C&O / GAP Forum

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Thru Ride Direction

Beaux58 from Sterling Heights MI on 02/26/2020 02:38 PM

I'm starting to plan a thru trip of both the Towpath and GAP and looking for recommendation as to which direction to travel. DC to Pittsburgh or Pittsburgh to DC?

Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 02/26/2020 03:40 PM

This question comes up regularly. There is no standard or definitive answer. It depends on what is most important to you. Solely from a trail perspective, the main difference is the section of the GAP from Cumberland, MD to the Eastern Continental Divide. That section is 23 miles
long and is continuously uphill from Cumberland albeit at a modest 1 to 1.25% grade. Your choice of direction may depend on whether you want/can ride uphill or downhill on that section.

Aside from the trail itself, another issue for many riders are the logistics of getting to and from Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. Car, train or shuttle issues may dictate which direction is best suited for you.

Another issue that often dictates which way I ride it is the weather. The C&O Towpath is much less enjoyable in wet conditions.

I’m sure others on this forum will have additional thoughts as well.

John from Pittsburgh, PA on 02/27/2020 10:02 PM

Both directions are great!

I personally like to go Pittsburgh to DC. I live in Pittsburgh so it's kind of anti-climactic for me to arrive at something I'm familiar with...DC is somewhere I'm not from so it's kind of exciting to arrive there and see the buzz of the city and all of the sights.

The uphill on the GAP from Pittsburgh to the Continental Divide is barely noticeable. Then you are rewarded with 24 miles of downhill bliss at 1-2% grade to Cumberland. The C&O Canal from Cumberland to DC is very flat except for the locks where you get these little plunges down a few feet. Not much but at least you aren't going up them.

Others like the opposite direction because although they have to grind up the continental divide for 24 miles (really, it's not that bad), they feel the gradual downhill over 124 miles to Pittsburgh was worth the sacrifice and they expend less effort.

Not sure if wind is any factor. The trail meanders in so many directions and you are also covered by tree canopy in many places as well.

It's a great debate that always brings up many different answers but either way is fine.

Happy Riding!

Willy from Alexandria VA on 02/28/2020 12:46 AM

To quote the Beatles "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah."

I believe that it is best to go from one end to the other.
Which end is more convenient to you to start-go do it.

Pittsburgh is vaguely at 1300 ft above sea level.
DC is vaguely 400 ft above sea level.

Most of the difference is between Cumberland and the continental divide.

In the end you got 300+ miles to get from here to there.

Enjoy the ride either way.

tom from Robinson on 02/28/2020 06:47 PM

Pittsburgh elevation (at the point) is actually 721' above sea level and DC is 9' above sea level at C&O milepost 0. Don't know where you came up with those numbers. This means that the net elevation difference is negative 712' going from Pittsburgh to DC. It is generally accepted that Pittsburgh to DC is a bit easier mainly due to the significant drop in elevation from Frostburg to Cumberland.

Rivnuts from Homestead. PA on 02/28/2020 09:07 PM

John/Tom:

As fellow Yinzer's it might be enjoyable to get together sometime, on or off the trail, to share our experiences and stories about our trips along this trail.

Ted (Rivnuts)

Willy from Alexandria,VA on 02/29/2020 08:57 AM

Ok. I stand corrected on the elevation specs.
Like I said before, just do it.
It's a wonderful ride either direction.
It other news, although I live in Alexandria these days, I'm a yinzer too. Born and raised in Canonsburg.

Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 02/29/2020 09:31 AM

Willy:

Given you are from Big Mac country you should, if you haven’t already done so, start or finish your next bike trip to/from home on the Montour Trail in route to/from the GAP Trail.

Willy from Alexandria VA on 02/29/2020 01:48 PM

Yep.
Hendersonville (Tandem Connection) is 3 miles from my parents house.
I used to walk the Montour line when trains still ran on it.

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 03/01/2020 10:09 AM

Tandem Connection....best ice cream on the Montour Trail.

