Author: Carol Calhoun

January 20 Snow Report for Deep Creek Lake Area

Carol Calhoun Snow Report, uncategorized

Temperatures have dropped again and heading down down down to 1 degree Friday morning. Then temps will moderate for the weekend with mid 20’s highs and teens lows. Next week cold weather and more snow. We are in great shape for tours! The slight thaw and then refreeze has solidified the base of about 6-8 inches and will make a great bottom layer for more snow on top.

Longer term forecasts suggest cold winter weather will continue for the 30 days! Book your snowshoeing tours early we only take about 12-15 guests per day.

Call 301-746-4083


JANUARY 19TH TOUR

Keep in mind precautions protecting exposed flesh in sub zero weather. Wind chill chart.

Local Deep Creek Lake Weather Links – Maps and Forecast

Book your snowshoeing tours! We are open!!!!!

Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County Highway Webcams

 

January 17th Snow Report for Deep Creek Lake Area

Carol Calhoun Snow Report , ,

BEST PART IS ~ SNOW IS IN THE FORECAST EVERYDAY NEXT WEEK! There’s even an arctic vortex potentially swooping in Friday with sub zero temps. However the weekend of the 22nd & 23rd is looking gentler with mid 20’s during the day. It’s setting up for a great ‘next’ weekend! and superb midweek conditions. And cold weather in the long term looks cold and great as well!!!

The snowy the better. Blizzard conditions won’t cancel the tour if we can get there safely! Fun and adventure in windy frigid temps requires some extra clothing such as; knit hats for sure- face masks/scarves, goggles, wind pants and wind jackets with multiple layers underneath top and bottom. Mittens best and for kids, good mittens not el-cheapos. Keep in mind precautions protecting exposed flesh in sub zero weather. Wind chill chart.

Local Deep Creek Lake Weather Links – Maps and Forecast

Book your snowshoeing tours! We are open!!!!!

Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County Highway Webcams

snowshoeing
Snow pockets maintain snow depth because of their unique exposure.

*Snow Pocket: A local gem, off-the-beaten-path spot where the snow lies deep. Over the past 20 years offering snowshoeing trips we have discovered the local geographical locations where the exposure and topography combine to create mini micro climates. I our case, here in Garrett County we are adjacent to the Cranesville Sub Arctic Swamp where you will find a northern arboreal forest plant and annual community similar to the ecology found in far northern Canada. This is caused by a unique geography where the elevation and shape of the mountains creates an extra snowy and cold micro climate. This unique geography and extra cold temperatures is why these plants and animals stayed after the ice age.

We know several fantastic places where there are north facing slopes and protected areas where the snow drifts and lies extra deep. The back country of Swallow Falls is such a place. One 0f our other special areas will hold and maintain a snow pack for weeks after most of the snow has disappeared elsewhere. In fact you can sometimes drive there and see no snow anywhere until you come over the mountain.

 

Sunday January 16th Snow Report

Carol Calhoun Snow Report, uncategorized
Sunday January 16th Snow Report

Big storm a coming! 12-18″ inches of snow  the forecast and cold weather continuing through next week! We will be updating our snow report with post storm totals. Real winter is apparently here, yippiee!

Local Weather Links – Maps and Forecast

Book your snowshoeing tours! We are open!!!!!

Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County Highway Webcams

January 12th Snow Report Deep Creek Lake Area

Carol Calhoun Snow Report

Big thaw after the storm and we lost most all snow. Some crusty ice remains. Winter is coming back and there is a possibility of snow Thursday and Friday and a winter storm Sunday night, followed by snow early in the week. The best news is temperatures are going to stay cold for awhile, So any snow that does fall will stay. The forest will be beautiful regardless.

As far as snowshoeing we are bringing them to all hikes hoping it is practical to use them. We always have a great time with or without them. Our guides work hard to share interesting information and have fun.

The conditions are so variable based on elevation, location and exposure it’s very hard for us to know exactly what to expect. We are hoping snow will continue to stick on the north slopes and in the Swallow Falls back country. So trips will definitely be very scenic in our winter wonderland hidden areas.  The park trails continue to be very crowded on weekends so we are avoiding the trail system as much as possible.

Our county continues to be at a high or severe Covid risk. Please protect yourself and others by masking up indoors in public spaces.

Saturday the 16th hike has a few spaces left, Sunday has more openings still available. A trip will be offered Monday if there is interest. Please call us at 301-746-4083 for info and to make reservations. Trips are usually from 10am until Noon. Mid week tours may be available as well.

ACCUWEATHER  FORECAST

SNOWSHOEING TOUR INFORMATION PAGE

Link To Our Weather Page – Here you will find our favorite weather web links and webcams for the Deep Creek Lake and Surrounding Area.

January 7th Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, Weather Links
January 7th Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

Well helllooo! everyone! Good news to report. We got 6-10 inches and are open for snowshoeing. Saturday we are offering our two hour tour at 10:00 am and we will open a 1:00PM tour if we get enough folks.

