A rugged mountain wilderness and manmade lake
Ty liked the lake.
Opened in 1974, Rocky Gap State Park park encompasses 3000 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. Maryland was too far south to be glaciated, thus no natural basins to fill with water
Lakeside
Along the trail
Four! - golf course along the lake
There is a moderate 5.3 mile Lakeside loop (hike) that goes 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
Banks of the lake
There is a shorter hike (Canyon Overlook Trail) that offers views of a mile-long gorge formed by a small stream and durable limestone cliffs. Ty and I walked this one, but it was hard to tell if we were on the right trail. We did an out-and-back. There was also a loop trail. We didn't see down inside the gorge. We just saw trees, but it was still scenic.
Gorge
Trail head (waypoint)
On the edge
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 many times. People ask if Ty likes to swim. I tell them that he likes to wade in the water (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.