snowmobiles – Jay's Real Estate Blog

Maryland Park Service issues warning for Deep Creek Lake snowmobilers

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The Maryland Park Service reminds all snowmobilers of the potential for unseen safety hazards on Deep Creek Lake, particularly at night. As of this Saturday, Feb. 20, an area of ice will be removed near Uno Chicago Grill along Garrett Highway to create open water for the annual Special Olympics Deep Creek Dunk. This area will remain unsafe for quite some time and will be marked with reflective traffic cones, said a park service spokesperson.

He added that persons should be aware that lake surface conditions under bridges where road salt and abrasives are plowed from the pavement are often particularly hazardous.

“Other conditions that may cause unpleasant situations are unseen snowdrifts or pressure ridges that can act as ramps and cause sleds to become airborne, leading to a loss of control and accidents,” he added.

Deep Creek Lake is a part of the designated ORV trail system, permitting use by registered snowmobiles only. Permits are available by mail or at any of the local state park offices during normal business hours. Snowmobiles may operate at night if equipped with working head and taillights.

Access to the lake may be made at Deep Creek Lake State Park or with permission from a private landowner with a permit site adjacent to the lake.

Ice fishermen, hikers, and cross-country skiers traveling on the lake should also exercise caution. The wearing of or having readily accessible life preservers could prevent a tragedy, said the spokesperson.

“Anyone who encounters people, pets, or wildlife that have fallen through the ice is asked to call either 911 or the toll-free DNR Communications number (1-800-628-9944) for assistance,” he added.

For further information on ice conditions at Deep Creek Lake, persons may telephone a ranger at the park headquarters office, 301-387-5563, or the Discovery Center on weekends at 301-387-7067.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Oakland ready for third annual Winter Fest

Ice sculptures focal point for three-day celebration; activities planned for all ages

For the Cumberland Times-News
Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — Oakland Main Street is sponsoring its third annual Winter Fest on Feb. 19, 20 and 21, with a wide variety of activities planned for Garrett County residents and visitors alike.

Organizers said last year’s festival was a huge success and this year’s festival has been expanded to a three-day event. Once again, ice carving demonstrations will be held during the run of the celebration. The event relies on sponsorships from local businesses and contributions from the public.

Festival crowds will be treated to an encore performance by expert ice sculptor Bill Sandusky, whose company, Frozen Assets, has been a member of the National Ice Carvers Association since 1999. Sandusky, an award-winning ice carver who served Western Pennsylvania for 15 years, is now located in Colorado. This will be his third Oakland Winter Fest.

Five carvings will be created during the daylight hours with an additional 25 sculptures being displayed throughout town. Tons of sparkling ice art will grace downtown Oakland throughout the day and evening during the festival.

Highlights of the festival include:

• Progressive Dinner, starting at Oakland’s historic train station with diners arriving at each dinner course via horse-drawn sleigh.

• All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the local fire hall.

• Lighting ceremony, with most of the ice sculptures lighted after dark. During previous festivals, many people drove around downtown in the evening to see the sculptures.

• Announcement of Oakland’s 2010 Snowflake Toddler, selected by the community.

• An “ice throne” to sit on, providing an opportunity for photographs.

• Dragon slide.

• Frozen bowling alley.

• Snowmobile drag races.

• Snowman building competition.

• Wine tasting.

• Music by the Preston Madrigals and Maria Rose and Danny Elswick.

• Campfire with s’mores.

• Photo scavenger hunt

• Arts and craftr vendors at the train station.

• Food vendors

For more information, call Jim Johnson, Winter Fest Committee chairman, at (301) 616-4008, or Arlene Murray, Oakland Main Street manager, at (301) 616-2411.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Playing on the ice at Deep Creek Lake

My daughter, Kayleah, and my wife, Jessica, were with me today as we ventured out on the ice at Deep Creek Lake. From what the ice fishermen were saying, the ice is about 12 inches thick on the main body of the lake. Our first experience was near Ski Harbor, and we were surprised to see ‘Logan’, a beautiful yellow lab, come sprinting from the Lakestar Lodge. His owner was right behind him, but the dog had no idea he was on ice the way he sprinted towards us with his tail wagging.

Next, Kayleah and I ventured out a little further on the ice in front of Traders Landing and High Mountain Sports. You could see that there had been plenty of snowmobiles leaving their marks on the ice and snow. Kayleah made a heart in the snow and it turned out to be a great picture, as you can see. It was FREEZING with the wind chill, so we only stayed out for 15 minutes or so. Overall, FUN DAY!

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Snowmobiling at the Deep Creek Lake State Park

Snowmobile parking at the Deep Creek Lake State Park has been moved to the upper lot of the boat ramp. This will allow the Discovery Center Parking Area to be open for automobiles during regular day use visitors and special events such as the Snowflake Chase this weekend. The restrooms in the upper lot are open and heated.

To use any of the State Park or Forest designated Trails, users must have an ORV Sticker that can be purchased for $15, at any of the DNR offices. The sticker is valid for the current calendar year.

Also, in an effort to ensure safety the park has blocked areas that are not to be accessed by motorized vehicles with signs and plastic barricades.

If you have any questions about snowmobiling in the Deep Creek Lake State Park, call 301-387-5563.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Respect Deep Creek Lake ice

Cumberland Times-News

MCHENRY — As temperatures begin to freeze area waterways, the Maryland Park Service cautions that anyone enjoying winter activities on Deep Creek Lake or any frozen body of water, should use care, particularly at night.

“Snowmobilers, ice fishermen, hikers and cross-country skiers traveling on the frozen lake should exercise caution,” urged Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area Assistant Manager Mark Spurrier. “Wearing a personal flotation device could prevent a tragedy. If you encounter people, pets or wildlife that have fallen through the ice, call either 911 or the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-628-9944 for assistance.”

Road salt and abrasives plowed from highway bridges may affect the quality of the ice underneath and unseen snowdrifts can act as ramps and cause sleds and snowmobiles to become airborne leading to a loss of control and accidents.

Deep Creek Lake is a part of the designated off-road vehicle trail system permitting use by registered snowmobiles only. Permits are available by mail or at any of the local state park offices during normal business hours. Snowmobiles may operate at night if equipped with working head and taillights. Snowmobilers may access the lake through Deep Creek Lake State Park or with permission from a private landowner. For further information on ice conditions at Deep Creek Lake, call 301-387-5563 during the weekday or the Discovery Center on weekends at 301-387-7067.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Category: snowmobiles

Maryland Park Service issues warning for Deep Creek Lake snowmobilers

Oakland ready for third annual Winter Fest

Playing on the ice at Deep Creek Lake

Snowmobiling at the Deep Creek Lake State Park

Respect Deep Creek Lake ice

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