Hi all...didn't want to hijack "mrs.vipers...." thread, but got pretty excited when i saw a couple post on riding near DCL. I've never seen ANY post on that before. My family always wants to go there for vaca instead of north Pa because of "other" things the area has to offer. We've stayed at Blakslee & ridden some there, or trailered to DCL State Park & puttered around with the kids...but, my kids are grown now, and WE WANT TO RIDE !!!
But, where in Garret County ?
I'm in the complete opposite end of the state in Cecil County...

Thanks

Hi Indy,

Thanks for starting this thread.

I have done very little riding in DCL, but I have seen others out on my visits there. I have heard that it is possible to ride from Accident to Kitzmiller and Deer Park and possibly north to I 68. There are the obvious state trails which are all quite short nothing compared to Potter. There is no grooming. But you are correct, DCL is a nice place and has a lot to offer the family. The last time I was out in the Wallman area (on an ATV) it looked like there were plenty of local trails leading off of the state lands. I have said for years that the state needs to get a real connecting trail system up there. It would be a boost to tourism ( as if they really need more of that!)

DNR link: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/orv.html

I am interested in a group ride if anyone else is, but we really need a local to guide us around.

ActionJack could probably answer better.

Been waiting for a DCL thread myself. I know lots of people from Pittsburg vacation in DCL and when the winter is good there are plenty of sleds out. Once the lake froze last year it was the best year in the last 5 or more. Last Presidents day weekend was awesome and it snowed almost all weekend adding to 18-24". There is NO grooming anywhere around. There is the beginning of a movement to organize a little better but I am real dubious of its success for too many reasons to go into. If I ever move back there I'm gonna try to advance the ball myself in that regard. Anyway, riding there can be real good farm hopping, some state trails, and the lake of course. Using the lake you can ride to the Pawn Run, JGs Pub, Honi Honi, the Round bar (Boardwalk), the Black Bear, and Wisp. Wisp is real touchy about the slopes and they're watching all the webcams. I am still looking to meet the right locals who know more than the pub runs since we like to explore longer distance riding. We're heading up for NYE and the forecast has changed enough for the possibility of enough snow to ride so we are almost definitely bringing the sleds. If there is enough snow we'll be launching from near the community college and heading north past the airport and on to Annies in Accident at least for some hot chocolate for the kids. If you're planning to ride the State Parks you need to get a MD DNR sticker which can be had for $15 at Bills Marine. There are no organized parking lots for sled trailers but you could probably park near the baseball stadium at Garrett College and ride from there.

We'll definitely have a group of 6 sleds or more on Presidents Day weekend and you'd run into us sometime for sure at the Honi or the Round Bar.

Any other DCL riders please post up some more info.

Jack

Some DCL action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmmDPAzOtfI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob8HlOLUXVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqGSar6WZAI

Lee you'll definitely recognize some of this video
http://www.inspectorjack.com/Learn2fly.mov

Jack there are some trails up top of Mountainside, have you ever ridden on those? Nice vids...

Haven't ridden up there yet. Have been up on the Adventure Sports Center but that is not actually allowed.

Webcams for the area.

http://www.deepcreekhospitality.com/weather.asp?Tab=Cams

Hope to see white in there from Sat on.

Thanks for the replies so far...keep them coming. I'm not real familiar with the area, so the more info the better. It would be great if a local club could be organized to connect the state trails via private ones.

Those are good links too...

Thanks again

jack,

the top of the mountain in the park is where lou, frank and i rode, then we ended up on a road but no where to go so we turned around....when we went to lous house on wisps mountain we saw snowmobile tracks......i think there are enough riders that maybe we could put a trail system together in DCL.
we just have to ask land owners and get DNR to contribute some trail funding and members. am i dreaming or is it possible.

I met and rode with a Bills Marine employee last March and he mentioned he was starting to try to put things together. I asked for more details but he didn't offer any. I think you are talking about a daunting task and unless he has some BIG names along with him I remain very skeptical, ain't no way this guy could do it alone. Been riding in DCL for 22 years people have always just made their own way and as such at their own risk. Making it more organized I think brings in the issue of liability. I'll see if I can find anything out while I am there this weekend. I know some of the right people and my Dad definitely knows the rest but he's down south for the winter.

There could be a helluva nice loop if we could get the various legal snowmobile trails in all the little state parks around the lake connected and include and official routes to Oakland and Grantsville. My first solo sledding was in Herrington Manor state park on my 1980 enticer 300. I beat the shit outta that sled.

