C&O / GAP Forum

I came across some information that indicated the Park Service was going to restore the area on the C&O that has been closed for many years due to rock slides. The area is identified as: Dam 4 to McMahon's Mill. Does anyone have an update as to whether that has been any actual construction? If this news is true we will no longer have to detour onto the Road anymore. Thanks.

yes its true have been working on it for over a year. should be completed late summer

This is great news. I saw where they able to get funding from one of the Stimulus grants, plus the State of MD covered the balance. The detour (Dam Road) was becoming more and more dangerous to ride a bike on. If anyone travels that road be sure to wear a safety vest to improve your visibility. 37 people were injured to date.

I agree that it is dangerious,only because of the inconsiderate drivers. In 2010, the week of July 4th it was 100 derees and the asphalt made the 5 or so mile detour miserable.

Big Savage is posted as being closed through April 10th. Do they ever open before the posted date? Plan to travel trail week or so before that and would love to do Big Savage.

Is it possible to ride the C&O Canal Trail the first week of April. What should I expect, mud, temp etc. ? Thanks

Probably very muddy, if not under water!!

If the water is expected to be high due to Spring flooding, they will close some of the hiker/biker campgrounds; otherwise, spring is a great time to ride! Enjoy!

There hasn't been much (if any) snowfall in most of the Mid-Atlantic so far this winter, so we can discount the Spring Thaw and the associated flooding of the river. Last Spring was horrible, because there was signicant snow melt and heavy rain storms. Last Spring, large sections of the C&O were closed. Typically this area does see some good Spring Storms which can make the trails very muddy. Tough call. For myself, I usually wait until June until I start riding.

Road McKeesport to DC last year; 4 days three nights. Loved it. Anyone know if the construction on the bike route from Pitt to McKeesport is now finished or when it is scheduled for completion?

not yet. I can't wait either.

Can any one tell me how good verizon cell phone coverage is along the GAP and C&O. I have heard it is not the best, but I would like to ride it while returning from DC with my wife returning with the car. Would like to stay in contact at least enough meet in the evenings. Possible?

Cell service is spotty at best between major trailheads,on the towpath, but is ok in most of the towns. The GAP is bad most of the way to Connellsville. Although there is a cell booster at Rockwood.

Thanks for the reply

Looks like Verizon just improved cell service in the cCnfluence area

Planning a trip in early summer anybody have recommendations for a two person shuttle from DC to McKeesport. I have a tandem with a BOB trailer. Thanks Scott

Did the trip alone and unsupported in mid Nov 2011. Bike was a Yeti SB66 strapped with ~ 35 pounds of gear.

I live near DC. Rented a HERTZ one-way ($100) to Cumberland. The car dropoff was 1/4 mile from trailhead.

Started at mile marker 184.5 near the C&0 trailhead. Picked up lunch in Hancock (mm 120) and made it to Lockhouse #49 (where I stayed the night) at Four Locks near mm 108.

Next day, Another 75+ miles passing Shepherdstown and Harper's Ferry WV - crossing the Potomac on Whites Ferry at sundown, eventually ending the day in Leesburg, VA at the Best Western... Nice :)

Last 1/2 day on home turf - Leesburg to Georgetown then home. The weather had been unseasonably warm and beautiful the first two days. But today's cold-rain reminded me what season it was. Had the correct gear so no problem. Arrived in G-Town around 11am and then home right at noon. OH MAN... that was a super fun ride!
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A couple things... I planned my trip @ 60 miles a day whish is certainly doable for any semi-serious bike rider. I averaged almost 80 miles a day. In summer, the additional daylight hours could add 20 miles a day - or give you that much more chill-time.

Don't forget to bring a light for the Paw-Paw tunnel - It really is dark. Dangerously exciting. I could have passed Sasquatch without knowing.

Lots of other cool sights, sounds, and animals throughout the day - very few people this time of year.

