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Canal Quarters program houses > 1,200 visitors

- Ray (webmaster on 11/20/2010 08:33 AM
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

by Cody Calamaio, Gazette

Potomac, Md. — You won't find wireless internet, or even running water, but for those looking to experience a day in the life of the bygone era of the C&O Canal, there are no better digs than a historic canal lockhouse.

In its first year, the Canal Quarters program has had more than 1,200 guests from 31 states stay in one of three historic lockhouses, far exceeding organizers' expectations, said Matt Logan, president of the C&O Canal Trust, a nonprofit that operates the program.

"It was really a risk, because nothing like it has been done in a national park system," Logan said.

Conceived of as a way to provide visitors of the C&O Canal with a unique and educational experience, there are now three historic lockhouses in Bethesda, Potomac and Clear Spring that can house guests overnight. The first year was so successful that plans are in the works to open three more lockhouses in 2011.

Built in the 1820s, each of the lockhouses was once occupied by lock tenders who operated the locks that moved boats up and down the C&O Canal, Logan said. The locks ceased operation in 1924, but some houses remained occupied until the 1970s.

All of the park's 26 lockhouses are on the National Register of Historic Places and are just some of the park's 1,300 historic structures, said Sam Tamburro, the park's cultural resource program manager for the National Park Service.

Not only are the two-story buildings historic, complete with either stone....

Full article at http://www.canaltrust.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=179&cntnt01returnid=109
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Mckeesport to Amtrak station
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cathy from farmington, nm on 07/10/2010 04:46 PM
Is there a good bike route from the end of the trail to the Amtrak station in Pittsburgh? Thanks for any information!

Cass from Falls Church, Va on 07/14/2010 12:42 PM
not that I found- did that two days ago- it was quite harry. Had to carry the bikes down some freeway stairs at some point, and got all spun around near some cadmium processing facility. Eventually found a spot to carry the bikes across the train tracks back on to the trail that gets you all the way into the city via the hot metal bridge. It's definitely doable, and I wish I'd have actually looked at Google Maps or something first and written it down, but it's not for the faint of heart. Good luck!

cathy from farmington, nm on 10/31/2010 09:27 PM
thanks...I think we'll get a shuttle!
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Cumberland Trail Connection in Cumberland
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jeff on 10/31/2010 08:38 PM
Supper crew and a welcomed cup of coffee after a below freezing start at Paw Paw. Definitely got the stuff you need
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Best travel direction
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aro from Scottsdale on 04/18/2010 11:49 AM
What is the best direction for travel? It appears that the elevation change from E to W is very sharp at the Cumberland area.

whisperingwind from Hagerstown Md on 05/20/2010 12:45 PM
From Georgetown Md to Cumberland Md on the C&O, the elevation change is 605 feet in 184 miles. On the GAP, you have constant elevation changes between Cumberland and Pittsburg. So my direction of travel would be from Pittsburg to Cumberland on the GAP, however, on the C&O, I would rather start in G-town and head west to Cumberland.

km from cape cod, ma on 05/25/2010 11:15 AM
I just finished the trip riding from DC to Pittsburgh with my aunt and uncle. We all agreed that it is best to go in that direction. The entire path is pretty flat, even the "climb" west of Cumberland. The C&O Towpath seemed great to us, until we got to the GAP path, which was in even better condition and seems to drain better if it is rainy. Don't be scared by the elevation chart--there is a lot of vertical exaggeration in it!

jeff from madison on 10/05/2010 10:35 PM
Glade to here that it is not bad out of Cumberland. Going to do a 100 mile day trip from Paw Paw to the eastern continental divide and back in late October

Libertaian from Florida on 10/31/2010 08:05 AM
WHY the preference for traveling westward versus eastward?
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Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle
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Anonymous on 10/26/2010 05:52 AM
Wilderness Voyageurs offers Inn to Innbike tours 3-day, 6-day and custom tours
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Falling Waters Lock
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TZ from Frederick on 10/21/2010 11:33 AM
We drove Falling Waters Road trying to hike at the F.W. lock; but the road led to a private gun club. Is there another road & parking that is near the F.W. lock?
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Ramp Closed During Debris Removal
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Ray on 10/18/2010 05:29 AM
Dickerson, MD. - The Monocacy River boat ramp will be closed weekdays from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during the debris removal process at the Monocacy Aqueduct, located in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Recently, maintenance staff cleared debris from the two outer arches of the Monocacy Aqueduct, allowing boats to safely pass from the Monocacy River to the Potomac River. Garcete Construction was awarded the debris removal contract and has begun work to clear the remaining debris. Park staff anticipates more arches will open soon.

