Deep Creek Lake State Park hike/letterboxing (PQ)

Our final quest for the weekend was far up int he NW corner of Maryland at Deep Creek Lake State Park. We found this park to be surprisingly beautiful, the hike was the best of the weekend, and we definitely want to come here again!The most exciting part was hiking up to the old mine. We'd definitely like to do more hikes like this if we can. It reminded me a little of our hiking back in Colorado, where mines are very common (and lots of times not even blocked off!)

Can you see the deer tracks?

This was another letterboxing quest, with some historical value as well. After a stop at the nature center, we followed the white and red trails up to our destinations based on a series of clues contained in each letterbox.  The clues directed us to the Brant Family Homestead and then to the Brant Family Mine where the family mined coal. The entire hike was lush, green & rocky. There was a bit of a climb, some areas of the trail were moderately steep, but do-able for our 4 year old.

The Brant Family Mine

coal cart

And although well-traveled, we felt as if this trail wasnt so. We didn't see any large wildlife, we could tell it was more prevalent in this less-populated area of the state. We found deer tracks and also learned about the black bear population that is growing and moving eastward.  We would have loved to explore more than just the red and white trails, but in the essence of time (a 4 hour car-ride to get home for work on Monday), we stuck to hiking to the homestead and mine. We certainly want to come back to this park if we can somehow find the time before PCS season!

letterbox

Stamping

Another letterbox containing a clue

Beautiful MD near the WV/PA border

Our PQ Passport stamp

And for our memories, the original PQ post:

Discover the Brant Family by Letterboxing!

Introduction To Quest

This year’s quest takes you from the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park onto the trails of Meadow Mountain and back in time to the 1920’s. Teams will discover clues along the way that help you unlock the history of the Brant family at Deep Creek Lake State Park. This quest will challenge your treasure hunting and clue deciphering skills as a family. Be part of the international letterboxing movement along the way.

Quest Information

Teams may use their own notebooks or print out the Park Quest page from the link on this web page or they may obtain one from the Discovery Center. The quest begins at the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park and should take teams about 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete.

The Discovery Center is open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day during the summer, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday Labor Day to Memorial Day and is free for all visitors. Please return from your Quest by 4:30 pm. The Discovery Center is located at 969 State Park Road, Swanton, MD 21561. Call             (301) 387-7067 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (301) 387-7067      end_of_the_skype_highlighting       for more information about Park Quest or the Discovery Center.

Print the Brant Mine Worksheet here

Park Information

Deep Creek Lake State Park lies just west of the Allegheny Front on a large plateau known as the Tablelands or Allegany Highlands. Its location at the southernmost end of Meadow Mountain places it west of the Eastern Continental Divide and within the Mississippi River watershed. It gets its name from Deep Creek Lake, a hydroelectric project constructed on Deep Creek in the 1925 by the Youghiogheny Hydroelectric Company. Man has been associated with the use of this land for thousands of years.

Early nomadic hunters and gatherers, followed by Native American hunters, roamed through the mountains of Garrett County but have left little record of their presence. Beginning in the 1700's, early settlers to the region eked a subsistence existence based on the utilization of the area's abundant natural resources. The mountains remained relatively untouched until the turn of the century when massive logging operations began stripping the land of the virgin Red Spruce, Hemlock, White Pine, and Yellow Birch forests.

The park is the site of the historic Brant coal mine and home site, where a restored mine entrance preserves a typical drift or adit mine. The mine was worked for several years by the Brant family and supplied bituminous coal for heating and blacksmithing in the local community. Deep Creek Lake State Park was established in 1959 and all of the land surrounding and under the lake, previously owned by the Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), was purchased by the State of Maryland in 2000 establishing a buffer strip around the lake.

Sandy Point Hike & Letterboxing & Herrington Manor Canoe Trip (PQ)

Who would have thought
this is at Sandy Point?

