C&O / GAP Forum

The six mile loop that follows the GAP from Boston to The 15th St Bridge in Liberty Borough, then along the other side of Yough back to Boston is a favorite local ride for us. A 1.5 mile stretch along the McKeesport side has been paved with new asphalt in the last week or so. Very nice job and less bone rattling. Check out Puzzlers bar and grill for lunch or dinner right off the trail with bike parking.

That’s great news. I’ve been avoiding that side until it was repaired.

I rode the McKeesport Loop today and the newly repaved section is quite nice. The paving work was well done and quite smooth until it reaches the unaffected part of the loop which is the original pavement and a little rough in spots.

FYI Lodging in Hancock, MD

Super 8 Motel just up the street from the Pizza Hut. North End Liquor store is just north on Limestone Road.

Hancock Motel across US 522 from the Potomac River Gill.

1828 Trail Inn B&B on Main Street very close to Buddy Lou's Restaurant.

C&O Bicycle Bunkhouse in back of shop on Berm/Canal Street.

Thanks John. It was good to get a local, accurate update of the services in Hancock and Little Orleans as the new biking season begins. Personally I'll miss Weavers. It went downhill fast after the original owners got out of the business.

Is Dave's daughter now operating the Town Hill Inn? I enjoyed my stay there whea few years ago when Dave still owned and ran the Inn.

I have no idea, but I'll swing by Town Hill and ask when I'm out near Bellegrove.

I left voice and email messages for 1828 Trail Inn B&B but they never returned them. However, I continued to call and finally spoke to someone. Therefore, I can confirm that their number (301-678-7227) is active. They must be very busy or not very responsive. I just also received an email from them about an hour after talking to them, so their email (info@1828-trail-inn.com) also works.

This hotel is clean and the staff is extremely friendly and accommodating. Be advised, this is not in Brunswick and is somewhat isolated. There is a 24/7 dinner as part of the hotel.
Also, 0.7 miles is up extremely steep hills. If your exhausted, this is not pleasant. At the end of the day, it's perfect to relax once there

Is there a shuttle service which would allow me to get from Cumberland to Pittsburgh? Planning on a late October trip, driving to Cumberland and shuttling to Pittsburgh then ride back to Cumberland. I've thought about Amtrak but I don't feel good about their bike service and no warm fuzzy feelings about getting into downtown Pittsburgh at midnight. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

See the Gaptrail.org website for some shuttle operator service options to Pittsburgh.

Aside from simply getting a bike reservation itself, I have found the Amtrak bike services satisfactory but arriving downtown at midnight isn’t ideal depending on your plans upon arriving.

We took a rental car one way from PGH to Cumberland. At the time it was cheaper than a shuttle would have been. Worth checking on in your direction as well.

The information below is taken from the NPS C&O website.


Well Water Conditions

Starting in spring 2023, the well water in hiker-biker campsites will be signed non-potable. Water from wells at paid campgrounds will remain potable and safe for drinking, cooking, or washing.

The park works to ensure that there is a more reliable water source year-round for visitors in the park and that the drinking water that is provided is as safe as it can possibly be, especially considering that our wells are in a flood zone. The park will maintain potable water in a targeted number of wells in fee campgrounds. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection. Well handles will be removed from fee campgrounds in mid-November to protect against freeze as per normal operating procedures.
For hiker-biker campgrounds, the wells will be signed as non-potable and we ask that visitors bring their own water supply or water sanitizing equipment to treat well water before use. The wells will remain in operation in hiker-biker campgrounds year-round. As long as visitors bring their own sanitization equipment, there will be a more reliable water source as handles will not be removed from these wells.

Drive-In Campgrounds: Well water within the drive-in campgrounds is potable and treated with iodine - do NOT drink if you have any iodine allergies or if you are on medication for an overactive thyroid. In general, well water is clean and able to be used without additional treatment. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection.

Hiker-Biker Campsites: Non-potable water is available in hiker-biker campsites. Please plan to filter, chemically treat, or boil the water before use for your own protection. The wells will remain in the hiker-biker campsites and, as long as visitors bring their own sanitization equipment, there will be a more reliable water source as handles will not be removed from these wells.

Visitor Centers, park buildings, and comfort stations are provided water by the nearby municipality and do not require drinking water sampling by the park. Please note that the Swains Lock campsite draws on the same municipal water as the Swains Lockhouse and will remain potable. 

