When my husband Dean and I hear a couple of hike that gives unimaginable panoramas, scenic footbridges, a lake with the bluest water within the state, and hardly a non-photogenic view in sight (that final one is for me), we’re all in.
That’s precisely how the Lakeside Loop hike at Rocky Gap State Park is described. Rocky Hole State Park is a 3,000-acre public recreation space in Flintstone, Maryland. The Lakeside Loop is a 5.3-mile mountain climbing path that encircles the attractive 243-acre Lake Habeeb. Positioned within the western “Mountain Side of Maryland,” this hike lives as much as its status.
Listed here are my prime tricks to get probably the most from this hike.
1. Arrive Early
As soon as once more, being early risers labored to our benefit. We acquired to the park at 8:45 a.m., able to go. Consequently, we had a personal hike for the primary hour or so.
Professional Tip: That is frequent sense mountain climbing, however make sure to deliver water and a snack or path combine with you. This hike is longer than 5 miles, so that you would possibly want a refreshment.
The customer middle at Rocky Hole State Park
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
2. Cease By The Customer Middle
If you’re lucky, once you go to the customer middle at 8:45 a.m. and discover out they don’t open till 9:00 a.m., a sort park ranger will open the door to ask if he may help you. We requested him if there have been any situations (muddy, washouts, and many others.) on the Lakeside Loop that we must always find out about. There weren’t, so we grabbed a map and set out.
3. Ignore The On line casino
We learn on-line forward of time that Rocky Hole On line casino Resort (privately owned) makes its house on the shores of Lake Habeeb, so we weren’t shocked to see it (however frankly, it’s nonetheless slightly jarring). To us, it appeared misplaced. To their credit score, it wasn’t gaudy or obnoxiously lit up (in fact, we have been there through the day) and the design blended, as finest it may, into the environment.
Early within the hike, we may hear the on line casino music blaring and it did detract considerably from the setting, however quickly we have been out of earshot and pure sounds trumped the on line casino noise.
Getting began on the Lakeside Loop
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
4. Get Your Bearings
We selected to do the hike clockwise, so we acquired the much less fascinating (to us) on line casino views out of the way in which first. We began on the customer middle, walked to the seaside, and took the trail west, following the orange blaze marked path, across the lake.
Professional Tip: The Lakeside Loop is a average hike, which suggests encountering some slender paths, roots, and rocks. We additionally had one flooded, however very shallow footbridge to cross. I feel this hike is rated “average” largely due to the size. Additionally, that is black bear nation, so bear in mind frequent suggestions as you hike.
Daylight glints on American Lotus
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
5. Discover The Glowing Solar
That is the great that comes from an early-morning hike. The daylight glinted on American lotus (I assumed they have been lily pads at first) like diamonds, reworking them from frequent and odd to one thing really radiant and particular.
Photogenic views in every single place
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
6. Take pleasure in The Expansive Lake Views
The outline is true. As you hike round this lake, there’s hardly a non-photogenic view, and I took full benefit of it. We occurred to have a picture-perfect day, which didn’t harm both!
A peaceable spot for contemplation, reflection, or to ponder your on line casino losses
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
7. Replicate Whereas Sitting On A Bench
If you happen to want a breather or a snack, take a break and luxuriate in one of many park benches alongside the way in which. Dean urged this may be a spot the place of us who spent an excessive amount of time on the on line casino contemplate the state of their new monetary scenario.
The Tuscarora sandstone gorge
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
8. The Tuscarora Sandstone Gorge
Whereas different softer types of rock, like limestone and shale, have eroded over time, an indication at this spot on the hike advised us that the hardness of Tuscarora sandstone makes it proof against erosion, which is why there’s such a powerful gorge at Rocky Hole.
The gazebo is a good spot to take pleasure in a picnic lunch.
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
9. Take pleasure in A Picnic Lunch At The Gazebo
We completed our hike earlier than lunch, but when your timing works, this gazebo is a good spot to take pleasure in a picnic lunch that you just carry in. That is in the identical space because the gorge, so there are many nice views right here.