Arminius from Richmond, VA on 03/11/2020 01:37 PM

I agree with John from Pittsburgh, but in the opposite direction!
Living near and visiting DC a lot, I prefer to head towards Pittsburgh as west to east seems anti-climactic. Remember, the elevation gain is not that much and it's spread out over hundreds of miles. You really don't feel the elevation gain going west, at least up to Cumberland.

In terms of winds: generally, the prevailing winds are W-E, with some NW or SW variance. Sometimes it doesn't matter. One trip, I left Mt. Vernon in a 30 mph headwind. It didn't let up until I got to Brunswick where I camped. 70+ miles into that wind sapped me of any energy I had left!

Gary from Charlotte on 03/12/2020 01:33 PM

In my opinion DC to Pitt is best.

But, you need to consider transportation back to/from your car, and cost of parking your car.

First. After many years of hiking and bikepacking I have found that you always want to ride/hike to your car. This gives you the option of speeding up or slowing down your trip by a day or so.

My favorite trip:
Stay at a Pittsburgh hotel near the train station that will allow you to leave your car behind for a week or so for free. (Hampton Inn)

Train to DC, arrive early afternoon.

Leisurely ride through DC and then ride 20-30 miles to a Hiker/Biker site

Get up in the morning and continue on the trail at your own pace.

Yes, there is one big hill in the middle. But it is a 2-3 hour push and then it is all down hill to Pitt.

John from Pittsburgh on 03/13/2020 01:42 PM

Sorry I missed this. Tandem Connection is my closest parking area for all things Montour Trail. Would love a meet-up and ride!

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 03/13/2020 10:09 PM

John:

As the spring weather improves and the Montour dries out, I'll create a new thread on this forum to suggest when we can meet up for a ride. I can get to the Tandem Connection easily enough. Also, as a retiree my calendar and days are generally quite open.

Ted

John from Pittsburgh on 03/14/2020 08:53 AM

Great! I wish I was retired! ;-)

Thanks Ted, looking forward to the trail/meet-up thread.

John

John W. from Pittsburgh,PA on 06/07/2020 04:07 PM

Rivnuts,

Let me know when you want to do a meetup at Hendersonville and ride some Montour Trail!

John

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Bills place in Little Orleans is closed and for sale

John m from Richmond va on 03/25/2020 10:32 PM

We rode through 2 weeks ago and Bills Place was closed up and for sale. Don’t count on getting food/drink there.

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 03/26/2020 06:31 PM

The fishing must have gotten better than the restaurant business. Bill's son who owned the place always would have rather have been fishing. I wonder who'll get all those dollar bills in the place?

Gskd from Springfield Virginia on 05/29/2020 11:59 AM

Glad to say Bill’s is not closed. We talked to his son this past Sunday. They’re offering takeout only at present. He says the 4-sale sign is just a joke (unless someone made an offer he couldn’t refuse)

Ray (webmaster) on 05/29/2020 12:19 PM

OK well that is good news, thank you for posting. I've added Bill's Place back into the listings.

Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 05/29/2020 06:58 PM

Is Bill’s Place still closed on Monday’s and/or Tuesday’s?

bike traveler from Austin, TX on 05/31/2020 02:21 PM

I came across Bill's Place last July just as I was about to run out of water. Glad to hear it's still open!

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C&O Towpath - NPS Partial Reopening

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 05/27/2020 08:57 PM

According to the NPS website below, some of the campgrounds and H/B campsites are or are beginning to open as listed in specified northwestern Maryland counties.

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Various limitations and restrictions still apply.

John from Pittsburgh on 05/27/2020 10:03 PM

Thanks Rivnuts.

Interesting opening. From the C&O site linked above, “Hiker-bike Campsites - open in Frederick, Washington, and Allegany Counties (Calico Rocks to Evitts Creek). Please bring your own water as pump handles will not be replaced and turned on at this time. Restrooms may be open and will be cleaned twice weekly. Please bring your own hand sanitizer, soap, and toilet paper as these items have been the subject of theft.“

Calico Rocks is Mile 47.6 and the closest to DC. The campsites are open all the way to Cumberland.