Water availability is subject to change. Always bring plenty of water with you as a backup option. Please plan your trip accordingly.

Wow, big changes for 2023 on the C&O! I loved having the wells as an extra safety precaution in case I ran low on the water I was carrying. Won’t lie, on hot days, or where I pushed too hard, the water from these wells saved my bacon on a few occasions. They also provided water to stick your head under and cool down. Not sure if I’ll do that with non-potable but who knows.

I will be extra vigilant on future trips to bring extra water with me even if it means more weight. Can’t take chances in some of the more remote parts especially. Of course I could bring my Jet Boil which has been a great piece of equipment to have.

John

The bridge deck replacement project for the Pinkerton Harnedsville bridges has now been completed and the trail reopened across them.

The bridge deck replacement project for the Pinkerton Harnedsville bridges has now been completed and the trail reopened across them.

How wide is the trail through the Pawpaw Tunnel? Can a loaded recumbent trike, about 36 inches, get through?

According to design documents from the Maryland Historical Trust, the towpath through the tunnel is 4 feet wide with its wood railing. From personal experience, walking a trike with racks and bags will make it through the tunnel. However, walking beside it while pushing it through could be a little awkward in spots. Riding rather than walking through isn’t a viable option. Further, you’ll likely need to wait until any oncoming travelers have exited before you enter.

Agree, walk any bike. It’s dark, narrow, and the surface is uneven and bumpy.

If you have a light or a head lamp, that will be useful to help you see what you are walking on

If you encounter an oncoming cyclist walking their bikes, one of you will have to just stop and let the other pass through as it’s a bit tight in there. Small chance it could happen but be prepared.

Thanks for the information.

I vested the tunnel twice last year, Summer and Fall, it was under construction. Walked to the end but the other end was closed. Does anyone actually ride/walk through the tunnel in 2023?
Thank you.

The National Park Service’s website that announced the Towpath closure at the downriver end of the Paw Paw Tunnel some time ago continues to state that construction will extend through winter of 2022/23. Thus, hopefully we’ll be able to pass through the tunnel and beyond after that time without having to take the detour up and over. We’ll see.

Thank you.
The detour, up and over, is steep and narrow.

Riding 2 trikes from Cumberland to DC after Memorial Day 2023. Instead of the steep detour up and over, impossible with a trike, I see paved roads west out of Paw Paw like Tunnel Hill road that seem to be a way to detour around the Paw Paw tunnel and appears to cross the C&O in a few miles past the detour. Has anyone done this route on the road?

I’m not sure I understand the alternate route on Tunnel Hill Road that you are considering but the following is a related post from some time ago that discussed using Tunnel Hill Road.


Rick from Florida on 09/21/2021 07:15 AM:
I just rode the Paw Paw Bypass option (Sulphur Springs Rd, to Oldtown to Malcolm Rd to Tunnel Hill Rd) on Sunday the 19th. This connects with the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail at the top of Tunnel Hill. You then have to take the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail down to the C&O path. The option of going on these roads works well going from Cumberland to Little Orleans, however if you are going from Little Orleans to Cumberland you have no option to pushing your bike up the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail. If you are going this direction you are probably better off staying on the Bypass trail to get back to the C&O. Just an FYI there are a couple if steeper sections on Sulpher Springs Rd and Tunnel Hill Road. They are ridable though. These are also public roads with no shoulder, so beware of traffic, especially on Oldtown Rd.

I’m not sure I understand the alternate route on Tunnel Hill Road that you are considering but the following is a related post from some time ago that discussed using Tunnel Hill Road.


Rick from Florida on 09/21/2021 07:15 AM:
I just rode the Paw Paw Bypass option (Sulphur Springs Rd, to Oldtown to Malcolm Rd to Tunnel Hill Rd) on Sunday the 19th. This connects with the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail at the top of Tunnel Hill. You then have to take the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail down to the C&O path. The option of going on these roads works well going from Cumberland to Little Orleans, however if you are going from Little Orleans to Cumberland you have no option to pushing your bike up the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail. If you are going this direction you are probably better off staying on the Bypass trail to get back to the C&O. Just an FYI there are a couple if steeper sections on Sulpher Springs Rd and Tunnel Hill Road. They are ridable though. These are also public roads with no shoulder, so beware of traffic, especially on Oldtown Rd.

