C&O / GAP Forum

Where can you park long term (1 week) in Cumberland if the National Park is closed. We use to park under the Interstate overpass.

We have been trying to find this out as well. It has been a C & O lot, and thus should be closed. But the ATA website says nothing.

I'd suggest you phone the Cumberland Trail Connection bicycle shop in Cumberland. I bet they'll have some suggestions for you.

Great minds--we called yesterday and they said that the parking lot is open

I called the bike shop first but was looking for some additional input as I'm parking there for 4 days. Cumberland Connections told me no problem parking for multi days. Just wondering if anyone had done so since the closure.

Not since the closure, but my wife and I left our car there for 6 days while we hiked Connellsville to Cumberland, in July and didn't have any problems.

I finally did get an email back, and they said this was not shut down because it is a joint operation between three organizations: the C & O park, the Western Maryland Historical Society, and the GAP folks.

As we were planning our Sept 2013 trip down the GAP and C&O, we found it useful to read others blogs. Here's our blog--we were not the typical trail users as we took our time to travel from Pittsburgh to DC.
downaroad.com

I am not sure there is a "typical trail user," which is a good thing. We were always made to feel welcome even if we are older folks who don't wear spandex.

This is not listed in the Towns & Services and should be. http://hfstonehouse.com/

It is the closest B & B to the trail. He has a little yard, so bikes could be pulled in safely. This was very clean, and he left enough historic stuff while making it comfortable.

The only downside is the noise of trains all night, as it is quite close to train tracks--but that is true of much lodging along both trails.

I have a trip planned in October to ride the GAP/C&O from Pittsburgh to DC. If the government shuts down, does anyone know what happens to the C&O Canal Towpath since it is considered a national park? Do they block access and not allow anyone to ride it? Or do they just close the welcome centers? This is making me very nervous for this trip I had planned for months! Thanks in advance for any help.

I don't see how they could block access, there's way too many places to get on the trail over those hundreds of miles. Even if they post closed signs at the trailheads who's going to enforce them if the rangers are furloughed? I don't see it as being practical or probable that you won't be able to ride the trail. If I were in your shoes, I'd go ahead as planned and make adjustments on the fly if you really have to.

Yeah, but some places along the way will also be shut down, such as Harpers Ferry National Historical Park:(

The trail won't be shut down, but any government provided services will. Most likely this would be trail maintenance or trash removal.

Thanks for the responses. I guess we'll just go ahead as planned and hope for the best. It still would be disappointing to not able to see things in DC like the Lincoln Memorial or Smithsonian. :( Oh well, what can you do... Hopefully the shutdown doesn't occur or only lasts a few days.

Apologies for accidentally starting a new thread when I meant to comment over here.

Ran across this article, which made it sound like they would run people off the trail. Strange, because they don't close federal highways during a shutdown. But to kick cyclists off the trail onto roads of questionable safety...

http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/facing-government-shutdown-federal-parks-in-hagerstown-area-prepare-to/article_6260b9a0-2a24-11e3-83f6-0019bb30f31a.html?mode=jqm

or

http://tinyurl.com/m4paasl

I was told by the c&o canal trust that camp grounds and I assume porta johns and water supply would be closed for hikers and bikers. the trail might be accessible but I imagine sections like Harper's ferry and big slack water could be sectioned off making thru trip difficult/ impossible

I emailed the National Park Service with the same question, and here is the response they sent me:

"If the government is shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations, the park and all visitor facilities will be closed."

I also have been considering a fall trip on the C&O Canal - GAP trails, but will wait until this budget nonsense is sorted out. I have to drive too far (4-5 hours) to risk getting turned away.

Well this absolutely sucks. :( I still have 2 weeks until my trip, so hopefully the shutdown is lifted by then. But please keep reporting any info you get on the C&O closure, it is greatly appreciated.

Well, it's officially closed. I mean, REALLY closed. Gosh. It's a dirt path, not Fort Knox.

http://www.canaltrust.org/trust/index.php?page=government-shutdown

I find it frustrating that none of this information was available a week ago so that folks could plan. Every agency had plans, and it would have been nice to share with the public whether a shutdown would only close visitors centers, or whether the path itself would be closed.

Is it true that the GAP is not affected by the shutdown? I thought the parking lot in Cumberland was run by the C & O. Is that available during the shutdown, does anyone know? The phone number was for part of the C & O park.

I made all my plans and reservations weeks ago and am headed to Pittsburgh next Sunday. I guess I'll find out just how serious things are when I get to Cumberland in the middle of next week, and figure out how to get to Washington from there.