This is good news. I think I can begin to plan out my week long tour now! :-)

John

Arminius from Richmond, VA on 05/28/2020 01:24 PM

Huzzah! Let the planning begin.
The hard part will be explaining to the wife that I'll be leaving for awhile...

Rivnuts from Homestead. PA on 05/28/2020 08:42 PM

Don't tell her . She may never know you are gone. ??

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Trail and campsites open

TODD M SCHLABACH from Dayton on 05/16/2020 06:45 AM

Hi all! We're planning an overnight trip the end of May and I want to confirm the trail is available to ride as well as campsites along the way are open to the public, considering the COVID-19 restrictions currently.

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 05/16/2020 08:21 AM

I know the Governor of Maryland has allowed some facilities and services to reopen with applicable COVID restrictions. However, as of this morning the NPS's C&O Towpath website has not been updated to indicate that that campsites are open/opening. Where is the reopening of the campsites being reported?

Matt from Charlotte on 05/18/2020 01:02 PM

I'm going to assume that as long as DC remains locked down, so will the campsites along the C&O. I've postponed my May trip until July. hopefully DC will pull its head out of "its current location" by then.

telo from pgh on 05/18/2020 04:30 PM

That's really high hopes for this bunch of legislators. The worst I've seen in my 70 years.

Richard from Washington DC on 05/18/2020 05:02 PM

There is no connection between the lock-down in DC and the closing of the campsites. The National Park Service, not the DC government, runs the campsites along the canal. However, if you want to eat in a restaurant or sleep in a hotel in DC, then you'll have to pay attention to what the DC government is doing. Otherwise, you can use the campsites as soon as the Park Service decides to do that. You might also watch the infection rate in Maryland. It's still unacceptably high. Many public places, like theaters and libraries, have already announced they will be closed through Labor Day.

Matt from Charlotte on 05/19/2020 09:00 AM

No disrespect Richard, but DC remains the only area of the country on "full lockdown." (all 50 states have begun to relax their policy) & Given that the national parks service bases it's park status on local community regulations, and most of the national parks have reopened, one can only draw the obvious conclusions.

Richard from Washington DC on 05/19/2020 02:29 PM

Matt, I am sorry but your obvious conclusion isn't obvious. The infection and death rates in Maryland, Virginia, and DC continue to climb. But shoot, if you don't think you'll get coronavirus, there is no reason you can't pack your own provisions and ride the trail. It seems to me that you want the federal government not DC to order federal employees to risk getting the virus so you can have fun.

telo from pgh on 05/19/2020 02:45 PM

It might not be obvious to you, but it is to most everyone else. Everything about, and apparently from, DC is a little out of touch with reality. It's time to move forward. Small, thoughtful steps maybe, but forward just the same.

Matt from Charlotte on 05/20/2020 10:14 AM

Richard- Glad I have you to tell me what I want. Thanks for setting the record straight. ;)

Richard from Washington DC on 05/20/2020 01:12 PM

Telo and Matt, Neither of you seems to agree with the president's decision to close the campsites on the C&O Canal, but until he changes his mind you're going to have to live with it. Things could be worse. As you may know, many people in DC want to sell off the canal to private developers, thus getting the government out of the business of running the campsites. Of course, that would also mean the end of the canal.

telo from pgh on 05/22/2020 09:21 PM

I'm pretty certain the president has no idea what the C&O towpath is, and if he does, he would want to open it since he is in favor of opening most everything as soon as possible. I really can't second guess the NPS decision to keep the campsites closed because I realize they have a much better view of their particular situation than I do. That being said, I've decided to go ahead with a DC to Pgh solo trip the first week of June. The trip was mapped out over six months ago and I will be staying at hotels, which all have opened back up by now. I will be strictly adhering to social distancing, masks and gloves. As an added precaution I plan to quarantine myself for 2 weeks after I get back. Water and food may be more difficult so I plan to carry extra with me. You younger guys can easily say "I'll just do it next year". Old, crusty geezers like me don't have that luxury. With me it's now or never. I have it stuck in my head that I need to see that trail one more time so for good or bad I'm going for it.