10. Don’t Be Fooled By The View
The lake is curvy and stuffed with inlets and bays. Greater than as soon as as we hiked alongside, I used to be satisfied we have been on the midway level as a result of it regarded like we have been straight throughout from the customer’s middle. Greater than as soon as, I used to be flawed. Across the subsequent bend within the path was one other bend, after which one more bend. There aren’t any shortcuts on this 5.3-mile hike — except you might be up for a swim.
A cathedral of pine timber on the Lakeside Loop hike
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
11. Respect The Selection On The Path
Components of the path are alongside a sidewalk (the half by the on line casino), some are filth paths and slender, there are a couple of gentle inclines, and different elements are over footbridges. There’s quite a bit to like, however listed here are two of my favourite elements of the path.
Strolling By way of A Cathedral Of Timber
I liked two distinct areas on the northeast facet of the lake that fashioned a veritable “cathedral of pine timber.” The path right here was cushioned with fallen pine needles and the timber towered overhead. It’s a regal feeling to stroll on this area. Spectacular.
Orange mushrooms on the mountain climbing path
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
Hike Amongst Orange Mushrooms
I don’t assume I’ve ever seen a cluster of orange mushrooms, a lot much less on a mountain climbing path. Internet analysis advised me they’re (appropriately) referred to as the Jap American Jack ‘O Lantern selection. I’m certain this can be a seasonal factor, however I liked seeing this shiny splash of bizarre colour on the path.
Wild teasel add sudden magnificence
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
12. Observe The Attractive Timber And Vegetation
We noticed a mixture of curious, lovely timber and vegetation on this hike. Chestnut timber, hemlocks, rhododendron, mountain laurel, and grapevines. Because of the free Seek app by iNaturalist, I can inform you we noticed frequent jewelweed (orange and yellow cone flowers), reddening lepiota (white and brown noticed mushrooms), and wild teasel (brown cone shapes) that have been previous flowering however nonetheless fascinating and wonderful.
Even the butterflies have been enjoyable to look at
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
13. Watch The Wildlife
We noticed geese on the lake at varied factors in our hike, and it was calming to look at them float and feed. We additionally noticed these lovely orange butterflies (the Search app tells me they’re Nice Spangled Fritillary). They have been enjoyable to look at, and we have been shocked at how shut they might allow us to get with out flying away.
Two fishermen on the shores of Lake Habeeb
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
14. Attempt Your Hand At Fishing
An indication advised us that Lake Habeeb is house to brown trout, rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. On our hike, we noticed a fishing pier on the far west finish of the lake and a few fishermen angling from shore on the jap facet.
The view from the Canyon Overlook Path
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
15. Hike On Canyon Overlook Path
Feeling formidable? Take the Canyon Overlook Path one-quarter of a mile as much as an expansive canyon view on the southwest finish of the park. We have been anticipating the canyon to show extra of the Tuscarora sandstone we had seen earlier, however as an alternative, it was closely wooded. We imagined in a couple of weeks, it could be resplendent with fall colour.
Professional Tip: The Canyon Overlook Path doesn’t intersect with the Lakeside Loop Path. We drove to a separate trailhead to hike this path.
Different Out of doors Choices At Rocky Hole
Play A Spherical Of Golf
If mountain climbing will not be your factor, the Rocky Gap Golf Course may be. Play 18 holes in a serene, mountain and lakeside setting (minus the on line casino). That is Maryland’s solely Jack Nicklaus Design Golf Course. Lease golf equipment and luxuriate in this 7,000-yard, par 72 course that includes a 50-spot driving vary and two placing greens and chipping areas.
Water Sports activities Tools
The customer middle rents equipment together with canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boards. The day we have been there, we noticed a number of kayaks on the lake, in addition to a few folks having fun with SUPs.
A scenic hike round “the bluest lake”
Photograph credit score: Joan Sherman
The Magnificence Of Maryland
Maryland is known for big-city Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay, the army renown of Annapolis, and blue crab deliciousness, however Rocky Hole State Park, on “The Mountain Facet of Maryland,” has quite a bit to supply. What a phenomenal and different state! The hikes round lovely Lake Habeeb and as much as the Canyon overlook are a beautiful technique to benefit from the pure great thing about this wonderful space.
Professional Tip: There’s a day-use admission fee to entry Rocky Hole State Park.
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