OAKLAND, Md. — It’s a big lake, largest in Maryland. It sprawls with fingers of water scooting off in at least two major directions.
Deep Creek Lake just celebrated its 90th year created as a hydroelectric project in 1925. The generator still works but today the lake is centerpiece of a bustling tourism industry although wilderness remains everywhere. It has virgin hemlock stands — the only ones in the state. Savage River State Forest land to the east of the lake area adds 54,000 more wilderness acres. And it’s all scarcely 90 minutes from the Eastern Panhandle.
We began our getaway visit with a plunge into wilderness, searching out the four waterfalls in Swallow Falls State Park located not on the lake but on the Youghiogheny River along with other forest areas. Unfortunately, it’s been a dry end-of-summer and only the highest of the four — Muddy Falls at 53 feet — was rushing in a spectacular fashion over the rocks. We wrestled with inadequate signage and maps to visit three of the four falls, and once we’d figured out how it all fit together, helped guide other hikers we met along the trails. Impressive boulders fill the various streams. The park was once a legendary pioneer hunting area and the virgin hemlock and white pine forests that we walked through to find the falls were magical.
Swallow Falls is easily identifiable by Swallow Rock, a marvelously weathered pillar standing adjacent to the falls. We bypassed Lower Falls, warned away by fellow hikers but did make the trek to Tolliver Falls, barely a ripple over rocks in this season.
The Hogan administration has proposed rules that would prohibit the gas-drilling technique known as fracking within 2,000 feet of a private drinking water well, require steel casings around gas bores to a depth of 100 feet, and require energy companies to replace any water supply that is contaminated by the practice.
The Maryland Department of the Environment submitted the measures Monday to a legislative committee that reviews regulations, a year before a state ban on fracking ends.
The plan was unveiled five days ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline set by lawmakers for the rules to be formally adopted. Department of the Environment officials now expect the approval process to finish by the end of the year instead.
Secretary Ben Grumbles said the rules “will be the most stringent and protective environmental shale regulations in the country.”
Front row 5BR 5.5BA chalet in Highline, boasting HUGE views of Deep Creek Lake and surrounding mountains!
Walking distance to ski slopes!
Highline Drive
This home is packed full of features you will love: multiple stone fireplaces & living areas, mud-room, gourmet kitchen, game room, screened porch, spacious decking & hot tub.
Must see!
This is a Taylor-Made rental- Mountain Rendezvous! For a 3-D tour and more, click here.
Things are changing in Maryland! Next year, Gov. Hogan will be requiring all public schools to begin classes AFTER Labor Day.
Why?
Maryland is filled with tourism opportunities, such as Deep Creek Lake and Ocean City. By extending the start of school, this allows people to vacation more therefore helping the local economy.
My personal assistant, Ally, recently spent a weekend here at the lake with her family. Being one of the last weekends before school starts, the lake was so busy!
However, mixed with the perfect weather- it was a great opportunity for a photo shoot.
Check out some of the shots she got last weekend!
There were a few quick storms but it made for some awesome clouds!
And the weekend ended with a beautiful sunset.
Thanks Deep Creek Lake for being so good to us this summer!