I heard mixed reviews about accomodations at Hancock MD. I decided not to gamble, purchased supplies and moved on. I was able to reserve the lockhouse using my iphone and a visa. 15 miles later, I arrived and got in with easy (code) access. Lockhouse #49 was a perfect rustic overnighter.

The Best Western in Leesburg was nice, inexpensive ($85), and had a good continental breakfast setup in the morning.

Rember to always graze on nutritionals and drink plenty of water throughout the day. This rule (and so

Great post. Summer can also be tough. July 5-9 2010 was 105 degrees and 65m/d was tough.

My wife and I bike either the canal or the GAP every July. It can be hot, but the tree canopy is such that we've never felt oppressed by the heat.

Is it too early to start biking in the Meyersdale to Frostburg area in the last week in April (snow, ice, cold, etc.)?

The entire passage should be in good shape by then.

I recently went to the motel to visit a friend and i was greeted by a very rude woman who told me that there was no guests alowed on the property and that wed have to rent a room to visit our firends in their room. terrible customer service i wouldnt recemend staying here.

you must have been a drug dealer or just no good cause i am staying there and she has been nothing but amazing

I also knew guess of this Motel and the room are not the cleans as they should be and the manage plays favor to the tentants and if she does not like you or have a prolbem with you she makes it known to everyone. And to set the record straight I am not a drug dealer I have a real job.

Maybe she thought you were for "hire" :)

The manger the lady you are talking about is very nice and respectful to everyone. You had to be doing something your weren't suppost to be doing or disrespectful to her or someone there. Because that lady your talking about is not like that.

That lady you are talking about. She's the manager of that Motel. She always watched over everything she took care of everything. I know she ran all the rif raf out of the Motel. She cleaned that Motel up. I felt alot safer bringing my family to this Motel. Thanks to the manger Lisa for getting it cleaned up. So know who has a to say anything about that lady.

I'm really sorry to hear that the young lady that has been running the Motel is not there anymore. I went up there last week and she was moving her stuff out. I couldn't believe it. She really turned that Motel around 100% better than it has been for along time. I don't know were I will stay now. I asked her where she was going at that time she didn't know. I gave her my # told her if she gos to another Motel call me. This Motel will be just like it was before she took over. It's really sad. We will miss her and the Motel too. We will not be back unless she comes back.

I love this Motel! It's really sad that the manger Lisa is not there anymore. The place has already started going down hill. Lisa was always so nice to everyone. She kept the place looking better that it ever did before. The rooms were clean, overall the Motel was alot better mange when Lisa was here. I'm sorry disappointed that's she's gone.

I have run on the trail in the areas near the Mouth of the Monocacy aqueduct. It's nice running there but the scenery isn't very interesting. Could anyone recommend other parts of the trail that are a bit more scenic?

I think we are related haha

Stayed here several years ago, and had a great stay after riding south from Cumberland. The owners couldn't have been nicer, and the breakfast the next A.M. was wonderful before heading south again. They shuttle you to and from the trail.

My wife and I stayed at Town Hill during a 3 day ride along the Passage/C&O. Great place, wonderful host's. It would be wise to arrange supper (which was very good) as there is no where to eat except Bill's. For a nominal fee $5 bucks each they shuttled us both ways. It's a long 6 miles! The Alabama tomato pie was worth the lodging fee!

