C&O / GAP Forum

I'm a bit confused here... if I understand correctly, it is wise to take the WMT rather than staying on the C&O. Looking at the map it appears that there aren't very many places to get to and from the C&O once you have made the WMT commitment. I'm looking at an overnight at Little Pool and see that I should be able to get back to the C&O in Hancock, but I'd have to back-track to get back to the WMT in the AM. It just doesn't appear that there are any places to re-connect between the two trails. Am I correct here? [I'll add to this question that I'm assuming that there are not places along the WMT to camp. Is that correct?]

Hello
There are connectors between the C&O canal and the Western Maryland Rail Trail approximately every 3 or 4 miles over the 27 mile length of the WMRT.

There are no camping sites along the WMRT proper, but combined with the existing connectors between the C&O and the WMRT one can get off one trail to get to the other without riding back to Hancock from Little Pool.

The Department of Natural Resources of the State of Maryland has a nice map of the relationship between the C&O canal and the WMRT on their website.

https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/wmrt.aspx

WNYBubba: You can connect to the WMRT at Little Orleans on High Germany Rd. Either go up the road till you reach the trail or go under the little tunnel and turn left up to the WMRT parking lot right before Bills Place and connect there. You can see from this map here:
https://www.westernmarylandrailtrail.com/map-extension

Also, you can switch between trails at Pearre, Little Pool, Mile Marker Lane, and a few of the dams. The last one, Ernstville Rd., is your last chance to connect to the C&O. After you pass MM 1, be on the lookout for Ernstville Rd. It will be there in about two tenths of a mile after. Turn right and go 100 yards and go on to the dirt path that takes you to C&O. If you reach Mile 0 of the WMRT you’ve gone too far. The interchange is about at MM 0.8.

All free hiker/biker sites are on the C&O, not on the WMRT but you’re always close to an interchange to a campsite.

And there are interchanges at Hancock of course!

Great info -- thanks. Leaving tomorrow for Homestead and heading east to DC. Luckily I have a friend in Arlington that I'll be able to stay with once in DC -- hopefully get there on Thursday. Train out on Monday. -bubba

As I live in Homestead, I'm sorry I can't welcome you to Pittsburgh and ride a few miles out of town. I'm leaving to ride in Ohio tomorrow morning. Have a great ride. The weather looks good for the next few days.

Are there trees here to hang a hammock?

Yes. Google “Round Bottom Campground” and select/view Images.

Does this campsite has POTABLE water?

While there is a well with a pump, there is a sign there denoting it as non-potable. That sign was added a few years ago. There is potable water on either side of Round Bottom in Whitsett and Connellsville.

Wife and I are planning to bike into DC. Can anyone tell me the street address near mile zero?

Thanks.

It is behind/aside the Thompson Boat Center whose address is:

2900 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Hi, does anyone know if it is permitted to park at the trail stop parking lots in the DC area for an extended period of time?

We would appreciate any comments/updates on the condition of any/all portions of the 185 mile C&O bike path from Georgetown to Cumberland. In other words, which portions are paved, hard packed, loose gravel, other? Thank you, Jim

Other than the 24 miles of the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) that parallels the C&O and the couple of miles of the repaired trail around Big Slackwater the balance of the C&O Towpath is crushed stone, fine gravel and hard packed earth. Of the unpaved length, there is a 40+ mile section from Shepherdstown to Edwards Ferry that has been improved with new, smooth, free draining crushed gravel in recent years. This is a good riding surface under most conditions.

If you leave the C&O and take the Capital Crescent Trail from Fletchers Boathouse on into Georgetown DC that is another 3-miles of pavement.

The 44-mile section between Cumberland and Little Orleans is generally hard packed earth (when dry) or puddles and mud (when wet).

We are looking for parking in the DC area while we ride from Pittsburgh. Are we permitted to park at the trail stop parking lot for an extended period of time? If so, is there a fee at these lots?

My friend and I biked the GAP Trail and stopped in Connellsville and had an amazing dinner at Ruvo's Italian Restaurant. The restaurant serves family style and we shared the chicken parm. More than enough food for the both of us. We also had such an amazing waitress, Mia and chef and owner, Anthony. Would recommend this to anyone stopping in the area!

