C&O / GAP Forum

Update: Kings Pizza is about 2 miles from the C&O towpath, not 4 miles as the site states. They have great pizza, as well as hot and cold subs. I highly recommend the garlic knots and the Steak & Cheese sub ... delicious. Ask for Adele or Uvaldo, who own and manage this family-owned business (formely New Yorkers, with Brooklyn roots) and they will take good care of you! In just a short time going there, we have become good friends and they really value your business.

Google Map say's its only .3 tens of a mile from the C&O Towpath. I have never been there so I don't know for sure. Does anyone else know for sure?

3 blocks

This is not listed but a heads up, unless there is absolutely no rooms at any of the other motels/B&B’s in Hancock, or you’re a masochist, do not stay at the Hilltop Inn aka Hancock Budget Motel. This place is a dump. It has degenerated into low income lodging for recipients receiving SSDI, prison transition, and Section 8 Housing. Very scary people living their. You have been warned.

The Triangle Tavern and Grill is located less than 50 feet west from the park-n-ride on Main street. Good food and spirits. A great place to stop, especially if you are coming up canal, and have a libation before continuing into town where all the lodging is located.

There is a nice restaurant in Hancock called the Park-n-Dine, just off the towpath/rail trail less than 100 feet west of the park-n-ride lot on Main Street. Good food and serves breakfast. Sundays they serve a buffet dinner for less than $15 per head. Good salad bar.

The small country store just up the road from Spring Gap campground is closed. I think the Post Office is also closed. Very depressed area. Not much between Cumberland and Hancock.

This is not related to the C&O per se, but if your bike along the Western Maryland Rail Trail approx. 6 miles after Hancock, Maryland you can see a large Quartz outcropping on a Mountain in the direction of the Potomac River and West Virginia. A local told me it is called "Lovers Leap". However a search of "Lovers Leap" brings up several locations. This Mountain is definitely in West Virginia. On the WMRT, there is a mansion in this location as well to give you a better idea where it is located. The views of the Potomac and the C&O Canal must be incredible. Can anyone confirm the name of this rock outcropping? Is there a trail that takes you to the top? Thanks!

LOST & FOUND: I found a Polar watch/heart monitor today in the parking at the Waterfront. if you can give me a description of it and where it was at in the parking lot then you can have it back. Just respond to this post. Thanks

My wife and I are planning a thru ride along the Passage/C&O this coming Oct. We currently both use WTB Vulpine 2" 29er tires. They roll pretty good but I'm thinking about switching to the Schwalbe Marathon Tires for our ride. I know they'll be fine for the Passage but with a width of 1 3/4 inches I'm not sure how they'll handle the ruts and other trail hazards along the C&O. Anyone use this tire? Other suggestions? I'm mainly looking for something durable but with less rolling resistance. Thanks.

I don't know if this will help you, but 10 years ago I rode from Cumberland to DC on a road bike with 700 x 25's. It rained 2 of the 3 days, so it wasn't much fun; but the tires did OK.

Now, I have Schwalbe Marathon 20 x 1.5's on my folding bike. I haven't tried the C&O with them. I suspect the hinges would take a beating; but the tires would be OK.

I just completed a 3 day ride from Pittsburgh to DC on my Road Bike. Only modifications I made for the trip were replacing my skinny tires with Conti Touring Plus 700c x 28m and added a cat Eye headlight. I carried no gear and stayed in B&Bs. I was frequently warned about roots, ruts, and rocks but found the trail very rideable with this setup.

A piece on NPR today made me think that the C & O fits the definition of a national forest much better than a National Park. And apparently national forests are open, so a reclassification would prevent problems during a shutdown.

Quote:
Jarvis also describes national park areas as having "limited access points, gates and entrance stations" — with rangers available to "inform visitors what they can and cannot do."

National forest and BLM lands, he says, "would nearly be impossible to close because there are so many access points. Secondly, those lands are open to a wide range of public activities."

Full story at
http://www.npr.org/2013/10/03/228719015/national-parks-close-as-other-public-lands-stay-open

The "Drive In(n)" in the name is a throwback to its origins. I didn't see any car hops nor would I expect such good food cooked from scratch at a drive inn. I recommend the cordon bleu. If you want to feed a family or have enough left over for lunch, order the big breakfast. When I got my bill, I thought sure the waitress had forgotten to add my wife's order to it. But she hadn't.

And if you want to camp in Meyesdale, these are the folks to talk to. They'll register you and tell you where to go. And Paul's right about the food

Yeah, I can't reschedule my vacation, and my husband will be furloughed in the shutdown, so we might as well go. We're headed the opposite direction next week.

Let me know how your trip goes and if you run into any problems with trail closures. I'll be riding through the week of Oct 13.

I'm thinking of hiking the C&O canal in Jan/feb 2014. Does anyone know if campgrounds and other services are available in winter months?

I think it would be a beautiful hike in the winter. Having said that, I believe they may have the water hand pumps locked.Just not sure so check into that.