What a switch from my last review. I've stayed at the Town Hill Manor 2-3 times and was always treated very well. However, this past Oct. My group of 6 riders were greatly mistreated. The Passage was high and dry except for a major rock slide just east of Meyersdale, but the C&O was wet and pretty muddy after several days/weeks of lousy weather. The 3rd day we rode from Cumberland to Little Orleans and called for a shuttle from Bill's Place (I'd made the reservation about 3 month's in advance.)When we arrived after stopping at a market for sandwiches we were met in the front yard and told we could eat in the pavilion, it was cold and windy, 50's and we were wet, muddy, cold, and tired. We were told that a 40th high school reunion was going on so we couldn't use the dining area. There were about 40 people there and the room holds over 100. While we were eating the owner kept coming out and reminding us that we would need to brush ourselves and our gear before entering, we were told this about 7 times. I'd already stressed the need to my group and everyone understood. After cleanup we were taken up a few at a time to "keep from bothering" the other guests. Once upstairs we were told to use one shower, there are 3 available. I talked again to the owner about at least using a second shower which he finally allowed. While I was showering last he came up stairs and chastised my group about making too much noise we weren't allowed to come downstairs. The next morning we did enjoy the wonderful breakfast that I'd spoken so highly of even though we were placed away from the other patrons. When I mentioned how I wasn't very happy with the way we were treated the owner stated that several bike groups had misused the place and left dirt and mud behind. I understand that Townhill Manor is a nice place a great place in fact but if your going to take peoples money and it wasn't cheap then you need to except that we don't all arrive by vehicle wearing a coat and tie. I've always tr

I'll be hiking the GAP, this spring, from Mc Keesport to Cumberland to compliment the hike I did last spring of the C+O. Has anyone here ever done a thru hike of the GAP? If so I'd love to hear any advice you have to offer.

note scribe in lock stone> made by w h davis from 1923-1932 he was a locktender of lock 13 and 12

First, let me say THANK You for all the information you have posted on your site.

Our BikePacking trip is a short one, for rookies, 5 days … if you could post on your EVENTS page, we’d be greatful. We would love more people. Lets make it a party!

Here is the information:

Bike with Team Hangover:

Itinerary GAP Trail- Bikepacking 2012 – June 7th-June 12th 2012

Day ONE: Thursday, June 7th
Approx. ride time (not including stops): 4 Hours
Miles today: 32.5
LEAVING: Cumberland, MD (yes we have to drive here…)
ARRIVING: Meyersdale, PA

Day TWO: Friday, June 8th
Approx. ride time (not including stops): 3 Hours, 35 mins
Miles today: 30
LEAVING: Meyersdale, PA
ARRIVING: Confluence, PA

Day THREE: Saturday, June 9th
Approx. ride time (not including stops): 2 Hours
Miles today: 16
LEAVING: Confluence, PA
ARRIVING: Rockwood, PA

Day FOUR: Sunday, June 10th
Approx. ride time (not including stops): 3 Hours, 30 Mins
Miles today: 28
LEAVING: Rockwood, PA
ARRIVING: Frostburg, MD

Day FIVE: Monday, June 11th
Approx. ride time (not including stops): 2 Hours
Miles today: 16.5
LEAVING: Frostburg, MD
ARRIVING: Cumberland, MD
(THIS IS OUR PARTY-HARD NIGHT!)

Day SIX: Tuesday, June 12th
LEAVING: Cumberland, MD – Drive Home

Thank you very much for posting all this information. As a web developer, I can appreciate all the work you put into it, even if it's built in DOT NET ;) ... Thanks again. We're basing our trip on your information.

We are planning a spring ride...Mckeesport to Washington, D.C. On my hybrid, I can travel 60 miles a day and could pretty well do that too along the Erie Canal Tow Path parts which were hard stone dust. Given that, is 50 miles a reasonable day on the C & O?

That is very doable. Your best bet is to check out the bike washington website, and they give you the best overnight/mileage options for camping or hotels based on the number of days (3 to 4) that you are considering.

Just a word of caution, be careful about riding the C&O during Early Spring. Typically the trail is very muddy and areas could experience flooding. The Spring of 2011 was especially harsh. I would wait until the Summer months. With the weather pattern that is setting up for this winter, we could see a repeat of what we had last winter going into Springtime, with flooding concerns. Just food for thought. Good luck!

I agree with Randy concerning a spring trip. I have done the ride your are planning twice and did 60 to 70 miles /day. very pleasant distances for average riders. Most of the best places to stay are in these distance windows. I will list the ones I used,if you like.

Would be interested in your recommendations of places to stay. Thanks.

