HECK WITH THE CHORES, WE’RE GOING TO SWALLOW FALLS
On Thursday night, I was preparing for a weekend at home catching up things. However, my travel partner had other plans. I was told to be packed and ready to leave Saturday morning. We were going to Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County, MD for the weekend. With a little arm twisting I agreed (those who know me, know it took very little twisting) and we were off for another mini Maryland adventure.
With very little diversions of the “let’s check that out” variety, we made it from Carroll County, to Swallow Falls in a respectable amount of time. And to our surprise, they even had a few campsites available. After claiming our campsite and a quick lunch of PBJ, apples and bananas, we trekked to the falls.
SWALLOW FALLS
Swallow Falls State Park is located nine miles north of Oakland, Maryland. The Youghiogheny River flows along the park’s borders, passing through A 300 year old Hemlock shaded rocky gorge creating rippling rapids and four named waterfalls. Muddy Creek Falls is a 53-foot waterfall and is the most downstream of the four. Then traveling upstream, next is the Lower Swallow Falls, quickly followed by the Upper Swallow Falls. Tolliver Falls starts the descent through the park. Tall hemlocks dominate the silent woods. The area reminded me a lot of Southeastern Alaska with the tall hemlocks and moss covering the fallen trees and rocks.
Camping:
The park has sixty-five wooded campsites with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern post on a stabilized pad. While mainly a tent community, there are a few sites with hook ups for the RV travelers.
Hiking:
The main attraction in the park is the 1 1/4 mile hiking trail through the old growth forest that passes by the aforementioned waterfalls. There is also a 5.5 mile trail between Swallow Falls and Herrington Manor State Park through the Garrett State Forest. The 5.5 mile trail is also accessible for mountain biking.
IMPORTANT VISITORS TO SWALLOW FALLS
In 1921, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped for two weeks in western Maryland. They called themselves the vagabonds when camping together. When they arrived around twilight at the falls area, to their dismay, found a group of young boys camping at the premier spot they wanted next to Muddy Creek Falls. The vagabonds persuaded the boys with a ten dollar bill to move to another campsite further down stream toward Swallow Falls.
A bridge on the road coming into their campsite caved in from the weight of the camp kitchen truck following the main party. As a result no one from the public, except the young boys camping nearby, could visit them. This seclusion provided the vagabonds the greatest solitude they had known since they began camping together. For more information on the vagabonds travels through Western Maryland check out Famous Travelers: Edison, Ford, Firestone
OUR HIKE TO THE FALLS
The hike to the falls is a short easy hike, and we quickly learned that taking photographs of the falls would not be easy. At least without other people in the photos anyhow. The falls is the perfect swimming hole on hot August days. Visitors eagerly lounged in the pools, rode the rapids on their backs and generally enjoyed cooling off in the water.
Back from our hike, we enjoyed an evening cooking steaks on an open fire and watched the campfire well into the night. Over night rain began to fall. The tapping of rain on the tent and the cool night air made for perfect sleeping weather. As daylight arrived on Sunday, a light rain continued and the sun was hidden behind the clouds.
PHOTOGRAPHING THE FALLS
Thinking the rain and early hour would slow the daily visitors to the falls, I grabbed my rain jacket and camera, returning to the falls. I was alone and was able to snap a few pictures.
Interesting enough, I snapped frame after frame from several locations but the first shot of the morning was my favorite.
I have been exploring the mountains of Garrett County for over 30 years and this was my first time visiting Swallow Falls. While I may want to be traveling on grand wild adventures across the country and world, I am constantly reminded of the great places within a short drive of my Maryland home yet to explore. So while I save my money and make the plans for the grand adventure, I’ve always got plenty around here to explore.
Summer is quickly coming to a close. Before it does, load the car up go somewhere new and explore someplace close to home. You might be surprised at what you find.