When the lake is frozen you could stay at
Wisp Resort
Lake Star Lodge
The Panorama Motel
The Comfort Inn
Silver Tree Inn
Will O the Wisp
The Pine Breeze - not my favorite- spent a moldy night there last summer.
or rent any number of lakefront condos or cabins

Where's GOCAPS? He rode with us in DCL last year.

Snowed heavy for maybe an hour last night for fast 1" of snow. Thats all we got, but now that we are going home home tomorrow they're calling for 8-12". May have to come back next weekend depending on wife and work. Got some chores to do at the condo anyway.

Lee, we scouted out Mountainside, I believe I can find a route from the movie theatre to the college without having to use the lake, but you'd have to cross the 219 bridge. If we don't get enough snow soon enough we'll be back with quads and GPS some track logs. Several houses in Mountainside have ATVs and or sleds and you can tell that the trails are fairly well travelled by quads. Also the first house in Mountainside has 5 sleds in the yard. We're gonna introduce ourselves and see if they know some other routes around the area.

8-12 New Yrs Day ?
Is Moutainside all the new homes past Wisp on Marsh Hill Rd ?

Well we left in a good driving snow. Gotta get the kids to school and get back to business plus I haven't felt too good the past few days. Still snowing now, currently they're calling for 6-10" maybe more due to elevation. Mountainside is off of 219 between Bills Marine and Traders Coffee/Brendas Pizza.

DCL guys...
Well, it looks a little thin around the lake the next week or so. My family is planning a trip first weekend of Feb & we're staying on Lake Shore Dr. If the lakes not froze, can I get anywhere from there ?

Virtually impossible for the lake to get frozen by then considering current temperature. It might not at all this year at this rate, but the lake was not frozen at all at this date last year either then the cold snap locked it up quick. Lakeshore is tough even with snow on the ground without the lake being frozen. There is riding from around the movie theater area south and from the fairgrounds north. Getting to either from Lakeshore is near impossible without the lake. To go north you will have to cross the 219 bridge once you get across the bridge I know people ride the 219 shoulder to the fairgrounds. To go south, fuggetaboutit. If I was staying there and there is snow I would trailer to either the movie theater and ride south or Garrett College and head to the airport. Lakeshore is a long road and even with snowcover it'll be hard to ride that road unless its snowing good while you're riding or you're not far from 219. You might also trailer to one of the state parks to ride their limited trail system which requires a $15 MD DNR reg. Riding the lake also requires that sticker. We were stopped once last year for stickers but all were good. Winter WILL be back, lets hope its soon. I'll be in DCL Presidents day weekend with 6-8 sleds.

Jack,

Where do you get the sticker for the lake? I always thought that sleds were not technically allowed on the ice, is this a recent change?

The cold finally came on the 17th last year, the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th were all over 50 degrees last year and lows were above freezing....so there is still hope! I bet the lake temp is near freezing and it would not take a but a real good cold snap to lock it up. But I do remember years that in never did freeze so you could go out on it.

Indy, many of the places on Lake Shore Dr have steep waterfront so the chance you could actually ride onto the lake from your rental may be limited even if the lake is frozen. Hopefully you will get lucky with your choice. If not, you could drop them somewhere else and ride back to your place via the lake and park on the shoreline. I have seen sleds on the roads that side of the lake during a storm but do not know of any trails there. Trailering may be your best option.

I agree the water temp has to be real cold. When we were there over NYE it wasn't terribly cold but every morning the coves would be frozen up good. And Yes when it is coming down we've done plenty of road riding but I've never crossed the 219 bridge.

Actionjack --- BobG --- I've been here a bit, just lurking and not logging in! Just waiting for the snow to hit! This coming weekend (MLK) the 'fam and I are going to NH to visit the in-laws. We were going to take the sleds, but not quite enough time (up Friday, back on Monday). I joined the Laurel Highlands Club this year (first time) as they have a lot of parking and the clubhouse is nice when I am with the wife and kids. Went to NY twice this year (we have some land, but camp won't be built until this spring/summer). Anyway, DCL is a great place to ride, and I would thoroughly love to get back! Last year the lake was frozen and it makes a big difference as to getting around.

Later!

