Author: Carol Calhoun
Spring 2021 Covid Update
KAYAKING TOUR: YOU MUST BRING A MASK FOR USE BY EVERYONE IN YOUR GROUP. So far 100% of the adults on our tours have been vaccinated. However this is an honor system. Kids are still not vaccinated so in respect to them we want everyone to have a mask with them and to stay at least 6 feet away from kids not in your group. Guides mask up when close to unvaccinated kids. We want folks to have their masks in their lifejacket pockets in case we have an emergency that requires us to get close to each other.
On hikes and other programs we require everyone to have masks and wear tem when close together. When adequate spacing can be maintained masks can be pulled down.
Our general feelings as of April 1st, is that we still do not know how this pandemic will play out this summer. Uncertainty seems to be the hallmark of this situation. We attract visitors from all over. Please be careful when out and about. More infectious and dangerous variants are in the United States. We intend to be cautious and conscientious. Our boat touch services and paddles will continue to be cleaned with CDC approved cleaners after every kayak tour. Stay safe everyone!
March 20 Snow Report
Last snow report of the year! Unless….we get a dump of 12″ or more.
What an amazing year it was! Spring is springing. We actually have some snow but it is too spotty.
Guided hikes are available and they do include on and off trail explorations in a variety of scenic locations. Wild flower season is coming to the Youghiogheny Wild River and Natural Area. Stay tuned to our facebook and instagram for spring programs like wild flower walks and reptile seeking adventures wit the Feral Nut when weather warms for our scaley freinds.
We will see you next year!
March 8th Snowshoeing Report
Well folks…conditions held the weekend of March 6th and 7th and were some of the best spring snowshoeing in years. The hard snow makes travel in the backcountry super easy and you can scamper about anywhere. The ease of climbing and descending with our mountaineering MSR snowshoes makes tackling rugged terrain part of the fun!
As far as next weekend a big thaw is brewing midweek but not coming with much rain. There will be some melt with the warm nights and ‘possible’ showers appearing. Shade temepratures will stay cool and cold nights next weekend might deliver more good conditions for snowshoeing.
If any snow remains after the weekend of March 13th and 14th cold nights and some snow returns to the forecast. Could it possible we’ll make it to April?
Make reservations and you can always convert your snowshoeing tour to a special backcountry guided hike ($10 discount) or cancel (24 notice required for refund).
We will be monitoring the weather closely and check our FACEBOOK page for updates as the weekend approaches.
Saturday and Sunday have space. Call 301-746-4083 for latest and to make reservations.
Tour Slideshow from March 7th- (may take time to load)
March 3rd Snowshoeing Report
Awesome tour Tuesday after the thaw! Private couple tour with Hillary and Ben (pictured below). Good time with good people. We keep attracting such wonderful guests.
Our snow pocket on the north slope set up overnight and delivered sublime spring conditions where we bushwhack everywhere but the snowshoes don’t sink in requiring us to break and pack trail. Conditions will remain good for a few more weeks unless it gets really warm. Cold nights in the forecast will keep things nice. No rain 🌧 coming. Yeah.
Stay tuned for the latest reports and trip photos.
Saturday the 6th is full and Sunday 7th has two spaces open. Midweek tours are available. FOLLOWING weekend is booking. Trying to put together a Friday the 5th 10am trip if anyone’s interested. Call 301-746-4083
Links to our favorite weather and local web cams. Please note: As spring progresses more and more snow will disappear and vanish all round the lake. HOWEVER- The special north slope where we offer tours will hold snow for a quite awhile. In fact we may get a situation where you will drive the entire way to our meeting place and see NO snow until you get there.
The best snow season in years is ending with a great spring snowpack (depending on exposure) of 6-24”. When you make your business with snow you figure out where it is deep and protected. Come join us as this great winter slips slowly away!
March 2nd Snow Report
We are still offering snowshoeing tours with very good conditions. We have however moved tours back to our secret snow stash on the north slopes near Cranesville (10-15 minutes past Swallow Falls). There is still 1-2ft. of snow pack despite the the big thaw. In fact as the days progress you probably will see no snow around the lake but we will still have great snowshoeing at our snow stash. Stay tuned for snow and tour updates.
We are predicting at least being able to offer tours through the third week of March. If we get some snow? Who knows – maybe into April.
Cold nights will preserve the base for quite awhile and no big thaws with rain are around the corner.
Photos from Monday March 1st.
February 28th Snowshoeing and Trip Report
Weekend Trips went great! Plenty of snow. We are going to Snaggy Mountain on Monday to dig out the parking area and we are VERY CONFIDENT it is still holding snow. Forr the very latest it’s always best to call us. We do try and post conditions updates on our facebook page as well as here on our web site.
Big thaw will disappear much of the snow around the parking areas at Swallow Falls (and all around the lake, south slopes snow will be gone) so we will be moving to Snaggy Mountain again. This is our secret snow stash. The base there is subsrtantial and we are anticipating tours through mid March. Monday afternoon March 1st is going to turn very cold so the base will set up and make for some good snowshoeing. A trip is going out Tuesday.
Accuweather Daily Extended Forecast is not showing much rain coming (if any) and cold nights to freeze up the base each night. Warmer days will make for excellent spring snowshoeing atop a very solid base. The north slope of Snaggy Mountain will endure some warming especially with below freezing nights.
For the latest call us at 301-746-4083
Our Favorite Web Cam and Weather Links
Slideshow Above from From Swallow Falls – Friday the 26th and Saturday the 27th
February 25th Snowshoeing Snow Report
Conditions are remaining excellent despite the the slight thawing. We are still buried in the deepest snowpack in many years. The depth of the snowpack will provide several more weeks of snowshoeing tours. We have our secret north slope just waiting once Swallow Falls starts to melt off. Our estimate is at least mid March for snowshoeing if not to April 1st. Things depend on how the spring arrives. Currently the forecast has some warming days but cold nights which will help solidify and preserve the snowpack. Spring snowshoeing can be quite enjoyable!
Our Favorite Local Weather Links and Web Cams
For this coming weekend of the 27th and 28th- Friday will come in with some snow and only light rain is in the forecast. We do run the tours in all weather and a light rain will not deter us from having fun. Make reservations into the spring and if the snow vanishes we convert the tour to great guided hike.
For now the weather is hanging on and cold nights will keep us snowshoeing for a few more weeks..
Photos from tours this past week.
February 16th Snow Report
Winter continues to roar like a lion and conditions continue to get better and better.
We are expecting a foot of new snow by the weekend of the 20th. More snow after that!
Trips are filling but we do have a few spots still open. Sunday the 21st has the most space. We are trying to take full advantage of the superb conditions. Mid week tours going out. Space is limited. Full Covid Consciousness. Drive carefully.
Weather Links and Local Webcams
We will be offering snowshoeing tours almost any day well into March! A winter to remember? Let’s hope not! Call for info.
Pictures from the Weekend of 13th and 14th.
February 11th Snowshoeing Report
More more and more snow keeps falling and piling up. Forecast through this month and into March….More Snow and COLD! Best snowshoeing and cross country skiing in years and the Wisp of course has excellent conditions. Frigid temperatures that were in the forecast now are forecasting cold but not as frigid. This weekend will be excellent, superb!
The way things are going we will have snowshoeing well into March and maybe April!
We have a few spaces on tours this weekend!
Monday has lots of space. Call us at 301-746-4083
Our Favorite Links to Deep Creek Lake Webcams, and Local Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake Weather.
