Ranger Tales
Closing the Loop

Closing the Loop

The story

The walk back through the forest — and a farewell from your rangers.

As the trail carries you back through the old trees toward the lot, that's the loop — four waterfalls, a virgin forest, and a river as old as the hills, all in a mile and a quarter. Not a bad morning's walk. And you're only a few miles from Deep Creek Lake, the biggest lake in Maryland, if you'd like to make a day of the mountains.

On behalf of Ranger Boone Merrick and myself, thank you for walking Swallow Falls with us. If you enjoyed it, we'd be grateful if you'd leave us a review — it helps other folks find their way to these wild, beautiful corners. Come back in October when the whole gorge is on fire with color, mind your footing on the way out, and carry a little of this old forest's quiet home with you. This has been Ranger Quinn — take care now.

Photo: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Regional Cartographic Division, Upper Darby, PA · Public domain

Good to know
Where is Closing the Loop?
Closing the Loop. The walk back through the forest — and a farewell from your rangers.
Is there an audio tour of Closing the Loop?
Yes — Closing the Loop is a stop on the Swallow Falls: Maryland's Old-Growth Gorge self-guided audio tour. The story plays automatically by GPS as you walk there, and works offline. Get the free Ranger Tales app on iPhone or Android.
🎧 Get the tour

Hear Closing the Loop's story on the drive

Download the tour, leave your phone in your pocket, and let it play itself as you go. Works offline.

Buy the self-guided tour, or get it in the app.