Are the water pumps at all of the hiker biker campsites operable and safe to drink right now? Planning on riding the C&O later this week and want to make sure I’m planning appropriately.

Hi BigEv, I rode the C&O 7/1 to 7/5 and MOST of the pumps are operable, and are posted as safe drinking water. There were a couple along the way that vigorous movement of the handle produced no water.

The list below is taken from the National Park Service C&O website. I can’t vouch for the currency/accuracy of this list at this time but, perhaps, it will allow others to be specific about their current observations.

Remote Water Faucet List

On Fletcher's Cove (MM 3.21)
On Lock 5 (MM 5)
On Lock 10 (MM 8.8)
On Carderock Recreation Area (MM 10.5)
Off Marsden Tract (MM 11.5)
On Anglers Access (MM 12.2)
On Great Falls Tavern Restrooms (MM 14.3)
Off Swains Lockhouse (MM 16.64)
Off Swains Campground (MM 16.7)
On Seneca Creek/Rileys (MM 22)
On Horsepen Branch Campsite (MM 26)
On Chisel Branch Campsite (MM 30.5)
On Turtle Run Campsite (MM 34.4)
On Marble Quarrry Campsite (MM 38.2)
On Indian Flats (MM 42.4)
On Calico Rocks Campsite (MM 47.7)
On Bald Eagle Island Campsite (MM 50.3)
Off Lock 34 (MM 61.5)
On Huckleberry Hill Campsite (MM 62.9)
On Antietam Creek Campground (MM 69.6)
On Killiansburg Cave Campsite (MM 75.4)
On Horseshoe Bend Campsite (MM 79.7)
On Big Woods Campsite (MM 82.4)
On Opequon Junction Campsite (MM 90.8)
On Cumberland Valley Campsite (MM 95.2)
On Cushwa Basin Restrooms (MM 99.7)
On Jordan Junction Campsite (MM 101.2)
On Four Locks Picnic Area (MM 108.9)
On North Mountain Campsite (MM 109.2)
On McCoys Ferry (MM 110)
On Licking Creek Campsite (MM 116)
On Little Pool Campsite (MM 120.7)
On White Rock Campsite (MM 126.5)
Off Leopards Mill (MM 129.9)
Off Cacapon Junction (MM 133.6)
On Indigo Neck (MM 139)
Off Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (MM 140.9)
On Devils Alley (MM 144.5)
On Stickpile Hill Campsite (MM 149.3)
Off Sorrel Ridge Campsite (MM 154.1)
Off Arbaugh (MM 155)
Off Paw Paw (MM 156)
On Purslane Run Campsite (MM 157.4)
On Town Creek (MM 162)
On Potomac Forks (MM 165)
On Pigmans Ferry (MM 169)
On Spring Gap (MM 173)
Off Irons Mountain Campsite (MM 175.4)
Off Evitts Creek Campsite (MM 180)
On Cumberland Visitor Center (MM 184.5)

Awesome! Thank you for this info.

The list below is taken from the National Park Service C&O website. I can’t vouch for the currency/accuracy of this list at this time but, perhaps, it will allow others to be specific about their current observations.