Does any knows that the tunnel is still closed? I am going to ride from Cumberland to DC starting on 7 May 2023.

The NPS C&O website today still shows the exit trail from the tunnel is still closed.

Cyclist take WARNING! There appears to be a serious homeless problem around Mile Zero. My Niece just finished cycling the towpath last Monday. She was accosted by a homeless person who threatened her. Fortunately, she was able to get away uninjured. There was no visible National Park or Metro DC Police presence in the area. If any other cyclist encounters the same around Mile Zero, please add your comments to this thread. It's sad that things have deteriorated to this level. There was once a time when you could hike/cycle the towpath in relative safety without fear of bodily harm, especially in Georgetown of all places!

The NPS C&O website shows all H/B site well pumps beyond MM 25 as being “on”.

The NPS C&O website shows all H/B site well pumps beyond MM 25 as being “on”.

The GAP trail website has announced another imminent closure of a portion of the GAP Trail as described below

“Somerset County will deploy contractors to completely redeck the Pinkerton Low and High Bridges and the Harnedsville Bridge as soon as all required permits are submitted, beginning as early as November 1, 2022. This $2.4 million project will require closing the Great Allegheny Passage to all travelers between the parking areas at Markleton (mile marker 50) and Harnedsville (mile marker 59) for approximately two months, depending on the severity of winter weather.

This major rehabilitation project will include removing the entire wooden decking systems of all three bridges, including the aging railroad ties once installed by the Western Maryland Railway, since the decking and ties are nearing the end of their useful lives. Contractors will install new concrete slabs which will last generations. Currently, Somerset County is waiting for final permit approvals, which could arrive at any time, and then contractors will get started. We are hopeful that the project can be completed over the winter so that this nine-mile section can reopen as soon as possible in the spring of 2023.

Please note that this section of the GAP will be completely closed to all travelers. The project area will be extremely dangerous; there will be no deck system on these bridges, each of which traverse the Casselman River, and they will be completely impassable. Additionally, there will be a steady stream of construction vehicles and heavy equipment running on this section of the trail. There will be no posted detour; please enjoy other sections of the GAP.”

Note that the Mt. Savage Tunnel will be closing around early December as well although an exact date has not been announced to my knowledge.

The GAP website now reports that the Mt. Savage tunnel will close for the winter on December 1.

Ooooo, that's bad news regarding the Pinkerton bridges. Any kind of ridearound looks...intense.

Pinkerton, Harnedsville Bridges to be Redecked; Nine-Mile Closure

An update on this closure has been posted today on the GAP website. It appears that the update is now a projected contractor's completion of this work for the end of March.

If you are planning an early season trip through this section, you should monitor the GAP website for further updates since there is no detour around this work.

A reminder of this closure was posted today on the GAP website. Riders beware.

The GAP website posted an update to the subject alert today. The salient portion of the update would appear to be the following sentences therein.

“Crews are currently awaiting a final delivery of materials and must resurface sections of the GAP that have been rutted with vehicular traffic. They are now aiming for early or mid-April depending on weather.”

This update provides a new estimate for completion of the work and reopening of the trail. Note that often such resurfacing of the trail results in a softer surface early on especially after rains until the trail is more compacted by use. Time will tell.

I have a group ride scheduled to go through this area of the GAP on Friday, May 5th. Any updates on if it is open yet? Has anyone ridden on rt 281 from Confluence to Markleton as a detour?

As of this moment, the GAP website still indicates it is closed. I have not ridden the detour you are considering.

Riders beware. Once again today the GAP Trail website reiterated the closures without detours that remain on trail approaching Ohiopyle and the Pinkerton Tunnel from Pittsburgh. I have seen and spoken with several through riders recently that were not aware of these closures nor had any plans to avoid them.

Travelers should monitor the GAP website to avoid the inconveniences these closures present and when they will be cleared.

I used wilderness voyageurs on April 14 for a shuttle from Ohiopyle to Markleton and that worked out really well

I used wilderness voyageurs on April 14 for a shuttle from Ohiopyle to Markleton and that worked out really well

Apparently you were able to get thru the reported closure approaching Ohiopyle from Pgh. What did you encounter there and was it an issue getting thru?