Bob K.

hey gocaps, well at least the ice on the lake breaks your fall a bit, beats going in the water...lol

goBob we'll let you know if we get to put together another guys weekend trip up this winter. I sure hope I get to. Snowing hard right now in DCL. MIGHT be going this weekend with the wife and kids but probably not. Temps are looking good now for locking up the lake. Where'd you wind up buying property in NY?

http://www.deepcreekhospitality.com/weathe...=Cams&Cam=3

You can almost see my condo in that webcam.

I like that cam.... you can actually see the snow coming down.

you can check the movie listings too. Unless its snowing as hard as it is now.

BobG --- yes, at least the ice did keep me from falling in the water!

ActionJack --- we bought 28 acres in the Southern Tier. I pay taxes in the town of Pharsalia, as that is the township. We are just south of South Otselic. Our land is located on County #42, about a half mile east of State #26. That is where the state corridor is, Trail #C7A.

Bob K.

What do you think Jack? HCS/DCL radar run?

Whos got a radar gun? By all means when the lake is frozen we can meet at the Honi Honi Bar/Unos Pizza. That is where that webcam is located.

You can make a 4 segment run of about 8 miles from one end of the lake to the other. There are 4 different places that you have about 2 mile stretches. From the Glendale bridge north to the 219 bridge is the main body and that is about 2 miles.

Dustin,

I'll keep you posted. Since Larry isn't going on our week long trip I really hope to get him out to ride DCL. He needs a vacation! My problem will be fitting it in to Feb or early Mar because of the kids, their classes, and my wife is taking some classes. So I will be limited. Once we get back from Canada, I'll start trying to figure out when a guys DCL trip can fit in.

Wow, he told me he hired two new guys and was getting a lot of work done. I haven't emailed him for about two weeks. Sorry to hear he isn't going with you guys. I'm right there with you, my wife is in RN clinicals, my daughter has pre-school, and my goofy work schedule kills every other weekend. This sounds like a fun idea so keep it in the back of your mind.

I have a Stalker Pro.

Is there rideable ice yet? I haven't been to DCL in years, I'd like to ride some ice and I'm not afraid of radar guns.

Keep this thread going.

no ice yet...soon we all hope..had a great time last year on the lake

CampKevin.com, Snowmobile


nice site..great pictures....the page is too large though.....i saw the muddy pic of the sled..reminded me of redfield this year running the trail back around the lake to the parking lot near crossroads inn bridge....we must have hit 1 1/2 miles of mudholes.....with our 7 and 9 years old with us holding on tightly. hope to see you on the lake this year.

No ice yet, but the 10 day forecast looks good. A high of 10* on Saturday. Since Jack seems to go up there the most, he can let us know when the lake is ready. I would think sometime in early to mid February should be good.

BTW - Nice site.

i agree by mid february should be great providing temps stay cold

May be going this weekend, haven't decided yet. Can't be enough ice yet. We'll be there for sure Presidents day weekend - Ice or not. Might not even bring the sleds this weekend if i go. Gotta do some light remodeling to the condo.

Holy shit! Just checked the webcams. STILL open water. Presidents day lake riding is looking doubtful. Honi cam is down, prolly iced up.

If you look at this one at the right time you'll see me waving as I go by.

http://cam1.garrettcollege.edu/view/view.shtml

Lake is getting solid now... weather forecast looks good.

starting to see some ice...

found this article: Good news for some!

State wrapping up Deep Creek Lake property sales



Maryland's contracting arm has put the brakes on the sale of some 600 acres of waterfront property surrounding the Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, falling more than $4 million shy of what it hoped to net from the effort.

The decision comes nearly eight years, two governors and more than 1,300 properties after the effort began under then Gov. Parris N. Glendening. The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) said Monday it will cease its Deep Creek Lake Buydown project as of Jan. 31, but will go through with the settlements of some 300 parcels that have already been offered to hopeful land owners surrounding the former Youghiogheny Electric Co. hydroelectric generating station and dam.

DGS spokesman Dave Humphrey said he believes the buydowns have been a "resounding success so far," but his department is hoping to generate more interest from surrounding property owners to buy land at Deep Creek before the sales come to an end at the end of the month.

In 1998, the state began negotiating with GPU Inc. to buy the 4,400-acre Deep Creek Lake for $7.8 million to preserve the site and add it to Maryland's park system. The state also negotiated to buy nearly 600 acres of surrounding property for $9.8 million in order to protect that land from development.