Remote Water Faucet List

On Fletcher's Cove (MM 3.21)
On Lock 5 (MM 5)
On Lock 10 (MM 8.8)
On Carderock Recreation Area (MM 10.5)
Off Marsden Tract (MM 11.5)
On Anglers Access (MM 12.2)
On Great Falls Tavern Restrooms (MM 14.3)
Off Swains Lockhouse (MM 16.64)
Off Swains Campground (MM 16.7)
On Seneca Creek/Rileys (MM 22)
On Horsepen Branch Campsite (MM 26)
On Chisel Branch Campsite (MM 30.5)
On Turtle Run Campsite (MM 34.4)
On Marble Quarrry Campsite (MM 38.2)
On Indian Flats (MM 42.4)
On Calico Rocks Campsite (MM 47.7)
On Bald Eagle Island Campsite (MM 50.3)
Off Lock 34 (MM 61.5)
On Huckleberry Hill Campsite (MM 62.9)
On Antietam Creek Campground (MM 69.6)
On Killiansburg Cave Campsite (MM 75.4)
On Horseshoe Bend Campsite (MM 79.7)
On Big Woods Campsite (MM 82.4)
On Opequon Junction Campsite (MM 90.8)
On Cumberland Valley Campsite (MM 95.2)
On Cushwa Basin Restrooms (MM 99.7)
On Jordan Junction Campsite (MM 101.2)
On Four Locks Picnic Area (MM 108.9)
On North Mountain Campsite (MM 109.2)
On McCoys Ferry (MM 110)
On Licking Creek Campsite (MM 116)
On Little Pool Campsite (MM 120.7)
On White Rock Campsite (MM 126.5)
Off Leopards Mill (MM 129.9)
Off Cacapon Junction (MM 133.6)
On Indigo Neck (MM 139)
Off Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (MM 140.9)
On Devils Alley (MM 144.5)
On Stickpile Hill Campsite (MM 149.3)
Off Sorrel Ridge Campsite (MM 154.1)
Off Arbaugh (MM 155)
Off Paw Paw (MM 156)
On Purslane Run Campsite (MM 157.4)
On Town Creek (MM 162)
On Potomac Forks (MM 165)
On Pigmans Ferry (MM 169)
On Spring Gap (MM 173)
Off Irons Mountain Campsite (MM 175.4)
Off Evitts Creek Campsite (MM 180)
On Cumberland Visitor Center (MM 184.5)

The list below is taken from the National Park Service C&O website. I can’t vouch for the currency/accuracy of this list at this time but, perhaps, it will allow others to be specific about their current observations.

Remote Water Faucet List

On Fletcher's Cove (MM 3.21)
On Lock 5 (MM 5)
On Lock 10 (MM 8.8)
On Carderock Recreation Area (MM 10.5)
Off Marsden Tract (MM 11.5)
On Anglers Access (MM 12.2)
On Great Falls Tavern Restrooms (MM 14.3)
Off Swains Lockhouse (MM 16.64)
Off Swains Campground (MM 16.7)
On Seneca Creek/Rileys (MM 22)
On Horsepen Branch Campsite (MM 26)
On Chisel Branch Campsite (MM 30.5)
On Turtle Run Campsite (MM 34.4)
On Marble Quarrry Campsite (MM 38.2)
On Indian Flats (MM 42.4)
On Calico Rocks Campsite (MM 47.7)
On Bald Eagle Island Campsite (MM 50.3)
Off Lock 34 (MM 61.5)
On Huckleberry Hill Campsite (MM 62.9)
On Antietam Creek Campground (MM 69.6)
On Killiansburg Cave Campsite (MM 75.4)
On Horseshoe Bend Campsite (MM 79.7)
On Big Woods Campsite (MM 82.4)
On Opequon Junction Campsite (MM 90.8)
On Cumberland Valley Campsite (MM 95.2)
On Cushwa Basin Restrooms (MM 99.7)
On Jordan Junction Campsite (MM 101.2)
On Four Locks Picnic Area (MM 108.9)
On North Mountain Campsite (MM 109.2)
On McCoys Ferry (MM 110)
On Licking Creek Campsite (MM 116)
On Little Pool Campsite (MM 120.7)
On White Rock Campsite (MM 126.5)
Off Leopards Mill (MM 129.9)
Off Cacapon Junction (MM 133.6)
On Indigo Neck (MM 139)
Off Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (MM 140.9)
On Devils Alley (MM 144.5)
On Stickpile Hill Campsite (MM 149.3)
Off Sorrel Ridge Campsite (MM 154.1)
Off Arbaugh (MM 155)
Off Paw Paw (MM 156)
On Purslane Run Campsite (MM 157.4)
On Town Creek (MM 162)
On Potomac Forks (MM 165)
On Pigmans Ferry (MM 169)
On Spring Gap (MM 173)
Off Irons Mountain Campsite (MM 175.4)
Off Evitts Creek Campsite (MM 180)
On Cumberland Visitor Center (MM 184.5)

Looking for not the cheapest. Must have a bed that doesn't sag and be a place that is very clean. Thank you for recommendations for West Newton, Ohiopyle, and Meyersdale.

I can recommend Yoder’s Guesthouse in Meyersdale. I have stayed there.