During the debris removal process visitors should use care when passing through the work zone and anticipate increased traffic on Mouth of Monocacy Road. For more information, please contact Mike Seibert, Chief of Maintenance Division, at (301) 714-2239.
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Leesburg hotels
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Oct 2010 trail rider from Indianapolis on 10/12/2010 01:31 PM
If you look at the web site for the Leesburg Colonial Inn it says they offer shuttle service from the C&O trail to their facility. DON'T BELIEVE IT! It took them 3 hours to come get me and then they left me stranded at the hotel the next morning with no way back to the trail. I had to end up calling a cab that cost me $27. Avoid this hotel.
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Bill's Place in Little Orleans
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Brian from Walkersville on 09/21/2010 06:40 PM
found Bill's Place 3 years ago during East Coast Sturgis and have gone since then. Love the uniqueness of the place and Bill is a fun guy. Can't wait for the Halloween party!!

Randy from Elizabethtown, PA on 10/06/2010 09:35 AM
Planning a day trip. Where is parking available near the C&O Canal near the Little Orleans area? I'm looking at the Google Satellite image and I don't see much. It could be obscured by trees. There's supposed to be a Camp Site right off the trail. Is the Parking relatively secure. Can you park near Bill's Place? Thanks.
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Dam 4 Detour
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Cyclesome from Hooversville, Pa on 09/23/2010 02:25 PM
Is there any other way to bypass the Dam 4 Detour? I hear it is steep and I am not sure I want my mom riding on this section. Any ideas on how to avoid this section to continue on? Walk your bike on towpath? Advice needed.

Pete F from Mechanicsville on 09/27/2010 09:03 PM
I rode west last year and I think there is only one way to ride the bypass. There was a steep hill on a windy road as soon as I got off of the trail but that last long. I think it was at most a half mile and then the rest of the bypass was a very gentle ride back to the towpath.

jeff from madison on 10/05/2010 10:19 PM
wait a few years till it is fixed? Steep for a little ways out of the river basin. After that rolling hills with fairly cautious drivers.
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Parking in Cumberland and Williamsport
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Pete F from Mechanicsville on 09/27/2010 08:44 PM
I've got two days to do a short ride next week. Where are some good places for overnight parking in Cumberland and Williamsport? Or maybe near Great Falls and Williamsport? Is overnight parking at visitors' centers a good idea (or even permissible)?
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Lockhouse 6 to the Tiadal Basin
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Larry, North Huntingdon, Pa from North Huntingdon on 09/15/2010 08:08 PM
Planning a trip in late March 2011 to see the cherry blossoms. We are staying at Lockhouse 6 on the C&O. Could some one please tell me the SAFEIST rout to the Tideal Basin. I would like to do all trail if at all possable. Your help would be greatly appreieated. Thanks!

Michael from Woodbridge,VA on 09/21/2010 01:36 AM
When you get to D.C., head down to the National Mall. DO NOT ride close to the cherry blossoms. Park your bike and LOCK it up with wheel off and take the seat with you as seat thefts are abundant in D.C. area. Walk to the cherry blossoms and enjoy them. It is impossible for biker to take bikes around the trees when people are out seeing the trees in full blossom. Peak time is never the same each year, but the Park Service does a good job with telling public when they are near peak and are at peak. I suggest going to see them in the morning during a work day as people are in the offices and tourists are not as much. Hope this helps.

I am starting to plan the GAP trip from D.C. to PITT for sometime in the spring. I hope to do it in a week as I like to take my time and enjoy the scenery. Plus, 100 miles a day is not something that I think my rear would enjoy.

Larry from North Huntingdon, Pa on 09/26/2010 10:23 AM
Michael, Thank you very much for the info, very helpfull. I'm with you on the 100 mile days, Good luck on your trip. I live on the other end from you. If I can answer any questions you may have about this end ,Good food ect, please shout them out.