Symbi Trail

I'm combining 2 of our shorter quests (Sandy Point and Herrington Manor)... because I have so many hike blogs to catch up on.... The two parks, although they both feature a beautiful body of water (Sandy Point in Annapolis, and Herrington Manor in Oakland) are hours apart, and lie in to vastly different sections of Maryland! PS. both of these parks have limited options on where you are/are not allowed to take dogs! Sandy Point does not allow dogs from Memorial day-labor day. Herrington Manor allows dogs only on the trails and in certain day-use areas.

Sandy Point Map

Letterboxing!

Leaving our mark
with the family stamp

Last week PQ took us to a local favorite Sandy Point... We usually come here for the beach, but little did we know this park has a short trail (and pond) as well! On this quest we did not even visit the beach. Instead we began at the Nature center, from there we went letterboxing. This walk took us to view a historical oak tree, and down Symbi trail (which we didn't know was there!). 

Found the first letterbox

We had to gather a series of several stamps at each check point along the hike, which eventually lead us to a very neat "boardwalk" style bridge over a marshy area, allowing the kids to see the marsh insects & small fish up close.  The trail then lead us to the pond (which was surprisingly large), and back to the trail head. Along the way we learned about local wildlife -- squirrel, deer, ducks, geese. We were hoping to see some deer on this weekday (we have seen deer in this park many times before) but unfortunately on this day we did not. The trail itself was short (my guess is maybe 3/4 mile?) flat, and easy to navigate. I think through the park we walked a total of about 2 miles -- although that was enough for us with the high heat index!  Even our 2 year old M. was able to do this "hike" entirely on foot -- and of course it was a breeze for our 4 year old A!

Herrington Manor State Park Map

Beaver damn on the lake

A. Canoeing

And, over the weekend, PQ took us about 4 hours west to the parks that lie in NW Maryland on the PA/WV border to Herrington Manor State Park. A pretty little lake nestled in the "mountains" (as D. and I like to call them the Maryland "foothills"... Because their size remind us more of our Colorado foothills that we grew up with than mountains!) This quest focused on using a canoe to navigate around the lake. D. & A. tackled this one by themselves. My daughter and I would have gone unfortunately we had our German Shepherd, Colt with us... And he was not allowed! The boys had to identify (and learn about) several real-life animal habitats of native wildlife -- including a beaver dam, bat & duck boxes, & osprey platforms. D. and A. came back to report that they had two great memories from this trip. 1) The canoe got stuck and they couldn't get out. 2) A. stuck his paddle in the mud and almost followed it right off the canoe and into the lake when he forgot to let go! I apologize for the blurry photos from this quest... Hubby had to use his phone for these!

Learning about the local wildlife

Both passport stamps below:

And for our memories, the original PQ postings:

Canoe Find the Animals? Herrington Manor

Introduction To Quest

Your Park Quest Team will use a canoe to explore Herrington Lake. Your team will work together to explore the natural and historic areas of the park, as well as identify some of the habitat structures Rangers have placed around the shoreline of the lake.

Quest Information

The Park Quest Adventure at Herrington Manor State Park will begin at the Herrington Manor Lake House. The Quest may be completed Monday – Sunday, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. For further information, call park headquarters at             301-334-9180      .

To complete the Quest you will walk about 1/4 mile from the Lake House to the boat ramp, pick out your canoe, and complete your Quest with a flat water paddle. It should take about 2 hours to complete. No pets are permitted.

You may print out your Park Quest worksheet from this web page. When you arrive at the park, go to the Lake House to obtain your Park Quest activity packet. The packet will include a park map, instructions and other materials necessary to help your team complete the self-guided paddling adventure. When you have finished, return your canoe to the boat ramp, and go to the Lake House to have your Passport stamped.

Quest Worksheet

• Print Your Herrington Manor State Park Quest Worksheet here

Park Information

Herrington Manor State Park was named after Abijah Herrington, who built a manor house on the property in the mid-1800’s, which was later purchased by the State in 1935. During this decade, the park was the site of many Federal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work projects. Young men from throughout the State lived at a camp located nearby at present day Swallow Falls State Park. These CCC crews created Herrington Lake, planted trees and constructed ten log cabins and the beach Lake House. The park’s dominant feature is a manmade 53-acre lake, averaging a depth of eight feet. Fed by Herrington Creek, the lake was dammed in the early 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is now open from dawn till dusk, seven days a week for swimming, fishing and boating.