We had good beds in Ohiopyle. My notes say we stayed at "Laurel Highlands Guest House Fern Cliff Room 1"

We stayed at Bright Morning B and B in West Newton and were very pleased.
In Meyersdale, the Morguen Toole Company was very interesting and adequate. Very unique place if you like interesting.

didn't stay in Ohiopyle. we rolled through on a weekend and it was crowded and appeared pretty touristy (but very pretty) we were glad we hadn't planned to stay there.

We have stayed at the Morguen Toole Company in Myersdale twice and really liked it. Great room, great food (cant tell if their restaurant is open) and indoor parking for bikes. If you stay there you have to go to the GI Dayroom for breakfast great food! Ohiopyle we stayed at the state park. There is a trail from the GAP that takes you there but is unrideable going up and you need to be pretty good/determined to ride it down. Great showers there and nice campground, I didnt think it was worth the long steep walk up after a 75 mile day. Myersdale is a great location because you have a few miles to ride before the awesome down hill into Cumberland.

I camped at the state park in Ohiopyle about this time last summer, and I recommend against it. In addition to the steep walk up to the park, the campground was very noisy (party types) late into the night (past midnight). I spoke to a park ranger about the noise and received what I'd politely describe as a "brush off".

The hiker-biker campsites along the GAP and C&O are great, and my experiences with the private campgrounds are also very positive. But Ohiopyle S.P. is permanently off my list.

Travel safely and enjoy the trail.

new to C and O

Welcome

Hi All - I'll be riding the GAP/C&O for the first time coming up in a week's time or so. The ride from Cumberland to Hancock is 60 miles and I will need lunch around midpoint, which looks like Paw Paw. Is the jaunt into town in WV, to Amanda's Place, not overly time consuming, or should I pack a lunch when leaving Cumberland? This will be a long day in the saddle!

It is, say, about a 10-minute ride across the river to Paw Paw. You can get a sandwich and snacks at the deli in the gas station.

Thanks for that information Rob, your are appreciated!

Note that Amanda’s is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Liberty gas station right next door has a snack bar that will make burgers, hot dogs, etc. on top of typical convenience store fare. Easy ride into town, maybe 80% of it on a new path they built off the C&O. The road part has decent shoulders.

Ok then, Paw Paw is on the itinerary for lunch as it will be July 1st, a Thursday, when I hit that area. Whether it's Amanda's or Liberty's, I'm sure there'll be something good for refueling. Thank you gentlemen!

I just want to vouch for the Liberty gas station. Their sandwiches are nothing fancy but excellent. I have overnighted in Paw Paw the last two years and love that place.

I will also vouch for Amanda. I ordered the steak sandwich and my girlfriend got a cheeseburger. Both were outstanding! Amanda was a super kind woman, didn't mind one bit that we were caked in mud.

So I guess I'll flip a coin then!

Another vote for eating lunch at the Liberty Gas station. Their sandwiches are great.

So I ended up at the Liberty. I ordered the chicken sandwich - lettuce, tomato, mayo, and I asked the gal if she had pickles. She answered, "dill or sweet?". Put some of each on it, I replied. When she finished preparing my lunch, she handed me a delicious meal that had pickles piled 6" high. Fabulous.

We're planning on biking about 10 to 15 miles westward from Carderock. Is the trail hilly and what is the surface like?

This section of the C&O is virtually flat with an easily rideable surface.

Hi all!
Planning to ride the GAP and C&O in early September. Any recommendations or ideas for a nice 5 or 6 day plan leaving from Pittsburgh? I will be camping.
Thanks in advance!
LMM

The itinerary we have basically used three times now is:
Day 1: Pittsburgh to Dravo Cemetery or Cedar Creek (~27 or 37 miles)
Day 2: Dravo or Cedar Creek to Confluence (Outflow Campground) (60 or 50 miles)
Day 3: Confluence to Cumberland (YMCA campground) (60 miles)
Day 4: Cumberland to Hancock (park next to river) or Licking Creek (60 or 64 miles)
Day 5: Hancock or Licking Creek to Brunswick Family Campground (70 or 66 miles)
Day 6: Brunswick to DC (55 miles)

The first day is a short day to ease into the ride a bit, which works for us since we usually leave on a Friday and then I can work in the morning. The only places that have been closed with this schedule is the Schoolhouse Kitchen in Oldtown and Amanda's in Paw Paw. But Bill's in Little Orleans is open Monday so that has worked out. The YMCA isn't the nicest or quietest but has showers. You can leave Cumberland and head to the first campground on the C and O at Evitts Creek about 4 miles down the trail. Or the Fairfield Inn is right on the trail.