I have stayed at the following places and all are satisfactory. The Yough Motel, Ohiopyle. The Confluence B&B. Holiday Inn Cumberland (ask for a room in the front because of the railroad. Also in Cumberland the Fairfield Inn. Budget Motel in Hancock. Red Roof Inn, Williamsport. And Comfort Inn Harpers Ferry which becomes Econolodge this Spring.

I too am thinking of doing this ride ... I was thinking of early June. I would be fine with doing the ride alone, but it would probably be nice to do with a group as well if I'm going unsupported. I was thinking of starting right from my house, which is close to the Panhandle Trail which connects to the Montour, which of course runs to the GAP in McKeesport. Reply back if at all interested and I will give my email so we can talk more ... or also just to bounce ideas off each other!

Forgot to add address of trail organization.
Whitsett-Fayette Yough Trail Chapter
231B Main St.
Perryopolis, Pa 15473
724-736-2647

Clarence, thanks to you and your group for all your work in maintaining the trail.
To save time (and 44 cents), is there an email address to which we can write for membership info?

And a little later (ha-ha) cmj245@atlanticbb.net

I presently live in Catonsville, Maryland. My mother was from Pearre four miles from Little Orleans.Prior to Bill owning it, it was Charley Callan's Store. As a kid I was in there many times. I am a friend of Bill Shonadel and have been in his place many times. I had a trailer in Little Orleans campground which I sold in August of 1998. Hope to see Bill again before too long. My son was just up there and took a picture of Bill. I didn't recognize him as it had been 13 years since I have seen him. Beer tastes better at Bill's Place.

Wife and I stopped by during a ride in August and were happy to see him too! Looked good to us!

On 11-14-11 Me and my BF rode from little Orleans to Paw Paw Tunnel and back to Little Orleans...We were lokking so forward to a beer and supper at Bill's Place but was not open at 5 pm and had a sign on the door that he would not be open till 6pm. Hungry and really wanting a beer after our ride we headed back to Cumberland to eat and have a few beers. We were so disappointed.

I do not recommend this place. The owner was not ready for us even though we had made reservations 2 weeks before. The place is very cluttered and the mattresses are awful - very old and thin. The bathroom we two couples shared was clean enough. For breakfast we got rotten bacon although the french toast and homemade bread were okay. Also, do NOT use the owner's shuttle service. He was supposed to pick up our car in Cumberland and drop it off at a B&B in Harper's Ferry (for a price, of course) but lost our car key!

We, ages 59 & 71 rode from DC to McKeesport end of May, 2011. Lots of wet areas on C&O due to flooding and a few bad days of storms which left many trees down on the C&O and a few on the GAP. We stayed at motels & B&Bs with one night in MD at a county-run conference center. All in all a great ride. The GAP Trail is especially well-maintained, partly I'm sure because the Potomac doesn't rise onto it. We can supply details of motels, etc. To answer question I've seen several times on this board re: tires, we rode on 700x37 Continental Travel Contacts and had no problem with them - no flats, they handled the muddy & washed out sections very well.

Thanks for your report. It is helpful. Approximately how many miles per day did you ride?

just got back to this forum. emili me if you would like further info on our trip

I'm curious, too...how many days? Planning a trip for next spring.

Let me start off by saying WOW. Sandy can cook! My girlfriend and I traveled out to Pennsylvania from Chicago to see Falling Water and decided to stay at this B&B. Best decision ever. It's a beautiful Victorian Era home that has been kept in great shape, inside and out. Sandy, the owner/caretaker made the stay even better with her delicious cooking.

The breakfasts were amazing (large omelettes with fresh produce, pumpkin french toast, homemade raspberry jam, biscuits...). We also spent the extra $30/plate for dinner the first night and it was well worth it. 4 course meal that consisted of cheese/fruit h'ordeuvres, salad with strawberries, bleu cheese and nuts, 16oz steak cooked to perfection, and a choice of four different kinds of homemade cheesecake or pumpkin pie. If I would have bought this in Chicago it would have easily been twice the cost. Well worth it! Plus Sandy doesn't skimp on anything, nor does she serve generic, frozen, or highly processed foods. She is a chef that takes pride in her cooking and serves only fresh homemade dishes. Plus she accommodates food allergies, diabetics, vegetarians, and vegans.