The park has 20 rustic log cabins available year-round for rent. With a country charm, the cabins provide modern conveniences, such as electric heat, bathroom with shower, fully equipped kitchen and furniture. A covered porch with a view of the surrounding woodland, wood-burning fireplace insert and easy access to trails and the lake make them an ideal natural haven.

Herrington Manor State Park
222 Herrington Lane
Oakland, MD 21550

Discover the Other Side of Sandy Point

Introduction To Quest

Your Park Quest adventure at Sandy Point State Park will take to you to a side of the park that most visitors rarely see. You will walk through a shady canopy of tree cover and be introduced to some of the wild residents of the park who are not just day use visitors. While exploring their habitat, you will complete a letterboxing challenge with a surprise optional ending.

Quest Information

The Park Quest at Sandy Point State Park starts at the Nature Center. Parking is available in the marina lot. Your first clue will be found just outside the Nature Center door. The Quest is available 7 days per week from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please note: Park may fill to capacity on weekends and holidays and may be closed for entry.

This Quest is approximately a 1.5-mile hike and will take about 2 hours to complete. Pets are not permitted at Sandy Point State Park from May 1 through September 30.

Your Park Quest Passport provides free entrance into the day-use area of the park where the Quest is located. Please show your Passport to the attendant at the Contact Station. Please print your Park Quest map from the link on this website.

Print the Sandy Point State Park Quest Worksheets here:

• Worksheet front
• Worksheet back

Bonus Quest

During your letterboxing challenge you will receive clues that will unlock your opportunity to explore Mezick Pond by kayak or canoe to find a bonus letterbox. Park Quest passports can be stamped without completion of this Bonus Quest for those who do not wish to go out on the water.

Things to Bring

• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Insect Repellant
• Water
• Sunglasses/Hat
• Optional for Bonus Quest: PFDs, Water Shoes

Park Information

Sandy Point was open in 1952 by the State of Maryland and is celebrating its 60th birthday this year. The park was developed in response to the need for recreational opportunities on the Chesapeake Bay.

This 786-acre State Park is located along the Northwestern shore of the majestic Chesapeake Bay. The park’s beaches and picnic areas are well known for their breathtaking scenic water views that overlook one of Maryland’s true treasures, the Chesapeake Bay.

Recreational activities and services include swimming beaches, picnicking, fishing, crabbing, boating, hiking, youth group camping, areas of historical interest and wildlife viewing. The Park also offers a marina store and boat rentals.

Cedarville State Park (PQ) Hiking & Letterboxing

Today our Park Quest took us to Cedarville State Park for a some hiking and letterboxing! The kids (and I) were really excited because today was our first chance to use our new family stamp on a letterboxing quest! The park quest for Cedarville consisted of a regular quest (hiking to and finding2 letterboxes) and a bonus quest (hiking to and finding an additional 2 letterboxes). 

With letterboxing, you use a set of physical and/or geographical (and possibly other) clues to locate a hidden letterbox. Some of the clues we were given included finding a specific spot on the trail such as a small bridge, and then turning left and walking 90 steps to find the letterbox. Or spotting trail markers such as a hollow tree stump.

The hidden letterbox contains a log, a stamp, and a stamp pad. You carry with you your own log, personal stamp, stamp pad, and a pen comes in handy too. When you locate a letterbox, you then add the letterbox stamp to your hiking log, and stamp your personal stamp in the letterbox log book. You leave you own little "mark" saying "we were here" in the letterbox log for all of it's future visitors. It is fun to look back on stamps & signatures of the past letterbox visitors and even sometimes see some familiar names! 


This is a GREAT activity for small kids if you choose a hike (or method of getting to the letterbox) that matches their skill level. Both of our kids  (2 and 4 years old) got a lot of excitement out of trying to find the letterboxes, and opening them up to see what was inside...  Each of our kids took turns stamping the park stamp into our log book, which was rewarding after each hike we did! A. got a lot of practice today "leading" the family, following the clues in the quests to recognize specific markers like a T in the trail, recognizing trail colors and following the correct ones, counting steps, counting steps, and navigating specific clues to the letterboxes.

