C&O / GAP Forum

Apologies if this has been addressed before...I tried using the search function, but it never provided any results.
We are a group who will be arriving in three cars to ride Meyersdale>DC. We are leisurely riders, so are planning on being gone 10 days. Is there anyone who frequents this forum who might have insight into where we might arrange to park our cars in Meyersdale for that length of time? Any safety precautions? Obviously, a car break-in can happen just about anywhere any time, but we are hoping to find a place that is relatively safe and where we will not be towed. Thanks in advance for any info.

You can park at the Meyersdale Area Historical Society, it’s a stones throw from the trail. Also, on the official GAP map, it’s marked with a “P” for Parking at this location so it’s a place you can park for trail access. Since you’ll be leaving your car for more than a day, you could/should contact them and ask about weeklong parking just to make sure they won’t tow. I don’t believe they would tow but better to ask and alert them. Their number is 814-634-8654. They have a web page also and it says “free parking”.

Have a great trip.

John

Thank you for your response, the Meyersdale Area Historical Society turned out to be the perfect solution! They said we could provide our license numbers and contact info, which would be faxed to the local police. The parking lot is patrolled, apparently.

Thank you for the answer John W and for asking the question Indy! I just had to rearrange my entire trip due to a family issue and this was super helpful now that I'm starting in Meyersdale instead of Pittsburgh.

On the Pennsylvania Maple Festival Park web site I just saw that some dates are already sold out for the campground and others have limited availablity.

Sold Out:
June 10
July 19
August 30

Limited Availablity:
June 13
August 8
October 3

Some of the larger crowds could be related to events hosted at the festival grounds, not just bicycle tourists.

You could roll the dice and do same day or walk-in reservations but with what appears to be a busy summer season ahead, I would call and make reservations to guarantee you get a site if you choose to stay here.

John

...or consider overnighting in Rockwood at the Husky Haven campsite or the Hostel on Main Street.

This is a great place to stay. Have to go up a short very steep hill to get to the road, but it was worth it.

Taking Amtrack to DC Rent car from Pittsburgh back to CT. A couple Motels durring the whole trip and the rest bike camping. Anyone interested in comming along?

Contact Awesomejimosullivan@gmail.com

Hi All--
I lost my GoPro with a tripod handle attached on Friday, May 14th I think somewhere after West Newton (if memory serves me). If you found it, would really appreciate a message.

Thanks!

Now you are MilkCartonNoMo? Hope you get it back.

Can anyone report on current weather and trail conditions. Our family of 4 will be riding Pitt to DC last week of May.we are wondering how many rain days we might have. And how soft the trail might be.

Scroll down, a thread exists on this subject.

Really hard to say what the weather will be like. You’ll need to prepare for warm and cool weather and hope for the best. Really, the mud is only most problemmatic from MM22 to MM 0, where the trail gets the most use. It is worth carrying one of those thin tools with stiff bristles on both ends to help clean out your sprockets and chain rings.

Really hard to say what the weather will be like. You’ll need to prepare for warm and cool weather and hope for the best. Really, the mud is only most problemmatic from MM22 to MM 0, where the trail gets the most use. It is worth carrying one of those thin tools with stiff bristles on both ends to help clean out your sprockets and chain rings.

I just completed the Pittsburgh to DC ride last weekend (Fri-Sun). The trail conditions on both the Gap and C&O were pretty much ideal (temps topped out low 70s and trails were dry). The Gap is definitely a smoother trail surface throughout, although it's a looooong slow climb to that Continental Divide. The C&O has some roots, small rocks, potholes except for the 10 miles ro so before Harper's Ferry and roughly 20 miles after Harper's Ferry where the trail has a similar surface to the Gap. I elected to take "advantage" of the Western Maryland trail to pickup some time and take a break from the natural terrain.

If you are taking a similar itinerary/speed/etc., then I highly suggest stopping at the Kickstand Kitchen for lunch on the Gap as there is really not much after that and it's right on the trail. We also stopped in Hancock on the C&O as there is a Sheetz right off the WMRT.

We didn't have any material detours on either trail, so all the major work appears to have been completed.

Last observation, the dust factor was an unexpected aspect of both trails. I highly recommend bringing chain lube, as my bike (and chain) were pretty well coated with dust from the trail after each day of riding.

MilkCartonGoPro: How was the Paw Paw Tunnel? Do you go right through or did you take the detour up and over? How was the climb?

For anyone that has traveled the C&O Trail in the last few days, is the trail open downstream of the Paw Paw Tunnel open or did you have to take the bypass trail up and over the tunnel? Any new signage in that area?

The tunnel is all open no problem getting through the area.