Sunday we are offering the tour at 9:00AM to try and get it in before rain moves in.

Link To Our Weather Page – Here you will find our favorite weather web links and webcams for the Deep Creek Lake and Surrounding Area.

Conditions are suitable especially since the 6-10 inches snow fell on frozen ground. It should be very scenic and beautiful in the forest and at the waterfalls. It won’t be ideal but we will take what we can get!

Forecast: Next week there is some snow in the forecast. And some frigid weather will freeze up what’s left of the snowpack after Sunday afternoon rain. We are very confident we will be snowshoeing next weekend and currently we are accepting reservations for tours Monday through Friday as well.

Early season is a good time to catch otter tracks and bear tracks!

January 5th, Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, uncategorized
January 5th, Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Area

Hello everyone. It’s about time. Here is our first snow report! Whoppie!

A storm event is coming through Thursday and may leave 4-8″ by Friday. Weather appears fairly unstable after that for Sunday with some afternoon rain moving in. The hopeful part is the ground is pretty frozen so what falls could start a base. Monday gets could again with snow showers and colder more seasonal weather appears to be moving in later next week. Throw in some precipitation and winter could be back? Stay tuned here for the storm outcome and next week right here to see where we are at and what’s up.

weather forecast for Deep Creek Lake
Accuweather Screen Capture, McHenry Maryland – January 7th Forecast

Nevertheless our guided hikes for Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning should be very beautiful with the forest covered in snow. A journey into our very special backcountry areas will definitely provide superb picture taking and oohing and awwwing.  Swallow Falls has been very crowded on weekends. We will be avoiding the main trails as usual in the interest of safety. Currently our region is at severe covid risk and our Governor has declared a state of emergency. Be safe out there folks.

Guide and photographer Crede Calhoun loves getting folks fired up about nature photography!

Link To Our Weather Page – Here you will find our favorite weather web links and webcams for the Deep Creek Lake and Surrounding Area.

A few inches of snow always makes for a scenic winter adventure with or without snowshoes.

 

 

Later Fall Hiking Tours

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, uncategorized

Having some great fall and late fall hiking tours as we approach winter. This week we had the pleasure of guiding a nice family from New Jersey on our 2 hour Swallow Falls Nature Walk. (See photos below) David and Christina had bought the kids digital cameras for their triplets, Emily, Sarah and Katie, It was fun blending in some photo work shop learning on the hike and kids really got into it and exploring the lighting. Grandma Sherri joined the hike too.

Weather was chilly and and you needed gloves and warm clothes. Remember folks, weather in our mountains is chilly. Especially at Swallow Falls which can be extra cold due to its proximity to the Cranesville Sub Artic Swamp. Prepare for winter from now on out. Hard frosts are almost every night.

However this weather makes for wonderful hiking if you are properly dressed.

2022 Snow Report Information

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report

Hello folks! As soon as weather starts to look snowy this page will start to get updated regularly. STAY TUNED. You are always welcome to call for the latest information on conditions currently and upcoming forecasts. You can make a reservation for your desired date and then you will be assured of participating in a tour. Last year we turned away a lot of folks because of limits on our trip size. We want to preserve the wild feel of our tours so we do limit the group size to 15.

Deep Creek Lake Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Tours Information

Here is our favorite weather link.

Deep Creek Lake – Garrett County current

Carol Calhoun COVID 19

Hello fellow outdoors people! Thankfully outdoor activities are relatively safe especially if basic pandemic safety is observed. Current Covid19 Statistics in Garret County and the Deep Creek Lake area are some the worst in the state. A little physical distance and mask up when right beside someone who is not in your circle. The Delta Variant is in the county and the Covid 19 numbers as of 10/30/21 from the Garrett County Health Department are in the graphic. Our area is considered high risk.

10/30/21 Garrett County COVID19 Statistics

We are still being careful and asking guests to bring a mask. We do inquire about your vaccination status and the guide may ask everyone to mask up. It is at the trip leader/guides discretion and participants are required to follow guide instructions to stay happy and healthy. Current policy is be careful.

November and December is great hiking weather. It’s chilly and brisk and enchanting to experience the change of seasons. Might even get a dusting of snow. Call us if you have any questions about guide hiking tours and walks  in Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area.

August 21st Covid Policy Update

Carol Calhoun COVID 19, uncategorized

In keeping with current current rate of INCREASING positivity in Garrett County, low local vaccination rates and the arrival of the Delta Variant we are requiring EVERYONE to wear a mask when checking in and while on shore. Once on the water masks may be removed. We are asking guests to maintain suitable distance while on the water, especially with Non associated groups.

GARRETT COUNTY COVID INFORMATION UPDATED 8/21/21

Garrett County Health Department
August 21st Update
Garrett County Vaccination Rate (ages 12 and up) 47%

Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake Covid Latest Information