I hiked the C+O starting in March of 2011. The hiker/biker campgrounds should be usable BUT the park service removes the handles from the water pumps in winter. I walked into several towns along the way just to get water even when I didn't need resupply. It'll add some miles but not an unreasonable amount. I was also able to yogi water from people out for a walk or a bicycle ride. I say go for it!

I hiked the Katy trail this summer, and am now wanting to do the C&O/GAP (may check out the C&O in just a couple weeks). It seems that campsites might be sparse...but I see many have hiked the trail. Where is the best hiker info? Thanks!

I used this web site and the TrailBook to plan my hike. You can find the book at http://www.atatrail.org/store/proddetail.cfm?CFID=4241084&CFTOKEN=34878395&ItemID=90&CategoryID=3
It was easy to plan since you go past so many towns right along the trail. The C+O has places to camp every 5 or 6 miles. The GAP is a little more difficult and I did have to stealth camp a few times, as well as stay at all the regular campsites along the GAP. Just know that you'll be able to cover lots of miles a day, if you want to, since the trail is so flat

The Mid-Atlantic can get some good snowstorms and icy conditions in the January and February time frame. That is also the period when this area gets the most chill. Keep in mind, if you hiked this time of the year, you would pretty much be on your own in case anything would happen.

Since the original poster, who asked the question, is from Alaska I'm assuming that he's a seasoned winter camper, and in the outdoors you've always got to figure that you're on your own. And on the C+O you're never far from civilization. He might need snow shoes, or other traction aides, and have to camp in a foot or two of snow.

All
-wherever you ride, remember to help another biker out...a month ago, I had a hole rubbed in my tire by front brakes: spare tube but no spare tire. After a short walk ended in a bike trail parking lot where I was able to hitch, with my bike, a ride 15 miles to my car. This evening I was able to pay that favor "forward" by completing my ride then returning to a point on trail to meet a rider whose chain had broken to drive him home.
Risky? So is life I guess, but let's help one another out when we can!

Great post Roy.

Good point. About a year ago I was biking the trail for the day and had an accident. A stick bounced up and lodged in my chain which brought my bike to an abrupt stop and I fell over on the rocky surface. I was pretty banged up and bleeding on my leg, shoulder and arm. Another biker with a flashy bike outfit (with head to toe advertisements) buzzed right past me and didn't even stop to see if I was okay. If I would have seen another biker in that condition I would have stopped to render assistance.

Does anyone know the status of the hostel. I heard a rumor that because of flooding, opening for the 2010 season was uncertain.

The hostel is closed due to faulty wiring. They are applying for a grant for repairs. No time frame for reopening at this time.

As of our visit on 9/21/13, it was closed. Based on an article in the local newspaper, it looks like the community center in which it is located might never reopen.

We recently stayed here for the second time while biking the GAP. It is a nice, well maintained mom & pop - clean, quiet, and comfortable. However, it does lack amenities such as microwave, fridge, breakfast, and coffee.

We didn't have any trouble with the 1.6 mile road ride from the trail; but those who aren't used to road riding might disagree.

We recently stayed here for the third time and it was still the way I remember it from previous bike trips.

I recently stayed here with a group of 6 and found it very nice and not overly yuppyish.

Given the difficulty of finding a beer in Pennsylvania, the snack bar at the nearby 10th hole was a plus.

But the best part was the adjacent restaurant. In addition to the provided breakfast, we had supper there. The food was good, portions huge, and prices reasonable. For breakfast you order whatever you want from the menu; and mine was so large that I had half of it for lunch along the trail.

The only downside was the almost 1 mile ride uphill from the trail.

We are biking the passage from Connelsville, Pa . to Perryopolis, Pa. Is there a pick up service at perryopolis to take you back to your vehicle in Connelsviille?

Place was closed with big For Sale sign in window.

We are currently biking from Pittsburgh to DC. Tonight we are in Confluence...had looked forward to dinner at the Lucky Dog, but no such luck. In fact all the restaurants in town are closed weekdays since Labor Day. There is one fast food pizza place and the grocery store.

I think II sisters is always open. Its a nice little dine/restaurant in town!!

Two Sisters is only open until 2p

I am wondering about availability of water in the stretches between towns on the C&O. I have read that some people filter the pump water at the camp sites, but I am wondering if this is necessary (for both taste and "safety" reasons).
Most days (when I am not carrying any extra weight in gear) I usually use the largest camelback available, but a smaller one refilled more frequently would be helpful.
Any advice?

I never drank the cistern water, although it is probably OK,I was was always able to get water daily at my half way stops along the trail,ei Paw Paw, Williamsport and Whites Station.

Cistern water tastes like iodine...tried it once and disliked greatly. Used 2, 20oz. bike bottles and a quart Nalgene: filled up at trail towns and always had plenty...never tried cistern water again.