Anonymous, can you clarify what happens when you reach the end of the tunnel? From what everyone has understood, you can go all the way through the tunnel but then once you come out the other side, you cannot advance past the construction area and are forced to go all the way back. Hence the detour up and over the tunnel and past the construction area. You’re saying all of the construction is completed? If so, this would be amazing news for riders this summer.

John

Detour signs are in place as well as barricades. There is no evidence of construction. It appears the the path is easily used and passable. This could change if active construction were to begin. The boardwalk is not damaged but the rockslide does come right up to it but not on it.

Steve Huebner, owner of the Little Orleans Lodge, passed away on May 3rd in hospice care. He was 85 years old. Steve is buried at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Rocky Gap, MD and the lodge is for sale.

Do I need to make reservations for the Evitts Creek Campground in Cumberland?

No. Evitt’s Creek is a free hiker/biker site as part of the C&O Canal. Just show up and pitch a tent.

I should add that Evitts Creek is right next to a train yard and you will hear the banging of cars and engines going all night.

You could go 4.8 miles further to Irons Mountain hiker/biker site. There are only 2 rails lines nearby here but no where near as busy as Evitts Creek.

As John W notes you can go downriver from the free Evitts Creek Hiker/Biker campsite to the Iron Mountain H/B campsite to avoid some train noise. Another option might be to camp at the Cumberland YMCA campsite. There is a modest fee ($12) to camp there but you have access to the facilities at the YMCA...most importantly their showers. There is also an outdoor pavilion in their camping area should you encounter or expect rain overnight. There is a train spur near the campground but it was not frequently used when I stayed there. There is also a street that runs nearby but I didn't notice any car traffic after I went to sleep. There is an online campsite request form but I simply walked in late in the afternoon to the YMCA entry desk and obtained a campsite. There typically aren't many that camp there.

White’s Ferry, near Leesburg, VA is closed indefinitely. When riding from Cumberland to D.C., is there a recommended work around? My husband and I had planned to stay in Shepherdstown and then Leesburg before riding into D.C. I would appreciate input on this, as it is our first thru-bike tour.

I would call your hotel and ask if you can be picked up since Whites Ferry is out for the season. I’m not sure if they will do it but it’s worth a shot.

Thanks, John W. We do not yet have a reservation in Leesburg, so we may opt to remain on the trail and see what may be found a bit closer to D.C. We had hoped to use Leesburg to break up the mileage...staying flexible!

It’s good you remain flexible. Not a lot of hotel choices on the Maryland side until you’re practically in DC. It’s such a shame the ferry is out. Hopefully it’s resolved soon. If you decide to look into Leesburg one more time, ask if they offer a shuttle and can collect you from Point of Rocks, MD, which is the closest active bridge cars use and reach you down at the C&O. It’s worth a shot but not sure how eager they will be to collect you and your bikes and, of course, bring you back the next day. But it’s worth calling and asking at least...tell them your cycling the C&O. They will know Whites Ferry is out.

Another option is to adjust your nightly stops. I’ve done Cumberland to Hancock, Hancock to Harpers Ferry, Harpers Ferry to DC. That’s about 60 miles a day but I don’t know what you will be comfortable with. You could still stop at Shepardstown for lunch or dinner.

Comfort suites in Leesburg will pickup from Point of Rocks. Room rate is $20 higher but well worth it. We were trying also to avoid a 60 mile day.

Also, try Gaithersburg or Germantown in MD. There are a ton of places there and they may well pick you up from Whites Farry.

Do any ride hailing services exist in and out of these towns? Could be an option but I never know how far their service areas are.

There are two hotels in brunswick md, including a new holiday inn express.

Is there anything in the way of a cafe or restaurant or any type of food availability anywhere close to “Turtle Run Hiker Biker site in Whites Ferry. Also “Jordan Junction”??
Or should we plan to purchase food on the way there and keep in panniers?
(We are traveling West to East)

For Turtle Run, there is nothing nearby. I would pack food and water in.

Jordan Junction on the other hand is just about 2-3 miles before Williamsport. So you’ll have plenty of restaurant options. I usually stop at Tony’s Pizza but there are many other places. You could even order subs from Sheetz touch screen menu and bring it back to camp.

The Whites Farry Cafe is a few miles from Turtle Run. They have great sandwiches and would love your business!!

Is the Whites Ferry Cafe still open since the ferry is reportedly not operating?

Their facebook page had an update yesterday, so I would guess that they are still open.

https://www.facebook.com/whitesferrystoreandgrill/

Hours are 9am-6pm so don’t wait too long to get here if this is your dinner destination for the night. They are closed on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s, keep that in mind.

Like Rivnuts mentioned, I’m pleasantly surprised to see them still open despite the Ferry being shuttered.

Just saw their traditional web site: https://www.whitesferrygrill.com/

I wonder if they have new owners in the last couple years? When I stopped there 3-4 years ago, the grill part was pretty basic fare. They’ve definitely expanded their menu!