Richard from Washington DC on 05/22/2020 10:38 PM

Telo, You're hard core! You probably can do it that way. Good luck.

John from Pittsburgh on 05/24/2020 09:21 PM

If anyone is looking to do some bikepacking/camping, the three campsites on the Montour Trail are open. This is the southwest suburbs of Pittsburgh for anyone who is not familiar with it. The three are near the Boggs trailhead (west of Imperial), along Cecil-Henderson Road (northwest of Hendersonville and Southpointe), and at Gill Hall Road (in Pleasant Hills). By “open“, I mean nowhere does it say you can’t camp on their website. I do not know if the Porta Johns and water faucets are on so you may want to check. In fact, they may be locked or shut. I went by the campsite at Cecil Henderson, and three of the six sites were occupied on Saturday. Anyways, just an FYI if anyone has that bicycle touring camping itch!

John

Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 05/25/2020 04:15 PM

If you plan to camp overnight at the Boggs Campsite, I would recommend you have some good ear plugs. When I last stayed there, there was a fleet of garbage trucks that went up and down the nearby road all night long.

Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 05/25/2020 04:16 PM

Rivnuts from Homestead. PA on 05/25/2020 05:10 PM

If you plan to camp the night at the Boggs Campsite, I recommend you take a pair of ear plugs. The last time a stayed there, there was a constant stream garbage trucks traveling up and down the nearby road all night long.

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Bridge at Harpers Ferry out!?

Don from Newtown Square PA on 05/20/2020 09:54 PM

I read where the pedestrian bridge from the towpath to Harpers Ferry is out due to a train derailment. I have accommodation booked in HF and need to cross! How can I do that? From looking at google maps, the railroad is a barrier on the approach from the South and the road looks very busy. And inaccessible from the trail. Thanks.

John from Pittsburgh on 05/20/2020 11:36 PM

Park Service site says CSX anticipates work being completed at the end of July barring weather or Covid delays.

The Appalachia Trail Conservancy in HF has info about shuttles or taxis:
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/transportation.

Rivnuts from Homestead. PA on 05/21/2020 05:25 AM

You might want to ask the proprietor of your lodging in HF if they can provide free transport to/from their facility and the trail on the other side of the river.

Brian from New Orleans, LA on 05/25/2020 03:50 PM

I was planning on doing a section hike on the AT out of Harpers Ferry this summer. Here is another option for getting across the river since the pedestrian bridge is out.

You can take a 5:25am MARC train out of Harpers Ferry that arrives in Brunswick at 5:40am. It's early, but it's only a few bucks. Here is a link to the train.

https://www.mta.maryland.gov/schedule/marc-brunswick?schedule_date=05%2F27%2F2020&direction=0&origin=11942&destination=11943

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GAP - C&O Trail Updates

Matt Dietrich from Napoleon OHIO on 05/19/2020 09:26 PM

From what I can find on various forums, it appears the trail from Pittsburgh to Washington DC is open the whole way, but visitor centers, restrooms & drinking fountains are not open as of May 19, 2020. Our trip is scheduled for June 18.

Our plan is to continue with our trip since we are self contained with tents, and restaurants are open for food/drink. I even see rafting is now open in OhioPyle.

Does anyone see any major issues with this plan. We will bring our masks for entering busy areas or restaurants/shops.

Thoughts?

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 05/20/2020 09:06 AM

I, too, have been trying to monitor the status of both the GAP and the C&O trails to DC as I look forward to making the trip again. Since I plan to camp along the way, the status of the campgrounds and campsites along the C&O are my primary concern relative to the logistics of the trip. As of this morning the NPS webpage for the C&O still states that the campgrounds and campsites are still closed. I don't know for certain if that is still the case or whether the webpage simply has not been updated. The issue of the spread of the virus remains an issue as well.

There should be no significant issues along the GAP itself. Over the last week or two I'm starting to see touring cyclists riding along the GAP out of Pittsburgh.

