Fall Activities and Road Closures

Date: October 22, 2012

See News Release and Map

Catoctin Mountain Park News Release

October 2, 2012

For Immediate Release

Debra Mills

Catoctin Mountain Park Announces Fall Activities Schedule and Road Closures

Fall Color Walks – Saturdays, October 20 and 27, and Sundays, October 21 and 28 at 1:30p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Hog Rock Parking Area

How willthis year's growing season affect the fall colors in Catoctin Mountain Park? Meet a ranger at the Hog Rock Parking Lot at 1:30 or 3:00 p.m. on any of the above dates for a short walk to learn why the leaves change in the fall and how weather affects fall color. Is there a scientific reason or does mysterious Jack Frost deserve the credit?

Orienteering (Map and Compass Reading) - Saturday, November 3 and 17, and Sundays, November 4 and 18, at the Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m.

Orienteering classes consist of an indoor slide program that introduces maps and their components as well as the orienteering compass that allows the user to determine the direction of travel. After learning how to use the compass in conjunction with the map, participants are given the opportunity to complete a short outdoor course. The outdoor course requires going off-trail in varied terrain so wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Maps and compasses are provided for the day. The program is free but class size is limited so reservations are required. Please make your reservation by calling the Visitor Center at [phone].

Camp Misty Mount – Cabin rentals available through October 28

Cabins may be rented in historic Camp Misty Mount through the October 28. Rustic chestnut cabins constructed by the Works Progress Administration are available to individuals, families and groups. Please call the Misty Mount office at [phone] to make your reservation or for further information.

Owens Creek Campground – Open for family camping through November 4

Owens Creek Campground is open on a first-come, first-served basis through November 4, 2012. The campground will close for the season at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

Each site is limited to one camping unit (tent or trailer) and a maximum of 5 people. Maximum tent size is 9'x12'. Trailers up to 22' in length are accepted but there are no hookups. The fee is $20.00 per night.

Deer Spotlight Surveys

National Park Service personnel will be conducting deer spotlight surveys from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. during the week of October 29, 2012.The purpose of the surveys is to obtain a current deer population density estimate for the park.All roads that are within or along the boundary of the Park will be included in the survey.These roads include Park Central, Manahan, Foxville Deerfield, and Quirauk School Roads as well as Route 77.Spotlighting will only take place on park property and will be conducted from a marked NPS vehicle.

Road Closures

Manahan Road Closed for the Winter Season from 12:00 noon, November 26

Park Central and Manahan Roads, located in Catoctin Mountain Park, Thurmont, Maryland, will close intermittently to vehicle traffic beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday November 5, 2012 for deer reduction.During this time, CATO staff will conduct white-tailed deer herd reduction activities in accordance with the Catoctin White-tailed Deer Management Plan / Final Environmental Impact Statement. Please see the attached chart and map for exact times and locations. Weather may require that Manahan Road close permanently for the season on or after Monday, November 26, 2012.The gravel section north of the intersection with Park Central Road will close early this season to insure visitor safety during white-tailed deer herd reduction. These activities, conducted in accordance with the Catoctin White-tailed Deer Management Plan / Final Environmental Impact Statement, will occur after sunset, when the Park is closed to visitors.

Traditional winter closures substantially reduce the need for gravel replacement on the historic roadway and preserve the adjacent native plant environment. At an average elevation of 1500 feet, the Manahan Road area usually receives more freezing precipitation than any other area of the park. Closing the road enhances visitor safety while allowing opportunities for cross-country skiing and sledding.

The Poplar Grove Tenting Area on Manahan Road remains open on weekends during most of the closure period, providing youth groups with the opportunity to test their fitness by backpacking supplies in and out of camp. Day hikers benefit as the absence of vehicle traffic increases the likelihood of observing deer and other wildlife.The Poplar Grove and the immediate area will be closed to all park visitors during deer management operations.

Park Central and Manahan Roads will reopen to vehicle traffic in March, 2013 as weather conditions permit.

Deer Reduction Activities

Deer herd reduction is being carried out by qualified federal employees, since public hunting is not permitted in Catoctin Mountain Park.Meat from culled deer will be donated to the Maryland Food Bank, including pantries in Frederick and Washington Counties.The purpose of the herd reduction is to support forest regeneration and provide for the long-term protection, conservation and restoration of native species and cultural landscapes.The consumption of vegetation by the overpopulated deer herd has negatively impacted other wildlife species habitat, and park neighbors. The health of the deer population continues to decline.Reduction activities will occur after sunset, when the Park is closed to visitors.All closed areas will be clearly posted and closures will remain in effect for short periods of time.The closure areas are as follows:

CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK AREA CLOSURES FOR DEER REDUCTION
	Nov 5 – 8, 2012 Closed Daily Except 6:00 am to 10:00 am	Nov 26 – 29, 2012 Closed Daily Except 6:00 am to 10:00 am	Dec 10 – 13, 2012 Closed Daily Except 6:00 am to 10:00 am	Jan 7 – 10, 2013 Closed Daily Except 6:00 am to 10:00 am	Jan 28 – 31, 2013 Closed Daily Except 6:00 am to 10:00 am
Area A The western portion of the Park, west of Foxville-Deerfield Road to the Park boundary including the Adirondack Shelter and Horse Trail and Owens Creek Campground.	X	X	X	X	X
Area B East of Foxville-Deerfield Road, including Poplar Grove, to the north boundary, excluding Camp Greentop and Chestnut Picnic Area. Park Central Road west of Manahan Road will remain open until 4:30 pm each day until December 19, when it will close for the winter.	X	X	X	X	X
Area C Camp Misty Mount, the area east of the Hog Rock Nature Trail, west of Park Central Road and North of Falls Nature Trail, excluding Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail.Park Central Road will remain open until 4:30 pm each day until December 19, and then it will close for the winter				X	X
Area D Park Central Road north to the Park boundary between Hog Rock parking area and Thurmont Vista Trail.				X	X
Area E The northern portion of the Park just south of Buck Lantz Road	X	X	X	X	X

Catoctin Mountain Park is one of nearly 400 units administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The park Visitor Center, located on State Route 77 three miles west of Thurmont, Maryland, is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The Visitor Center is will be closed on Federal Holidays through February.Correspondence should be addressed to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato.General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at [phone].

 -NPS-

 

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