Anyways, glad to hear this is open since Leesburg is out and there isn’t much else near by.

Planning a GAP trail ride towards the latter part of May. I am hoping to leave my car in Cumberland and arrange for a shuttle to Pittsburgh. I've had no luck finding a one way car rental. And a few of the shuttle services don't seem to be operating right now (season or Covid?) I did find one that will shuttle but at a price of $275 per person. Any help out there? Thanks.

We rent a vehicle at Enterprise in Cumberland. You can leave your car there and take the rental vehicle, with bike and gear, to the Enterprise in downtown Pittsburgh.

While its a longer drive to Pittsburgh from Maine, you might find more options to locate a one-way rental in Pittsburgh and drive to Cumberland and ride back to Pittsburgh if you can't find a rental in Cumberland. Not your best option I'm sure.

We rented at Enterprise in Pittsburgh and drove to Cumberland and dropped off at the Enterprise there. It was pretty cheap. The trail goes very close to the Enterprise store, so we jumped on there and rode ~1 mile down to the center of Cumberland.

Rode the trails from 4/20 - 4/27, starting at DC.
No water pump handles for the first 100 miles or so, so plan your water accordingly.
Trail conditions were good all the way. Many of the small town cafes and restaurants were closed, not sure if it was due to the economy or maybe they don't open until May. So food and water needed to be planned. All campsites especially the hike/bike sites were basically empty.
Some nights were freezing and days were mainly in the 50's with a head wind all the way. So going west to east would have been a better bet.
Great way to spend a week and highly recommend it. Hope to do it again, but from Pitts to DC next time.
Both closed trail locations, Paw Paw Tunnel and Dravos Landing were passable, just ignore the signs and you can get through easily.
The Ohiopyke State camp ground accessible from the trail up a very steep rough trail just west of the town, so make sure you have a booking before the climb!

Kim, I think that I heard that the Ohiopyle State Park was adding some simple sites down closer to the trail. Did you see them?

Bill: Someplace/somewhere I seem to recall that that initiative was delayed/deferred, perhaps due to the Covid pandemic. Having camping sites near the trail there would be very useful to avoid the very steep paths to reach the current park sites.

I’ll see if I can find where I read that.

When I was talking to one of the camp site maintenance guys about the tough path for cyclists after a long day cycling, he did not mention anything about a closer to trail site. But there is some earthworks being worked on at the start of the path, maybe that'll turn into a small tent site.
BTW. Cabins can only be rented for a 2 day min. I was lucky and got a kind gate attendant :-). Book ahead!

I found the reference to a new “Biker only - Nearer the Trail” campsite in Ohiopyle rather than having to climb the steep hill into the existing state park. It is in the Gaptrail.org website. It lists this trail side camp site as “Coming Fall 2020”. Perhaps the observed earthwork at the start of the path up the hill is indeed the initial effort for this site. Time will tell.

Those sites probably got slowed down by the virus. They will be a nice feature for cyclists.

Hi Kim,
This is a long shot, but did you by chance attend the University of Utah in the late 70’s?

Barron's C&O Canal Store & Museum near Sharpsburg is closed - another death by COVID.

Anyone familiar with the expected rain fall in late August/ September? Starting to worry about a muddy path

Late August will still be warm as will the first week in September. Rain is hit or miss like anywhere in the northeast. Even if it rained 2-3 days ago, the C&O likely will be muddy in spots. The best approach is to just embrace it as part of the adventure and plow through the puddles and mud. If you are staying at hotels, most along the trail will have hoses to rinse your bikes. If your camping, the water pumps at the hiker/biker site will allow you to clean up really well.

I’ve done the trail 5 times and have never had more than an afternoon of rain. No one can predict weather systems so it’s all just a guess really.

To provide a quantitative answer to your question see the link below that provides monthly weather data for Cumberland, MD, the approximate midpoint of the full trip from Pittsburgh to DC. Admittedly, as John W points out, the weather can vary widely both with time and location. The US hurricane season is given as June 1 through November 30. If you are unfortunate enough to encounter remnants of an Atlantic hurricane travelling up the east coast during your trip, it could be rather uncomfortable and warrant adjusting your itinerary. Notwithstanding that scenario, a day or partial day of rain should be expected for a week long trip. Yes, it can make portions of the trip a little sloppy, but that should not dissuade you from making the journey. Just grin and bear it and enjoy all the other days. With resurfacing of many miles of the C&O recently along with the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail that parallels the C&O for over 20 miles, that trail is much improved making wet weather less of an issue. For what it is worth, my last trip was bone dry the entire length making dust rather than mud the issue to contend with.

If you are flexible on your schedule, just watch for 10-day forecast and pick some forecasted dry days for your journey. But most of all, enjoy the journey.

https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/cumberland/maryland/united-states/usmd0115