When my husband Dean and I hear a few hike that provides unbelievable 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 popularity.
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 obtained to the park at 8:45 a.m., able to go. In consequence, we had a personal hike for the primary hour or so.
Professional Tip: That is frequent sense mountain climbing, however be sure you convey 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 heart at Rocky Hole State Park
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
2. Cease By The Customer Middle
If you’re lucky, while you go to the customer heart at 8:45 a.m. and discover out they don’t open till 9:00 a.m., a form park ranger will open the door to ask if he will help you. We requested him if there have been any situations (muddy, washouts, and so forth.) 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 dwelling on the shores of Lake Habeeb, so we weren’t shocked to see it (however frankly, it’s nonetheless a little bit jarring). To us, it appeared misplaced. To their credit score, it wasn’t gaudy or obnoxiously lit up (in fact, we had 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 had been out of earshot and pure sounds trumped the on line casino noise.
Getting began on the Lakeside Loop
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
4. Get Your Bearings
We selected to do the hike clockwise, so we obtained the much less fascinating (to us) on line casino views out of the best way first. We began on the customer heart, 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 reasonable hike, which implies encountering some slim paths, roots, and rocks. We additionally had one flooded, however very shallow footbridge to cross. I feel this hike is rated “reasonable” largely due to the size. Additionally, that is black bear nation, so keep in mind frequent suggestions as you hike.
Daylight glints on American Lotus
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
5. Discover The Glowing Solar
That is the nice that comes from an early-morning hike. The daylight glinted on American lotus (I assumed they had been lily pads at first) like diamonds, remodeling them from frequent and peculiar to one thing actually radiant and particular.
Photogenic views in every single place
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
6. Take pleasure in The Expansive Lake Views
The outline is correct. 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
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
7. Mirror Whereas Sitting On A Bench
In the event you want a breather or a snack, take a break and revel in one of many park benches alongside the best way. Dean advised this could be a spot the place of us who spent an excessive amount of time on the on line casino take into account the state of their new monetary scenario.
The Tuscarora sandstone gorge
Picture 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 an impressive gorge at Rocky Hole.
The gazebo is a good spot to take pleasure in a picnic lunch.
Picture 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 simply 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 filled with inlets and bays. Greater than as soon as as we hiked alongside, I used to be satisfied we had been on the midway level as a result of it regarded like we had been straight throughout from the customer’s heart. Greater than as soon as, I used to be mistaken. Across the subsequent bend within the path was one other bend, after which yet one more bend. There are not any shortcuts on this 5.3-mile hike — except you might be up for a swim.
A cathedral of pine bushes on the Lakeside Loop hike
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
11. Admire The Selection On The Path
Components of the path are alongside a sidewalk (the half by the on line casino), some are dust paths and slim, there are a number of gentle inclines, and different elements are over footbridges. There’s lots to like, however listed here are two of my favourite elements of the path.
Strolling Via A Cathedral Of Bushes
I liked two distinct areas on the northeast facet of the lake that shaped a veritable “cathedral of pine bushes.” The path right here was cushioned with fallen pine needles and the bushes towered overhead. It’s a regal feeling to stroll on this house. Spectacular.
Orange mushrooms on the mountain climbing path
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
Hike Amongst Orange Mushrooms
I don’t suppose I’ve ever seen a cluster of orange mushrooms, a lot much less on a mountain climbing path. Net analysis advised me they’re (appropriately) known as the Japanese American Jack ‘O Lantern selection. I’m positive this can be a seasonal factor, however I liked seeing this vibrant splash of bizarre shade on the path.
Wild teasel add sudden magnificence
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
12. Notice The Attractive Bushes And Crops
We noticed a mixture of curious, stunning bushes and crops on this hike. Chestnut bushes, hemlocks, rhododendron, mountain laurel, and grapevines. Because of the free Seek app by iNaturalist, I can let you know we noticed frequent jewelweed (orange and yellow cone flowers), reddening lepiota (white and brown noticed mushrooms), and wild teasel (brown cone shapes) that had been previous flowering however nonetheless fascinating and beautiful.
Even the butterflies had been enjoyable to look at
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
13. Watch The Wildlife
We noticed geese on the lake at numerous factors in our hike, and it was calming to look at them float and feed. We additionally noticed these stunning orange butterflies (the Search app tells me they’re Nice Spangled Fritillary). They had been enjoyable to look at, and we had been shocked at how shut they might allow us to get with out flying away.
Two fishermen on the shores of Lake Habeeb
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
14. Attempt Your Hand At Fishing
An indication advised us that Lake Habeeb is dwelling 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 japanese facet.
The view from the Canyon Overlook Path
Picture 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 had 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 number of weeks, it will be resplendent with fall shade.
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 just isn’t your factor, the Rocky Gap Golf Course could be. Play 18 holes in a serene, mountain and lakeside atmosphere (minus the on line casino). That is Maryland’s solely Jack Nicklaus Design Golf Course. Lease golf equipment and revel in this 7,000-yard, par 72 course that incorporates a 50-spot driving vary and two placing greens and chipping areas.
Water Sports activities Tools
The customer heart rents equipment together with canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boards. The day we had 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”
Picture credit score: Joan Sherman
The Magnificence Of Maryland
Maryland is legendary for big-city Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay, the army renown of Annapolis, and blue crab deliciousness, however Rocky Hole State Park, on “The Mountain Aspect of Maryland,” has lots to supply. What a fantastic and different state! The hikes round stunning Lake Habeeb and as much as the Canyon overlook are a beautiful option 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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