With a conservation easement preventing development of the land, the state offered 2,000 individual properties for sale at 39 cents a foot. Money generated from the sales were to be used to recoup the $9.8 million the state spent to buy the land. Since 1998, the state has sold 1,617 parcels. Of those, 1,330 have settled and the remainder are pending.

Not including those pending deals, the state has generated about $5.3 million from the sales. Beyond Jan. 31, Humphrey said, the unsold land will remain as undeveloped, state-owned property.

and the good news is...

alright it is just some news around the area......i was looking at it like its undeveloped land in the area as opposed to developing land which is already to much

cool...I was hoping I wasn't missing a point there.
Sounds like to me maybe we push the resident mayor on here to talk to his friends at Bill's & others with the state to get something going with a trail system.
I think Jack said it was a real long shot...but, it sounds like he's the one with a few connections

ok, tell me I'm crazy...

I met the guy who is talking about organizing the trails last year at the end of the season. He works at Bills Marine. I offered to be involved but didn't get anywhere. Haven't talked to him since but I'll see him soon this winter and see where they are, if anywhere.

On a good note, I have had reports that sleds are running the southern end of the lake. I find that hard to believe with open water in the main body but thats what I hear. I usually keep up with the ice fishing report on fishdeepcreek.com and last I checked they weren't even reporting ice thickness. Member lovett9565 is going up this weekend to ride and he can provide a first hand report.

I'm not sure how to interpret that article either. I'll look into that too.....after I come back from Canada!

By the webcams the lake looks fully frozen now.

Jack, keep us posted to when its safe to ride and we can set up the HCS get together.

how bad will the rain hurt it today ? looks like the temps are slightly above & below freezing the rest of the week...

Well it looks like the ice survived the 50* temps and rain. Its going to be cold today and tonight so nothing lost. Temps look OK looking forward, cold enough at night to keep the lake frozen. The NAO is forecast to be way negative by mid month so barring any major thaw I think the weekend of the 16th or 23rd are still a real possibility.

thanks...I'm going this weekend

Be sure to check with Bill's Marine to see if the ice is safe. And give us a report when you get back. Enjoy!

Just looked at the webcam.....I see some sled tracks on the ice!

Just got back from 8 days in QC. I'll be watching the DCL conditions closely. I have read that there is 7" of ice on the Deep Creek Drive/Wisp cove.

Jack: How was Canada, eh? Safe trip I hope.

Don't tell Larry. Best trip ever. 11 riders. We had a beautiful chalet on Lac Taureau in Saint Michel-des-Saints. 11-12 hours drive. No mileage records but thats not what we're about. We did do 170 miles or more on 2 days, mostly averaged about 120/day. Finished the trip with a 3 day saddlebag trip including Mt Tremblant ski resort. The views from the lift and the mountain were awesome. We skiied for an afternoon then rode another 90 miles to a another town. Our last day was riding back to our chalet and trucks in a snowstorm that totaled 12" plus. Best day riding ever for me only 3 of us left for the last leg. Overall VERY low traffic, few American tourists and mostly good to great trails. Some fair and one terrible.

Injuries.
I busted my chin on the first night hitting my handlebars after a blind crest at 70+ - no crash.
My BIL got frostbite on his chin.
Numerous hangovers.

Sled damage....its only money.
2000 AC Panther 2up - broken drive shaft (we think, we had an extra sled anyway)
2003 Viper rolled by newer rider on borrowed sled. Broken windshield, ram air parts, and dash area sled runs fine without speedo.
2001 Ski-Doo slight dent in tunnel and broke off plastic over over left side of rear bumper (run into after short stop)
2003 Polaris 600 Classic broken hood after running into my cousin's new to him Apex GT
2006 Apex GT (my cousin's) bent snowflap bracket from Polaris impact. The Polaris into the Apex crashed happened on the worst trail I've ever seen in QC. I had been warm the night before which I guess prevented them from grooming it and my cousin braked hard coming into a BIG hole. BobG57 was on the Polaris and had already been bucked by the previous bump, pinballed off a tree and then into the back of the GT. The Polaris was more worse for the wear - he needs a new hood. We just bent the flap bracket back into place - he's lucky like that.

Helmet cam is toast. Never got any footage. Discovered lead wire broken in half under insulation, might be able to fix myself. Also totaled one of my digital cameras. Locked up with mechanical lens extended and put in pocket for next 80 miles. Must have jammed up the gears bouncing around in my pocket.

Now we need to see some snow in our own backyard.