We did end up completing both the regular quest and the bonus quest, hiking to and locating 4 letterboxes total. We did a combination of different sections of trails at Cedarville, including portions of the orange trail, the white trail, forest road and the blue trail. All sections of trail that we hiked were very easy with almost no elevation gain (30  feet max if I remember correctly), and totaled about 4.5 miles. On the orange trail, we spotted the usual wildlife --squirrels, birds, insects. On the White trail we had the opportunity to see a marsh area with several beaver dams and trees that had been chewed down by beavers. This was definitely one of the highlights of the hike trip for our 4 year old son.  (see photo left). Ticks were pretty heavy in areas of this park as well, in fact, they were dropping right onto our letter boxing work-sheet! (right) and a pic of our PQ passport with stamp below!

Full quest description below!

Introduction to QuestLetterboxing is an intriguing “treasure hunt” style outdoor activity for families. Letterboxes are small, weatherproof boxes that usually contain a log book, a rubber stamp and an ink pad. They are hidden in publicly accessible places and the clues will be made available to Park Quest participants. The finders make an imprint of the letterbox's stamp on their stamp sheet or personal log book, and leave an imprint of their personal stamp on the letterbox's logbook. And yes, you can participate even if you don’t have your own stamp or logbook.
Quest InformationTo begin the Quest, go to the Cedarville State Forest Headquarters Office and receive your Park Quest packet. The office will be open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Your packet will include a Cedarville Trail Map, a Park Quest information sheet and a letterbox work sheet to collect the letterbox stamps. The following items are suggested to get your team started letterboxing: an ink pad with your choice of color, your team’s rubber stamp and log book so that you can leave your mark for all to see and keep record of the letterboxes you have visited. These items are not required to complete the Quest.
The Park Quest, finding the first two letterboxes, should take approximately one to 1.5 hours. The Bonus Quest (finding all four letterboxes) should take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. We recommend starting this Quest by 2 p.m. in order to finish in time to return to the Forest office by 4 p.m. to receive your Park Quest Passport stamp. While participating in this Quest wear comfortable shoes and clothing, use sunscreen and insect repellant. Make sure you bring water and a snack or picnic lunch to keep the team going. This Quest is recommended for families with small children. To learn more about letterboxing visit www.Letterboxing.org.
Park InformationCedarville State Forest is located at the headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp, Maryland’s largest freshwater swamp. The swamp extends southward through Charles County for 20 miles, emptying into the Wicomico River. The swamp is one mile wide, and serves as a haven for wildlife. The surrounding land is mostly agricultural fields. In colonial times and there after efforts were made to drain the swamp for cultivation. Drainage ditches are still evident. To this day, the swamp remains wooded bottomland.
The Piscataway Indian Tribe made this section of Southern Maryland its winter camping ground because of the mild climate and abundance of game. Legend says there is an ancient Indian Burial Ground at Cedarville, but to date it has not been found.
In 1930, the State of Maryland purchased 2,631 acres of land for a forest demonstration area. Later 879 more acres were added to bring the total to 3,510 acres. Cedarville was the postal address for the area, hence the name given to the State Forest.
In 1933, The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), under the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, developed roads and trails for fire protection and future access for recreational development of the area. From 1933 to 1935, approximately 160 men, mostly African Americans from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. worked at Cedarville. They were paid $30 per month, most of the pay was sent home to support their families. Across the nation, the CCC offered jobs to thousands of unemployed men during the Great Depression.
In the 1950’s, Cedarville operated three charcoal kilns burning wood from the forest to produce up to 3,600 pounds of charcoal each week. The charcoal was used in many other state parks throughout Maryland to produce heat. On Forest Road, the remains of one kiln can still be seen today.
Cedarville State Forest invites exploration of its diverse natural, recreational and historic features. Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians can enjoy approximately 19.5 miles of trails.
Pets are allowed at Cedarville State Forest and must be on a leash at all times. Picnic tables and grills are available along Forest Road. Maryland State Parks are Trash-Free, please take your trash with you and Leave No Trace.