Rocky Gap State Park

I had been wanting to go to Rocky Gap State Park for some time, so Ty and I went today. The temperature was supposed to be below 80 degrees and there was no rain in the forecast. And my schedule was unhindered. Ty was raring to go somewhere.

A rugged mountain wilderness and manmade lake

Ty liked the lake.

Opened in 1974, Rocky Gap State Park encompasses 3,000 acres and includes Lake Habeeb, Mount Evitts, and a privately owned resort, casino, and golf course. Lake Habeeb is a 243-acre reservoir fed by Rocky Gap Run. There are no natural lakes in Maryland. Only reservoirs and dams. I didn't know that. Mom's from Minnesota where there are 10,000 lakes!  The difference between the two states is their glacial history. During the last Ice Age, Minnesota was glaciated whereas Maryland was too far south to be glaciated, thus no natural basins to fill with water

Lakeside

Lakeside Loop Trail

Along the trail

Four!  - golf course along the lake

My hiking buddy

There is a moderate 5.3 mile Lakeside loop (hike) that goes completely around Lake Habeeb. Ty and I hiked part of it. I would like to do the whole loop, but we didn't have enough time today. Fall would be a better time (cooler). Maybe even prettier with the changing colors of the leaves. We hiked around for about two hours today. That was plenty for Ty and I. We don't like to overexert ourselves!

Lake Habeeb

Follow the orange trees

Wild Cherries

Ty's tree (I removed the E from the carving!)

Very blue

Purple flowers

Banks of the lake

There is a shorter hike (Canyon Overlook Trail) that offers views of the mile-long gorge formed by Rocky Gap Run and the limestone cliffs. Ty and I walked this one, but it was hard to tell if we were on the right path. We did an out-and-back. There was also a loop trail. We didn't see down inside the gorge (did we miss something?). Trees obstructed the view, but it was still scenic. You could see the gorge near the dam; hence, the picture.

Gorge

Evitt's Homesite Trail

Trail head (waypoint)

Ty at the overlook

On the edge

A lot of trees

Pine cone

Breathtaking view

Back in the water

Rocky Gap was a good place to take Ty. Lake Habeeb was easily accessible. The water was calm and clear. He went in the lake several times. People often ask me if Ty likes to swim. I tell them that he likes to play in the water:  wade in it (up to his belly), drink the water, and bite at it. Not swim. The water level of Lake Habeeb is unseasonably low due to drought (recent rains have helped), but there was plenty of water for Ty to enjoy.