It is treated with Iodine and will appear cloudy when you put it into a Bottle. It is tested frequently and is very safe to drink. I did drink it a couple times without filtering it and did not get sick. I did grow a third arm though that comes in handy from time to time. :)

Thanks for the comments. I think we are going to try to just keep our water packs full at trail towns, and if something unforeseeable happens, we will just deal with the taste.

I hiked the C+O in 2011 and used water from the pumps regularly with no bad taste or other problems.

I don't think the NPS would allow you to drink water from the Pumps if there was even a hint the water was unsafe. It's safe to drink. It is treated with Iodine.

However, some people are allergic to iodine. Pregnant women, women over 50 and people with thyroid problems should consult their doctors before using iodine treatment for water purification.

.

Not sure about all of the fuss. I just rode the trail and the water was excellent. Drank it, washed with it -- tasted great. Not all campsites have water pumps that work, but there are plenty of places to get water - either at the camps and in towns. No worries. I still carry a bladder and a bottle (for camp).

Still waiting for Amtrak to ante up with roll on service on the Capitol Limited. Any one have any news?

I'm gonna ride the trail in July, I know where to park in Mckeesport long term but now I'd like to start in Pittsburgh and ride the entire trail.
Does anyone have any insight on where to park for up to two weeks. Of course free would be the best but anything secure would be great.

There is a parking area On Swinburn St. off of Second Ave, that connects with the Eliza Furnace Trail. It is in the Oakland section of Pgh. This location may take some investigation on your part, but is the only free parking that I know of in Pgh.

OK, thank you very much for the input.
I may have to go to what I know, (Mckeesport) and take a little side trip up to the point to see what I'm missing.

I did a Pitt-DC thru ride earlier this summer and parked for 10 days at the Pumphouse Museum located in Homestead (Pittsburgh). I had to pay for a $25 membership in the museum but I didn't have to worry about my car being towed and no one broke into it (their number is 412-782-0171)

But the Pump house is 10 miles from the POINT.

mqharris, thanks, I checked it out. www.riversofsteel.com has the info on it I need.
This looks promising.

Twisteroo - what did you decide to do about parking?

I was able to park at Station Square for a week at $5/day. This was not posted, but I talked with the people in the parking garage office to get this rate and paid in advance.

Looks like the Station Square parking for $5 a day is no longer available. I just called them and for long term (I need 10 days) they could only give me a monthly lease or a daily rate of $18. Anyone else have any experience to share?

If you are biking the towpath and are considering a stop in Leesburg, VA; I strongly recommend you avoid the Leesburg Colonial Inn! Their website is quite deceiving. They promise a free shuttle. We waited over an hour for our shuttle and called back to remind them to come get us. Some clown showed up with "the boss's" truck and tossed our bikes in the back. The next morning they told us we had to schedule the shuttle the night before with "the boss" which we didn't so we were on our own. The waiter who checked us in the night before (they have no reception area or receptionist, it might be the cook checking you inn if he's not busy) told us the shuttle starts running at 8am as does our free breakfast. He also said we get a complimentary drink at the bar, none of these claims were true. The room was dingy, just a small bar of soap in the bathroom, no shampoo, clutter in the hallway upstairs (a true deathtrap if this place caught fire). A band in the bar downstairs and another one at the outside bar to the rear made it hard to fall alseep. In addition, the morning staff made no apologies nor did they make any attempt to get us a shuttle back to the ferry. They simply brought our bikes to the street and walked back inside without saying a word. It's approximately 5 miles to the ferry. One section of road is quite busy and four lanes. My advice is to stay elsewhere. The Comfort Inn has a reliable shuttle as experienced by some fellow bikers the same day we arrived. My brother and I did the trip from Pittsburgh to DC over 7 days. This was our last overnight stop and by far the worst experience. All of our other stops were great, mostly B&Bs but also a hostel in Rockwood was very nice. The town of Leesburg was great. We had a great dinner and some delicious beer at the Vintage 50 brewhouse. Enjoy Leesburg but a avoid the Leesburg Cononial Inn!

There have been a number of car break-ins lately at the trail access point under the bridge. Don't leave valuables in your car!

Posted 2007 - may still apply. Take the necessary precautions wherever you park on the C&O.

Keep all valuables out of sight (even small change). Lock your valuables in your trunk. Don't be an easy target.

It can be hard to find "mile zero" - here's a video to help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kzs51zRsSY

thanks for the Mile Marker "0" info.

Can't find a map that has the miles from the trail, up over the bridge into downtown Shepherdstown WV. Anyone know the miles and how safe of a ride it is?

Try this site we're now on: click on "Towns and Services" go to Shepherdstown and click that link, map is displayed. Safe? Couldn't tell you...after 300 miles this ole boy didn't want to spend energy to get UP to that bridge!

I hiked the C+O in 2011, including the walk into Shepherdstown. I didn't think it was too far.

Do I need a permit to camp. If so where do I get it.

This is a free campsite at mile marker 16. I think it has 5 to 7 sites available. Right next to the river, very nice.

It's been a few years ago, but I camped there and no permits were required.