Author: Carol Calhoun

Guided Hikes at Swallow Falls

Carol Calhoun Hiking News
Guided Hikes at Swallow Falls
Guided hikes Deep Creek Lake
Take time to get outside and play! Nature has a miraculous ability to provide your immune system with a boost and fight stress. Both key elements in overall health and staying strong and healthy.

Our guided hikes at Swallow Falls have been going well. The park has been really crowded even on weekdays so we have been trying to maximize our time in the more remote corners of the park where we can find some solitude with your group.

FALL HIKING TOUR RATES AND INFORMATION

Guided hikes in Garrett County Maryland
We have been exploring the areas around the main park trail system for many years. We’ve got you covered as far as avoiding the crowds.

We do require masks be worn while we hike in a single file. Please feel free to bring small daypacks with snacks and water. After December 20th our hikes (if we are not snowshoeing by then) convert to Winter Hikes and are $30 per person (under 18 $20), and we provide hot coco and cookies!

Adequate footwear is required if conditions are wet. This just means shoes with some form of tread. Where we go can be a little rugged and you need a little support and traction. Any group can visit the park on the well traveled and mostly graveled trails, so we make special effort to give you a special treat by exploring areas off-the-beaten-path. This also helps maintain great social distancing with other park visitors.

Call us at 301-746-4083 if you want to take a hike with us or discuss the possibilities. Sometimes we can accommodate same day bookings, but it’s always best to book in advance. We much prefer to start the hikes at 9am.

Best hiking in Deep Creek Lake
Explore, discover and learn while having fun in the great outdoors with All Earth Eco Tours.

Here are some links to outdoor resources for hikers and visitors to Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County, MD.

FALL HIKING TOURS

Carol Calhoun Hiking News

This autumn we will be offering our hiking tours to Swallow Falls and The Youghioheny Wild and Scenic River Corridor. In addition we offer custom hikes to the Middle Fork of The Savage Wildlands , Cranesville Swamp Backcountry, Big Savage Mountain Climb and Lost Lands.

COVID 19: Masks are worn when walking or snowshoeing on trails in a single file line. When we stop for a nature moment or fun learning we can spread out a little and pull masks down.

Families enjoy our hikes because they learn about the park and ecology and the inside scoop on the Deep Creek Lake area from a local guide.

Call us to schedule a hike. Guide Fee/Rates vary based on tour length and trail location. 301-746-4083

Current Garrett County Maryland -Deep Creek Lake – Covid 19 – Guidelines & Orders

Carol Calhoun COVID 19
Kayaker in western Maryland - COVID 19

western Maryland COVID-19 Visitor Information~

We are continuing to practice our full Covid safety procedures on our Eco Tours until this situation is cleared up. Take Pledge to Prevent.

We will take precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. By following the guidelines recommended by the CDC, we can do our part to stay safe and keep our doors open. Please do your part too.

Current COVID 19 All Earth Eco Tour Policies

  • reducing trip sizes
  • cleaning of equipment following CDC guidelines
  • proper masking when in close contact (within 6ft) or walking in a line such as hiking or snowshoeing on a trail. If you feel safest wearing your mask the entire activity we will support you 100%.
  • maintaining social distance with other groups on the tour

Current Garrett County and Maryland COVID 19 Details: (as of 9/11/20)

The Information below is from the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.

Maryland Governor Hogan has lifted the stay-at-home order and the ban on non-essential travel for the state of Maryland as of Friday, May 15, 2020 at 5 pm. Transient vacation rentals in Garrett County resumed operation as of May 14, 2020. There is no longer a limit on social gatherings but the Governor’s office has released social gathering guidance. Certain venues may still have group size limitations; please check with your venue to determine what restrictions may be in place.  We ask that you follow all proper protocols and regulations when visiting area businesses.   The County asks that guests to Garrett County: • Bring grocery items, paper and cleaning products with them since there may be local shortages of certain products due to the current pandemic.
• Please practice social distancing while visiting Garrett County.
• A face mask is required in all indoor establishments (including the public spaces of all businesses) and in outdoor public areas where distancing is not possible. 
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when visiting indoor establishments.
• If you feel ill with COVID-19 symptoms please self-isolate.
• If you have questions regarding COVID-19 while visiting Garrett County, you can call the Garrett County COVID-19 Hotline at 301.334.7698.
• Please notify the property manager or owner of your rental property if you test positive for COVID-19 or develop signs and symptoms of the virus before checking out so that housekeeping staff, and the Garrett County Health Department, can be notified promptly.

COVID 19 Tour Precautions

Carol Calhoun COVID 19

We take COVID 19 very seriously and are pretty strict about how our outdoor tours and educational programs are structured to minimize the risk of transmission. We sanitize boats and paddles and fully wash life jackets everyday. If you think there is any chance you or someone in your group is not feeling well or has been exposed to COVID 19 please refrain from making reservations.

Covid Safe Outdoor Adventures
We do our very best to keep you safe and minimize the potential for transmission.
Kayak Tours
  • Groups are kept socially distanced from other groups on dry land and during launching and returning to shore. On the water and shore we ask that groups and individuals respect each others space and be wary of drifting into others.
  • Your guide may ask participants to wear masks during the brief dry land kayak instruction.
  • Masks are expected to be worn correctly on arrival and check in and during any time guides come close to your group for the signing of release forms, the handing out of life jackets and paddles and during launching and returning to shore and while we offer your groups to-go drinks and snacks at the end.
  • Masks are carried in your life jacket pocket or worn (optional) wile kayaking and if during the tour we need to assist you or adjust your boat and come near you will be asked to mask up and your guide will mask up too.
  • Anyone not abiding by our mask policies or requests will be refused service – no exceptions – no refunds.

Birds of Prey Program

  • We accept a maximum of 11-12 groups at our Birds of Prey.
  • Reservations are Required – No Exceptions – Last minute reservation requests should be sought by 9am the day of the show. 301-746-4083.
  • Each group has a picnic table that is 6 feet from the adjacent table/group.
  • MASKS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE PROGRAM – and they must be worn correctly. If you need a break from your mask you will be required to move a minimum of 100 feet away from the program space.
  • The Program Presentors will stay 6 ft from you and may pull their mask down when speaking.
  • Program Presentors will bring birds in for a closer look and will mask up when they get within 6ft.
  • Individuals and couples may be asked to bring chairs if they have them.