On the itinerary today: a road walk to Hoyes Run, which is a stone’s throw from the popular Youghiogheny River, or the Yough (Yock), as locals call it. The day dawned sunny and cool – perfect conditions.
I headed out from Deep Creek Lake State Park by 8:30 a.m. and soon took a wrong turn. Duh! I wasn’t paying attention, and it cost me 1.5 miles (2.4 km). After that, though, everything went well.
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Making My Way to Hoyes Run
This area is a huge tourist attraction. Deep Creek Lake is Maryland’s largest freshwater lake. It’s ringed by dozens upon dozens of vacation homes, rentals, restaurants, etc. Many are quite upscale. There’s a ski hill in the area, too. The average snowfall here is something like 180 inches (457 cm).
Anyway, the first few miles were along a busy state highway, 
which was unpleasant. It’s interesting to realize how much noise cars and trucks make. It never seems like much when you’re in them. But try walking along a highway and you’ll see what I mean.
Luckily, the path eventually segued onto a much smaller road that ringed what was still Deep Creek Lake. (The lake has a very odd shape, like a neuron!) This was a great change. The final stage was a very hilly road down to the river. Thank goodness, it was mostly downhill.
Back at Deep Creek Lake State Park
While I was waiting for Josh to shuttle me back to my campsite, several people drove up to kayak, fish or hike in the area. One 
couple offered me freshly dried and salted Roma tomatoes – they were incredible! The man said they didn’t use a dehydrator. Instead, they put them in their car’s windshield for four days. Ha! (I will not switch from my new Excalibur dehydrator that I got for Christmas.) He and his wife also talked about the amazing pepperoni rolls that are famous in West Virginia, which is right next door.
As Josh shuttled me back, I gave him intel on the road walk while he told me about the county’s plan for future trails, including the PHT. Creating and maintaining trails is so much more complicated than you realize!
I spent a few more hours hiking in the park, trying to hit all of the trails that are, or might be, the PHT of the future. It’s kind of exciting to be hiking a trail in progress.
Snowshoe
Today’s Miles: 23.1 (37.2 km)
PHT Miles to Date: 641.1 (1,031.8 km)
PHT Miles to Go: =108.9 (175.3 km)