All sorts of conflicting info if you are allowed on trail. But sounds like camping sites and bathrooms are closed. I am so confused.

"They received conflicting information from the news media and park rangers about what exactly would be open, they said. A ranger in Harpers Ferry told them the trail would be open but the campgrounds and bathrooms would be closed. An email from the C&O Canal Trust stated the towpath will be closed during the shutdown."



From: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/business_topics/employment/article_0832c7e3-bf24-506b-97a0-f4a69ad7acc9.html

I just finished a Pittsburgh to Cumberland trip yesterday (10/1 around 4:30pm). I had no issues due to the govt shutdown. I saw that someone posted a note on a bulletin board in Rockwood about the C&O Towpath being closed. I was worried that they might close the Big Savage Tunnel too but that was open and the lights were on.

Harpers Ferry website claims the trails are open and they are still welcoming visitors. This is all very confusing and frustrating. I wish someone would come out and say for sure whether they would actually kick people off the trail or just allow them to ride through. The Canal Trust page implies you'll be trespassing if you're on the trail, and other sources seem to indicate no one cares.

http://historicharpersferry.com/

DURING THE GOVERMENT SHUTDOWN, THE C&O CANAL TOWPATH IS CLOSED

- Visitor traffic, whether on foot, bike, or horse, is strictly prohibited.
- Bicyclists planning rides from Pittsburgh to DC on the GAP and C&O Canal should plan to turn back at Cumberland.
- All Visitors Centers are CLOSED.
- Hiker/Bikers and campgrounds are CLOSED.
- The Canal Quarters lockhouses are CLOSED.
- All restroom facilities, both permanent and portable, are CLOSED.
- Handles have been removed from all well pumps.
- The only Park staff that will be on duty will be law enforcement rangers.
- The portion of the Capital Crescent Trail that runs parallel to the towpath in DC is managed by the C&O Canal NHP and is CLOSED.
- All access roads to the Park are CLOSED. This means you will not be able to trailer boats to boat ramps along the towpath.
- Interpretive and educational programming in the Park will be temporarily suspended. School field trips to the Park will need to be rescheduled once Park staff has returned.
- Volunteer events and events requiring special use permits will not be able to take place.
- All volunteers working in an official capacity should cease volunteer activities immediately and not enter the Park's premises.

THE GOVERMENT SHUTDOWN DOES NOT AFFECT THE GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE, as it is not a federal park

So while the park is closed, how are travelers that were mid route getting through? Are people still using the trail regardless of the closure, and if not what alternatives are there to getting from town to town?

A news story this morning said that, "Trespassing in a national park carries a maximum fine of $500 and up to six months in jail, according to the Criminal Resource Manual issued to U.S. attorneys."

Talked to a B & B manager on Wednesday who said his traffic had not slowed down. He's getting people both directions.

The paved Western Maryland railroad trail from Ft. Frederick to Pearre is on state land and definitely open. So that's 22 miles available. (confirmed by email with the wonderful map guy)

Wonder about the Paw Paw tunnel--that seems more "closable" than other parts of the trail.

People what part of CLOSED don't you understand. It is CLOSED. Move on and make other plans. If you go to the HOME Page of this site, the rule is stated in bright red.
The C&O Canal Trail is CLOSED. They will arrest you if you attempt to trespass.
****
The GAP is OPEN. Enjoy that part of your trip, maybe spend a couple extra days at Ohiopyle State Park.

****
God Bless America!

I'm guessing the Paw Paw Tunnel could be bypassed by the trail running over it. A shame since it's been twenty-five years since I've been through it.

Are there any sites out there with experiences on what things are like at the moment?

Returned yesterday from riding the C & O both directions. Monday at 6:30 am they banded the porta potties shut and pulled the pump handles. You have to be creative about finding water, but it ins't too difficult. The park rangers are not asking anyone to leave or preventing access. You may walk or bike and are able to get onto the trail with out difficulty. All services are discontinued. The parking areas are blocked off. You will have to find alternate parking. There was, as of yesterday, still a large number of hiker/bikers on the towpath. Hope it helps.

Great to know. I leave for Pittsburgh tomorrow and should be at Cumberland by Wednesday.

Thanks for the info John! What part of the towpath were you on? Or did you bike the whole thing? I leave next Sunday and I'm still debating whether to continue through as planned, or just do an out and back from Pgh to Cumberland instead.

