Author: Carol Calhoun

February 9th Snowshoeing Report

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, uncategorized , ,

The winter just keeps getting better. Snow depths are appraoching 24 inches which is opening up a lot of rugged backcountry that is normally inaccessible. This includes what we call the Primal Forest. Extended weather forecasts are calling for more winter and snow. If cold continues we expect to be accessing the Swallow Falls Natural Area which has been isolated for many years because of the bridge washing over the falls.

Winter storm watch this week, possibly another 8 inches. Trips are available midweek and on weekends.

Local Web and Highway Cams and Our Favorite Weather Links

Snowshoe Tour Photos February 5-6th

February 3rd Snowshoeing Reports

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, uncategorized

We are back at Swallow Falls State Park and the conditions are superb. As usual the location is providing some of the finest forest and river scenery found anywhere in the world. The old growth hemlocks and proximity to the sub arctic ecology in Cranesville creates a special environment now loaded with snow.

Winter appears to be holding strong with the Ground Hog coming through for us with his prediction of 6 more weeks of winter!. Snowy March? Possibly. Sometimes March has THE MOST SNOW!!!!

Don’t miss out on this so far epic year of snowshoeing. It’s been 4 years since winter as really kicked in and hung around. Base is deepening so it should hold for even some spring snowshoeing? We shall see.

Weather Cams and Weather Links

FEBRUARY 2ND AND 3RD TOUR PHOTOS

snowshoeing

January 31st Snowshoeing Report

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, uncategorized
January 31st Snowshoeing Report

Holy Deep Creek Lake Snow Storm! SNOWSHOEING TOURS ARE GOING TO BE AMAZING! Conditions are going from great to superb as we are getting dumped on and it looks like the storm totals will easily exceed 12 inches. Snow will now continue through Tuesday! And more snow is coming and next weekend looks very snowy!

We will be moving back to Swallow Falls as conditions steadily improve this week. We’ll be returning to the outstanding snowpack at Snaggy Mountain for when things start to thaw again at the park. Our prediction is that we will have snow through February and into March and maybe….into April!!!! March can bring tons of snow. Normally in a good year Snaggy Mountains north slope will give us two to three weeks of great conditions when the snow is gone EVERYWHERE ELSE! If you are coming in March or April book a tour!

OUR FAVORITE WEATHER LINKS

TOUR PHOTOS FROM FROM FRIDAY AN SATURDAY 1/29 AND 1/30

January 27th Snowshoe Report

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, uncategorized
January 27th Snowshoe Report

An overnight dusting of 1/2 inch of snow and a touch of hoar frost has again decorated the north slope of Snaggy Mtn back into a winter wonderland after the brief thaw yesterday. We keep getting lucky and we’ll take it.

Snow depths are staying strong with about 6-18″ of substantial snow. We are very confident the great snowpack can survive some rain and thawing so it looks like winter hikes will be on snowshoes from here on out! Not exactly sure when we will go back to Swallow Falls since conditions are so superb and it’s so beautiful on the north slopes. February and March can be very wintery and snowy. We shall see.

Lots of mid week tours going out! Come join us.

DeepCreek Lake Weather Links, Web Cams and Maryland State Highway LIVE Cams

Slideshow From Januray 27th Tour

January 24th Snowshoe Tour Report

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report

Another superb weekend of great conditions. A thaw is moving in but it will not affect conditions on the north slopes which will remain very nice. Cold weather returns for our mountain top with cold nights to keep the snowpack safe. Sporadic snow in the forecast this midweek and even some ice so the forest should be gorgeous.

We have a tour going out Thursday January 28th at 10am. Call us if you want to get on. 301-746-4083

Our long term snow report is looking really good with the north slopes really socked in with snow. We are hoping to get back to Swallow Falls State Park soon – but the conditions are so great in Garrett State Forest (15 minutes from Swallow Falls), for awhile longer, tours will be held there near the sub-artic ecosystem of Cranesville Swamp.

Weather looks like it could be a little up and down but no real long warm spells in the forecast yet- so north slopes are in good shape to get well into March if weather cooperates a little. Cold nights help! A storm or two and we should be back at Swallow Falls.

ACCUWEATHER EXTENDED FORECAST

January 24th Tour Photos

January 23rd, Snowshoeing Report

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, uncategorized

It’s getting really great at our tour location. The north slope is really socking in the snow and it’s really the best it has been in 4 years. Getting multiple snows on top of one another is really a nice change from the past few years where the snow and thaw cycle was quick, leaving the ground bare1/2 of the time. This year we actually have a base in some places! And it’s building! We should be good for tours thrugh February and March. March can actually be and historically has been our snowiest month.

January 23rd 2021, Tour Photos

We are hoping to move back to Swallow Falls State Park soon. But, it’s hard to leave the snow depths we are finding near Cranesville. In general there is probably enough snow in most places to xc ski and snowshoe now. Unfortunately the state parks are not renting skis or snowshoes. High Mountain Sports may have snowshoe rentals. The trails at Swallow Falls can be hardpacked and perhaps icy….be careful.

For information on our tours call us at 301-746-4083 and leave a message if we are out. Space is limited to 10 guests per day. Keep thinking snow…it’s working!!!!

January 20th Snowshoeing Report

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report, uncategorized

Conditons are getting really good and we may be moving back to the back country of Swallow Falls. Currently we are enjoying a nice 3-6 hard base and 12-14 inches of fresh snow on the north slopes. See pictures below. Lots of snow today and some in the forecast as well.

Check out our local Deep CReek Lake web cam and weather links page,

Not much more to report on snow. The pictures speak for themselves. This page becomes more of a ‘recent’ trip photo page than a weather page once our season is in full swing with good snow coverage.

January 17th, 2021 Snowshoe Tour Report

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report

Conditions for our tours are very good where we are offering our tours. The north slope is really holding snow great and starting to pile up on the frozen base. Snow is in the forecast so it will just get better and better. Cold weather looks like it sticking around for at least 2-3 weeks.

Make your reservations early we are only taking 10 people per day. Call 301-746-4083

We’ll let the video speak about the conditions. Take good care folks stay safe!!!!

January 16th, Snowshoeing Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Maryland

Carol Calhoun Hiking News, Snow Report
January 16th, Snowshoeing Snow Report – Deep Creek Lake Maryland

Well folks Mother Nature brought a gorgeous fres snow today for the tour. The base as we predicted is holding out on the north slopes. In fact the thaw barely touched the north slope snow pack whch is about 5-6 inches of hard crust. The snowshoes in current conditions are very practical for climbing and descending and keeping your feet from post holing into holes. We had an amazing time! Check out the photos below!

  • Muddy Creek headwaters
  • nothern boreal bog habitat
  • Sheel and Alan!
  • Selfie time in the bog.
  • Father daughter time, Kate and Peter
  • climbing up Snaggy
  • chillin in the bog
  • nice frosty trees
  • Bog time
  • Bet and Brett and Alan and Sheel.
  • Katie in the snowy trees
January 16th Snowshoe Tour

Most everywhere else “on the mountain” the new snow is 2+- inches on no base to speak of. In Friendsville where we live we have no snow. It’s reall apparent rigt now te difference in elevation and exposure for finding good conditions or ANY conditions at all.

Wisp has good snow for snow tubing and downhill skiing.

Best cross country conditions are at White Grass in Canaan Valley.

State Parks still apear to be closed.

WINTER APPEARS TO BE HERE FOR AWHILE – LET’S GO SNOWSHOEING!!!!!!!