Besides the food, there is also a wine shop out back, which Sandy was also responsible for adding. She operates this satellite wine shop for a local winery, and also sells many other local goods such as honey, salsa, glass artwork, candles etc.

This B&B is a one stop shop for everything in the area. You get a place to stay, delicious food, wine, and all sorts of local goodies. If you are visiting Falling Water, Kentuck Knob, or passing through the Great Allegheny Trail, definitely check in at the Confluence house!

I passed through in July, I appreaciate the support for the trail from the community. I met a few of the local trail workers and thanked them. Thanks to all for their work .

Great place for lunch!

I ate there after my thru hike of the C+O in April of this year. While I thought the food was good, it wasn't anything special.

We showed up covered with mud after being on the trail all day. There was a hose outside where we washed our bikes and everything else off before we even went inside to check in. Very bike friendly, as they told us we were welcome to keep our bikes in our rooms. (which we did only after they were totally clean and dry). Great bar, great restaurant, a fun bike ride across the bridge from the trail.

Fun place to stay, right on the trail. Good bike shop with GAP bike shirts!

Given the recent rain fall, anyone know if a bike trip between these points would be worthwhile or too wet?

I hiked the entire C&O in June. Though it was a great experience, I never came across another through hiker over 15 days..

I too did a thru hike of the C+O in the spring of 2011, from the end of March into the beginning of April. I hiked westbound and there was one other going the same direction as part of the American Discovery Trail. In my opinion the C+O would be the perfect place for a person to do their first backpacking trip.

Hi, im planning on riding from Cumberland to DC. I Live in Boulder CO, so im not sure of the rainfall there this time of year. Any suggestions at all? will i get a sunny day?

I googled "October weather" for DC, Cumberland, & Pittsburgh and have the average temps & precipitation. I hope this helps.v

I am planning a run Saturday morning. Does anyone know the condition of the towpath in the area around Great Falls?

It's open. Sorry, too late for your Saturday run, but for the benefit of anybody else out there who might still be wondering.... The towpath managed to dodge the heavy rains, and is open.

This Thursday morning, September 8, NPS reports that predicted levels of flooding in the canal park have been reduced. The park is therefore cancelling the call for volunteers to help sandbag Lockhouse 6 or to empty Great Falls Tavern.

Great Falls Overlook remains closed at this time but will reopen by tomorrow. Canal boat operations will resume on Saturday, September 10, but the Billy Goat A Trail at Great Falls will remain closed through the weekend.

I'm trying to schedule a final day's ride to finish a Relay for Life fundraiser. Possibly for next week. (Final day was interrupted by Irene.) What's the trail condition - Brunswick to DC? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

C and O Canal Association sent out this warning yesterday (Sep 6):
Major Flooding Forecasted, Expect Closures throughout the Week

With high levels of rainfall forecasted through this week, the C&O Canal National Historical Park is bracing for major flooding. Visitors should expect the towpath, Visitor Centers, and all lockhouses to be closed, effective immediately.

The flood is expected to be more devastating than the flood of 2010. Please respect all closures and use extreme caution as the river's waters can rise quickly.

Volunteers Needed for Sandbagging
Call the Trust TODAY to help!

In preparation for the flood, the C&O Canal Trust will be sandbagging around Lockhouse 6 this Thursday, September 8, at 1:00 PM, to prevent damage to the park's resources.
Call the Trust at 301-714-2233 for assignment details

I'm considering hiking the GAP either this fall or next spring after having hiked the C+O this past spring. I'm hoping to camp along the trail and resupply in the towns along the way.
Can anyone offer any advice from having already done this themselves?

I'll be biking the C&O this coming weekend. How is the condition?

We are going too but worry parts of the trail may be closed. Anyone know the trail status?

There is a 5 mile detour near McConnells Mill. It is well marked