Ignore my previous question as I see the closure is beyond Ohiopyle toward Confluence. Glad you found a way around the closures.

Coincidentally, later today, the GAP website reports that the closure in Ohiopyle State Park at GAP milepost 69 has been cleared and is now open to riders.

Is the River House still open? I am not finding much about it on the web.

Thanks

Do you mean Sinclair Hamilton's place in Hancock? I live in Little Orleans and the only lodging available now since Steve Hubner's place closed in 2021 is the Town Hill B&B up on old Route 40. I think River House is closed. Sorry.

Just a friendly update about services available in Hancock and Little Orleans, MD as of April 2023.

The Park-n-Dine and Weaver's Restaurants are CLOSED! Victims of the COVID lockdown.

Buddy Lou's is thriving but closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The WMRT literally goes right by their parking lot!

Little Sandy's Truckstop is gone, but there's a new facility now with a Burger King and an IHOP! Easy access from the towpath and WMRT from Lock 52/Hancock Visitors Center.

There's a Hardees Restaurant just across the street from Mr. Hardware with easy access from the WMRT.

The Exxon/AC&T service station/convenance store has a fantastic deli that serves some of the best fried chicken on the trail. Very easy access from the WMRT.

The Pizza Hut and the Subway sandwich shop across from Sheetz are still open. Pizza Hut still has the pizza/pasta buffet Monday through Fridays from 11am to 1pm.

There's a Sheetz across the street from the Subway shop with a full line of snacks and a Deli.

There is a Shop-n-Save grocery store along with a Dollar General,
Pittman's liquor store and a laundromat in the strip mall next to the Pizza Hut.

The Potomac River Grill has easy access off the WMRT directly into their parking lot. Really good food but the service can be very, very slow at times.

The Town Tavern is CLOSED.

The Tri-Angle Tavern and Restaurant is open. Very easy access from the WMRT via the Park-n-Ride lot adjacent to the old Park-n-Dine restaurant.

Also the American Legion restaurant/lounge is open to the public and they serve very good food there. Easy access from the WMRT from the Park-n-Ride parking lot.

C&O Bicycle is still open but Jonathan Barker, their ace cycle mechanic, has joined the Marine Corps so it's anyone's guess about the quality of service you can expect from there now. FYI, Dennis Hudson sold the shop to the Barnhart family back in 2015. The Bunkhouse is still open in the back if you need a cheap place to stay overnight.

There is a Food Lion grocery store and a Family Dollar .9 miles north on Pennsylvania Avenue just past the Antique Mall and Post Office.

Crazy Ray's BBQ is located within the Antique Mall on Pennsylvania Avenue and is worth a stop for lunch.

There are three liquor stores located in within the town of Hancock.

Little Orleans Campground is now Ridge Runner Campground. The store and shower facilities are still available.

Bill's Place in Little Orleans is still open for business but is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays. They do not serve breakfast! FYI Jack Schoenadel wants to retire and has the place FOR SALE!

Town Hill B&B is the only lodging now available at MP144 since Steve Hubner's Little Orleans Lodge closed it's doors back in 2021. Town Hill will shuttle from Bill's Place if you call (301) 478-2794.

National airport raised their long term parking rates from $9 a day to $19 a day so its no longer a viable option. If you prepay and pre reserve a spot the price will go down a little. when you search airport parking finder, there are hotels that will let you park for around $10 a day.

I just ran across an alert at the NPS’s C&O Towpath website that the repairs are complete and the towpath reopened at McMahons Mill between MP’s 88 and 89. Hence it is no longer necessary to take the long-standing detour there. This alert was apparently issued a couple of weeks ago.

Now if they could only finish the work at the Paw Paw Tunnel exit and reopen the Towpath there!

I'm considering parking my vehicle at the Georgetown end of the trail, taking the train back to Pittsburgh, then riding to DC. I like to have the shuttle at the beginning of the trip.
Do you have any recommendations on parking near Georgetown?

This question has been asked a few times on this forum and I’ve not seen a response as to where you would find free parking in DC. In the past some have suggested parking at Reagan National Airport might be your best option. You can easily ride your bike from Georgetown to Reagan Airport. The economy lot there charges $19 per day and a reservation is recommended.

Hopefully, a reader living in DC can give you a better/cheaper response.

