on your next visit to the lake. Like me, you will become a regular at returning to these special places over and over again, each time blowing you away like the first time you laid eyes on these national treasures.

River Kayaking the Youghiogheny River-Deep Creek Lake

River Kayaking the Youghiogheny River Deep Creek Lake

I was taking my weekly hike at Swallow Falls State Park this weekend trying to photograph the beautiful waterfalls when I stumbled upon a very exciting scene. I have always known that there is a put-in for kayaks by the bridge but never was there to see someone come through Swallow Falls. My experience with water sports revolves elusively around the ocean and the lake up to this point, so it really got my adrenaline flowing knowing these guys were going to bomb this violent waterfall on kayaks.

There were three guys paddling my way very casually without apprehension of the raging waters and dramatic elevation change ahead. The lead kayaker set his line for the center chute and paddled into its smooth channel at the top of the falls aggressive and calculated. His speed started racing with the bottleneck of the water flow as he was catapulted into the raging falls and for a moment was submerged by fierce white water. It wasn’t long before he accelerated out of the powerful rapids to the calm swirling pool below.

The other two guys came through with the same intensity as the first and they all casually glided down the Youghiogheny River until they vanished from my site. My love for Deep Creek Lake sports has already been long since established but now I have a fire burning in me to try my hand at river kayaking. I think it may be a wise decision for me to take baby steps far away from raging Swallow Falls!

Hiking Deep Creek Lake-Garrett County

Hiking Deep Creek Lake

Hiking Deep Creek Lake-Garrett County. Hiking Deep Creek Lake can be a very refreshing experience as we transition into spring here in the next couple of weeks. Garrett County is made up of 420,950 land acres in which 383,065 is assessed as agricultural lands. State parks, forests, and wildlife management areas assist in the preservation of approximately 20% of the total acreage, which is close to a staggering 85,000 acres of recreation area. You can understand why hiking may be an activity that may pique the interest of people wanting to get off the everyday path of life and to be teleported back in time when this great land of ours was undeveloped and abundant in natural beauty. It takes minimal research to find some amazing trails to get away to and enjoy the finest scenery in this part of the country. You can hike along many pristine rivers, perhaps stopping to wet a fly and catch a few native trout for supper. Maybe you just want to take in the stunning views and share them with your friends and family while you keep your heart pumping with a healthy happiness throughout your veins. Pack your trail boots on your next visit to the lake and set foot on the vast labyrinths of hiking trails dissecting our unique county here in Western Maryland.

Spring Warm Up-Swallow Falls-Deep Creek Lake

Spring Warm Up-Swallow Falls-Deep Creek Lake

Spring Warm Up-Swallow Falls-Deep Creek Lake. Last week, Deep Creek Lake and the rest of the East Coast saw a huge spike in temperatures which put an end to the activities on our frozen lake. The spring thaw at Swallow Falls State Park can be a very spectacular thing to witness after such a warm up. For the moment, the ice fishermen have cleaned up their gear and are reflecting on the wonderful moments that were had during this stellar winter season on the ice. The snowmobiles are all cleaned up and are being stored in their trailers or garages. This year’s week long surge in temperatures really accelerated the major spring thaw that by Friday 2/19/11 had the rivers and streams flexing with power that is hard to comprehend. My husband and I were at Swallow Falls State Park witnessing this quantum power when believe it or not a kayaker came barreling through the falls at mach speed. Unfortunately, we did not get a photo of this exciting experience as it happened so fast. The spring thaw is a really a fun event to witness when you are here at DCL. Don’t fret if you missed the start of it last week. The water has already cleaned up, and there are some spectacular sites to be witnessed over the next couple of months as we ease into spring. Take a moment to witness the relaxing sites and sounds of the water and streams here at Deep Creek Lake.

Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake Maryland

There’s a story in ’em ‘er woods…or more like it, a whole lot of stories! Swallow Falls State Park is just outside of Deep Creek Lake, Maryland and stretches to about 257 acres along the scenic Youghiogheny River. Hiking trails will lead you to 2 large falls, Swallow Falls and Muddy Creek Falls, as well as several smaller whitewaters. Tall Hemlocks dominate the silent woods, which are estimated to be 300+ years old.

Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake Maryland — Muddy Creek Falls

As a native to Garrett County, Maryland I’ve walked these paths on many occasions but I learn something new about the historical park each time I visit. On my most recent trip to Swallow Falls, I noticed a few things about the trees that adorn its forests.

Youghiogheny Grove is a 37-acre area of virgin Hemlock and White Pine and is the last stand of its kind in Maryland. Another grove of trees a little closer to the river is known as Towering Giants. Because of their age, the trees’ root systems are shallow and particularly vulnerable to storm damage. Some of the treetops and limbs have been stripped over the years, but to look up and see the sunlight glistening through them is a spectacle you’ll want to experience.

Tag: Swallow Falls State Park Waterfalls