Larry from North Huntingdon on 09/26/2010 09:37 PM
Michael or anyone else planning a trip to the Pittsburgh end. If you can fit Ceader Creek in your schedule as a camp spot you will not be dissapointed. Nice park, tables, grills & fire rings & wood is usualy plentyfull. FREE to bikers & hikers. VERY NICE stop right on the trail. No road-ride
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Bill's Place in Little Orleans
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biker from linden tx. on 07/01/2010 09:56 PM
loved this place. good food cold beer.

Bonnie from Little Orleans on 09/04/2010 10:55 PM
nice that you stoped at my dad's place.Keep him in your prayers,he has 4th.stage lung cancer.He is still working and loves meeting new people.

Jack from Winchester, VA on 09/21/2010 06:44 AM
Bills is about the coolest place on the trail. Was there last weekend and stayed at the park campsite. Everything was good.
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Boston Lodging
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Jobtraklite from Quincy, Il on 06/14/2010 12:48 PM
You do not list the

Yough Shore Inn
1403 Boston Hollow Rd
Boston, PA 15135
412-754-0440 (phone)

I should add that their website which I accessed just a few days ago has expired.

Jobtraklite from Quincy, Il on 09/15/2010 07:54 PM
We enjoyed our stay in the "safari" room at the Yough Shore Inn on our ride from the Pittsburgh Amtrak to Cumberland Amtrak. The inn is located 0.4 mile from the trail, a little less than half way on a side street and the rest on a main road with shoulders. I was expecting it to be up a hill, but there was none.

From the front it looks more like a suburban ranch house than a Yuppie weekend get-away B&B. But the view from the deck in the rear made up for it. The layout and breakfast was especially well suited for bicycle tourists.

The room decor is definitely different.
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Overnight Parking around mile 20?
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Carla from Arlington, VA on 09/15/2010 03:11 PM
I'm up to my last long run before my marathon, and wanted to do the 20 miles on the C&O Canal, one way, instead of the out and back route I now do (I just ran a 20 out and back, and loved the view, I want to see more this time!). I'm starting from Georgetown, but for the life of me I cannot find a place to park my car overnight near mile 20 (give or take 3 miles is fine). It needs to be overnight, since I live in Arlington, and my run will start at 6am. Any ideas?
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Getting started on C&O trail
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DP from Pittsburgh on 08/27/2010 02:51 PM
I'm leaving Union Station in DC to start my trip from DC to Pgh. I've never been on the C&O trail. Worried about navigating those first few miles. Any words of wisdom about keeping on the trail in DC and first 10-15 miles and not getting lost?

Paul Mulvey from Easton PA on 09/12/2010 07:28 AM
The trail is very well marked, and it starts in Georgetown. Once you get to Georgetown, you should have no problem staying on the trail all the way to Cumberland.
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DP from Pittsburgh on 08/27/2010 02:52 PM
Anyone camped at McMahon's Mill Campground? Would love to know what you think.
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Bill's Place in Little Orleans
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Dollar Bill from White Marsh MD on 08/16/2010 02:29 PM
My family and I go here every year while camping at Little Orleans Camp Ground to celebrate my daughters birthday. We all think Bill is the greatest with his stories and jokes. Just a great place to visit.
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Riverrun B&B in Hancock
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Anonymous on 08/14/2010 09:20 AM
Great place for bikers w/laundry facilities, secure bike storage, central a/c, wi fi, computer, DVD, great breakfast, close to bike shop, closest to C&O Canal and WMRT. All newly renovated in former whiskey warehouse.
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Trail conditions??
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Lauren from Arlington on 08/12/2010 06:48 PM
We are heading to Pittsburgh next week to bike the GAP and C and O back to DC.... Any one know anything about how the trail looks following all these thunderstorms??
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West Newton 136 bridge
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Ray on 07/12/2010 07:43 PM
Allegheny Trail Alliance reports: The 136 bridge in West Newton has been closed due to structural safety concerns. GAP trail & all businesses still open -use W136 to access!

Larry from North Huntingdon, Pa. on 08/06/2010 09:45 PM
Bridge work is now compleat. Open both ways
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