I walked a short part of the canal around Point of Rocks this morning. There were signs saying the park is closed, and the roadway is gated so you can't park near the boat ramp there. I intentionally ignored the sign, half hoping that a Ranger would be around to try to tell me to leave. I'll do the same tomorrow. The Park Service is being played here. I saw no rangers, and there were a few other people on the trail, along with numerous cars in the train station parking lot with bike racks on them. I say we need plenty of civil disobedience!

I biked around Pittsburgh this morning and ran into several people on the trails that were making the Pittsburgh to DC trek. I guess people aren't really altering their plans due to this shutdown.

My trip was from Mckeesport to DC and then back to Hancock. I was eastbound near Williamsport MD when they shut it down. I saw 2 rangers in the whole trip and was not stopped by either. I pasted on ranger vehicle driving on the tow path at Harpers Ferry. I continued my trip and would continue with any planned trips at this time. Just be aware of the lack of services along the tow path. Businesses and individuals along the trail were great at assisting with any needs. Happy biking!

There were no obstructions to travel or bike entrance to and from the park anywhere. There were gates and vehicle barricades at the entrances. The bridge to Harpers Ferry was open. The path to the Great falls was Partially blocked by a gate. There were less people later in the week but still a lot of biker/hikers.

Spoke with Dennis Hudson, proprietor of C&O Bicycle in Hancock, Monday morning. There is talk, from NPS HQ in Hagerstown, that if the shut down continues that the Paw Paw Tunnel will be barricaded to prevent hiker-bikers from traveling through. What a crock! These jerks are swallowing camels and straining at nats. My fall vacation plans are totally trashed.

Hi All!

So has anyone heard about the camp sites have been used during the shutdown? If so did anyone have issues with the rangers?

Thanks!

John

Well, I'm leaving tomorrow morning as scheduled and will hope for the best! It sure looks like the shutdown isn't ending this weekend, so I'll press on and carry plenty of water....

You should be fine. I'm in Harpers Ferry about to start the list bit to Washington. Along the C&O people are using the campsites and half of the bathrooms have been broken into. The water pumps still have no handles, but since it's been raining for two days the canal is a bit muddy.

Made it to Frostburg today. Tomorrow we venture on to Hancock. We'll see what happens! Looking forward to riding the C&O, shutdown or no shutdown.

The C&O is closed!

If you see or witness vandalism taking place like Bathrooms being broken into, it is your duty to report any crime.

It is disgusting that many of you have resorted to vandalism just to prove a point. Contact your REPs in Washington and get them to do the job they were elected to do.
Don't take you rage out on the Rangers or a beautiful Park System. Money spent repairing vandalism could have been used to make much needed improvements. Think People!!

I agree.
There's no excuse for vandalism, none.
Towns are close enough and if you Really have to go get off the trail and dig a small hole to take care of business in. Then put the dirt back in the hole and it's gone.

Made it to DC today! What a great trip. We had no major issues and the weather was cooperative. Thanks to all who responded in this thread, it was helpful. Today,we were even legal. Lol. When we left Harpers Ferry this morning the ranger was reopening all the exhibits. And as far as vandalism, there wasn't any. Just some porta potties that had the zip ties removed so they could be used. No one actually damaged them. Everything will be fine.

I have been remiss in not posting our experience, because we were self-supporting and did not have room for a laptop, and went directly from the trail to a professional conference.

We missed the first two days on the trail (10/7-8). Because we had to drive up to the area, we did other things that first day, and on the second day rode some out of Harpers Ferry, seeing no signs of closure. So we drove to Williamsport, and left our car at the Red Roof Inn, who are so supportive of cyclists and have a form to fill out for those leaving a vehicle.

We did see some vandalism, beyond the liberation of porta-potties. At Oldtown, there was grafitti on the concrete barriers, something like, "The park doesn't belong to the government, it belongs to the people!"

But as I noted in another thread, the real problem is that the C & O is incorrectly characterized as a National Park. There are so many access points that it should be re-classified as a National Forest, and thus remain open during shutdowns, even though visitors centers and other facilities are closed. People in the DC area use parts of the trail for commuting into work. We don't close national highways during a shutdown, why would we close this thoroughfare?

I saw in my local paper yesterday that Amtrak ran a test run along the GAP to see how long it took to load bikes at the depots. Linda Boxx McKenna and several others took part. For more, ceheck out the Tribune review site for the story.

I think that the GAP helps the C&O a lot more then the C&O does for the GAP. If it wasn't for the GAP the Paw Paw tunnel may still be closed. Way to go GAP in pushing for that roll on service.

All National Parks will begin reopening today. All Federal employees began reporting back to work (10/17).
Still awaiting official word from the Park Service, but there should be no issues regarding the C&O Canal.