This question has been asked a few times on this forum and I’ve not seen a response as to where you would find free parking in DC. In the past some have suggested parking at Reagan National Airport might be your best option. You can easily ride your bike from Georgetown to Reagan Airport. The economy lot there charges $19 per day and a reservation is recommended.

Hopefully, a reader living in DC can give you a better/cheaper response.

As a DC area resident I concur with Rivnuts.

"Economy" parking at Reagan National is most likely your least expensive yet secure parking.

Free longterm parking in Georgetown DC? To quote Tony Soprano "fuggetaboutit".

When I did the C&O in 2019 I parked at the parking garage at 1690 N Kent St in Arlington, its just on the other side of the Key Bridge. Since I went to the actual milepost 0, it required backtracking through Georgetown a little but its much closer than Reagan Airport. price is $16 per day.

check out the app "Spot Hero" it will let you pre book parking, usually at a discount rate, and makes all the parking garages searchable.

In Arlington there are lots of areas where you can park on the street. However, you need to know where these areas are.
This map should help to see where the parking zone is located.
Link to maps spring 2023:
https://arlgis.arlingtonva.us/web_files/Maps/Standard_Maps/Parking_Zones.pdf
Use google street view maps is also helpful.
Around Wilson blvd. and Clarendon Blvd. there is only paid street parking, so no luck here.
So go a little further out in the neighborhood and park in the local street. About 10-15 minutes bicycle ride to Key bridge. Respect the normal parking law. Don't block people driveway, find another space if it’s too close. Best way to piss off people and get them to reporting your vehicle for been abandon. Make sure your car doesn’t look abandoned in the first place. We are used to seeing many non VA plates, so no worry.
If you park in North Arlington, you can use Curtis trail to get to DC.
Hope this is helpful.

Is the Visitor's Center open the same hours as the park? Open at 8 am daily?

As you have probably found by now, the park’s website indicates that the visitor center is open from 9:00 to 5:00 daily. I must comment however that of those few times that I left the trail to ride up into the park, I have yet to find the visitor center open. Admittedly, that is a rather small sample size, but that has been my experience over the last few years.

You can always call ahead of time to make sure if it is far out of your way. The fort itself has always been open and is worth a few minutes to see.

BE ADVISED: As of 3/25/23, the link for Williamsport Red Roof Inn that you will find on the Williamsport page of BikeC&O.com takes you to the Red Roof Inn in Williamsport, PENNSYLVANIA !, not the location in MD.
Check to be sure the link has been corrected before you reserve. Don't make a reservation there and expect to have a room when you finish your day on the canal.

The following GAP closure update was announced in the GAP website yesterday with an estimated trail reopening date of April 28.

"Contractors deployed by Ohiopyle State Park closed the Great Allegheny Passage between mile markers 68 and 69, which lies between Ohiopyle and Confluence, on February 13.

This closure is required in order for cranes to remove and replace an aging culvert that carries water under the GAP to the Youghiogheny River. The project area is extremely dangerous and entirely impassable. Additionally, there is a steady stream of construction vehicles and heavy equipment running near this section of the GAP.

Please note that this section of the GAP is completely closed to all travelers. There is no detour available because of the narrow and steep conditions in this remote location. Work is expected to be completed, and the GAP reopened in this area, by April 28; weather-permitting, it will reopen sooner. Look for updates on this page, and during this project, please enjoy other sections of the GAP.

This is the last of five similar projects inside the park since 2022, and the only one that requires crews to close the GAP to all travelers. These improvements will help Ohiopyle State Park avoid catastrophic failure of these culverts and much lengthier, unplanned closures.

Thru-travelers may wish to consult an outfitter regarding shuttle-for-hire services to transport you between Ohiopyle and Confluence. Examples include the following: Bill’s Car Service, WheelzUp Adventures, Maple Leaf Outfitters, Wilderness Voyageurs, or Yoder’s Guest House."

This complete closure without detour was reiterated today in the GAP website. I speculate that this alert was reissued because some approaching tourists were unaware of it and/or upset given the lack of a detour.

I've recently encountered a number of riders leaving Pittsburgh in route to Cumberland or DC that are unaware of the various closures along the GAP at this time including the Big Savage Tunnel which will not open until 3/28.

My last reply mistakenly stated that the Big Savage Tunnel would be reopened on 3/28 rather than the correct date of 3/31.