Looks great! Thanks Andy

We didn't camp, but met a copule of riders who RAVED about a campground outside of West Newton. I don't know the name, but recall it had some sort of generic "GAP campground" kind of name. They both loved the campground --apparently very nice amenities

It is the GAP Trail Bikers Campground. It is a pay campground. There is also a free campground about 3.5 miles on the other side of West Newton in Cedar Creek Park. Although it has potable water and chemical toilets, it does not have all the other amenities of the pay camping area such as showers.

We are planning on doing a good chunk of the C&O in September. I'm assuming that the Paw Paw will be closed then. Has anyone any data on the "detour"? A link? Looking at maps, it appears that the Paw Paw tunnel hill trail might be a possible work-around. I'm not sure if it'll be possible with fully loaded touring bikes. Picture i've seen indicate it's more of a fire road. Thanks!

See the link below regarding the detour. “Road” is a very kind description of that detour. I would use the term “goat path”. I’ve done it with a loaded bike and would not look forward to doing it again especially under wet conditions. I pushed and pulled the bike more than I rode it.

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/pawpaw-closure.htm

We are heading to ride the GAP/C&O starting on July 20th. We will be riding through Paw Paw on Mon. July 26, 21. I would love to keep updated on how this closure, detour and conditions on the Tunnel Hill Trail are. If anyone could share their experience, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I think the best approach is to keep an eye on this forum up until the day you go through the tunnel for any reports. As of now, everyone has gone through the tunnel recently with no issues.

Even though the detour signs are up, it’s worth taking the risk going through the tunnel. Takes maybe 30-40 mins to walk bike through the tunnel? No one knows when the crews will be back to fix the walls on eastern end of the so just plan on going right through. The worst case scenario that will happen is they finally do show up, resume work, and you can’t get through. You might lose an hour now that you’ll have to go back but the temps of the tunnel are cool so it’s not all bad. It’s a risk worth taking by all accounts.

Also, passing cyclists will let you know if you can go right through or need the detour.

So far this summer everyone has gone through with no issues.

I went through on July 1st, with no hindrances - it is wide open.

As others have commented, we rode through the tunnel in May, even though it was supposed to have been closed. Whether it was open or closed was a topic of conversation on the trail as we rode, so you can surely ask riders coming the other direction as your approach as to the status when you are riding. We were prepared to do the "over the hill" tunnel trail and thought it might be an adventure, but were extremely happy the tunnel was open. The ride from Cumberland to Hancock is ~ 60 miles through bumpy (and in our case, muddy) trail. This was the worst section of the C and O when we road. It's pretty but other than the Tunnel, not much diversion and the trail was quite rough. It probably took us 20 minutes to walk through the tunnel (do not ride through the tunnel for safety). We were told to budget "1-2 hours" to take the tunnel trail if the tunnel was not open and from some of the video I have watched of others doing it, I think that estimate is accurate (the tunnel trail is, I think, just a couple of miles!) An adventure possibly, yes, but a fun adventure, probably not. I hope the trail will be open and if it is not, consider getting a shuttle. Also, it was a little confusing to some riders---if you are travelling from DC to Pittsburgh, there as signs as you approach the tunnel that the tunnel is closed (even though it was not) and at least one person we met, had gone up and over, b/c he was unaware of the situation. we were travelling Pitts to DC and there were no closure signs. Good Luck and have a great trip.

Thank you very much for the information. It's very helpful. I am watching and reading this blog closely for information and updates. I appreciate the update, John W, Sarge and rj. I'd love to go through the tunnel and not go up and over. We are traveling from Pittsburg to DC. Can you tell I am a bit nervous? Enjoy your ride. Glad you made it through the tunnel with no issues.