John from Pittsburgh on 05/20/2020 08:08 PM

I’m shooting for early September, Rivnuts. I’ll either get to do it or accept defeat for 2020 and watch lots of videos about people riding the GAP to DC!.

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 05/21/2020 09:11 AM

John from Pgh

Pre-pandemic I had a tentative plan to make the DC trip in August with a friend from an earlier Erie Canal trip. I'm not sure if he still plans to make that trip or not. I admit to having cabin fever with other spring and early-summer tours being cancelled and thus was considering making a trip down the GAP/C&O even earlier...perhaps just the GAP, one way or round trip given the restrictions on the C&O. Just need the weather to warm up and dry out a little.

Re the Montour, if you want to brave a day-ride on that trail in the near term suggest a day/time good for you and I can meet you in Hendersonville.

John from Pittsburgh on 05/21/2020 03:13 PM

Rivnuts...I’ve been hitting some solo runs on the Montour and even got up to the Panhandle trail this spring. Feels great although I’ve had to layer up on a few trips. If they can ever connect the east end of the Panhandle with Carson St. in downtown Pittsburgh, they could have a ton of cross country riders going though there.

We’ll get that Montour ride in at Hendersonville soon enough! Lets target this summer...July perhaps when things open up (hopefully)? Looking forward to that.

Did you do Erie Canal on your own or was it the PTNY Cycle the Erie Canal event? Highly recommend that tour and/or that trail. Such a great ride. Not crazy crowded like RAGBRAI but still feels like a big event...just the right size actually.

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 05/22/2020 09:52 AM

John from Pgh:

I,too, rode the Panhandle Trail out of Walker's Mill a couple of weeks ago. It is a great gateway trail to Ohio but, as you noted, is not directly accessible from Pittsburgh. You can get there from Pittsburgh via the Three Rivers Heritage Trail across Neville Island and the Montour albeit with a bit of road riding to reach the Montour.

I've ridden the Erie Canal Trail across New York including the excursion to/from Niagara Falls across the Peace Bridge a couple of times, most recently last year. It is similar in the number of participants to the GOBA and Shoreline West tours. The XOBA tour across Ohio is much smaller still which I rather like.

With nicer weather I think I'll revisit the Ghost Town, Armstrong and Allegheny River Trails for day rides until the C&O opens fully.

Stay safe.

John from Pittsburgh on 05/22/2020 01:11 PM

It seems like quite a few extra miles are required going via Neville Island/Montour Trail. It’s a shame the Panhandle isn’t connected yet but maybe one day.. I suppose you could exit the GAP at McKeesport and take the Montour but you‘ll miss the approach to Pittsburgh which a great ride.

Quite possibly my favorite ride ever is the Greater Niagara Circle Route out of Niagara Falls, ONT. Head north to Niagara-in-the-Lake (NOTL) along three Niagara River Recreation Trail, then head west to Port Weller on the Waterfront Trail, then south to Port Colborne along the Welland Canals Parkway Trail, then west to Fort Erie on the Friendship Trail, then finally back north towards Niagara Falls on the Niagara River Recreation Trail. 87 miles total. Parts or all of those trails make up the GNCR.

I did it over two days to take in all the scenery and sights. Wineries, the Niagara Gorge, Queenston Heights, NOTL, old forts, an active shipping canal (with usually a freighter or two to see), and of course, the Falls. 90% trail. A really great trip and the only hills are the Escarpment but it’s not bad.

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Redbank Vallet rail Trail

BobTheBuilder from Cleveland, Ohio on 05/16/2020 05:00 PM

Has anyone ridden the Redbank Valley Rail trail north of Pittsburgh?
Also we rode a section of Raill66 in that same area. Nice. And more to be paved soon

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 05/17/2020 08:44 AM

I rode the Redbank Valley Trail from its origin on the Armstrong Trail to Brookville a couple of years ago. It is a nice rail trail and an easy ride. There is some pavement into and around New Bethlehem and Brookville. In normal times those small towns have diners and restaurants to eat and/or obtain food/drink. I recall there being one campsite on the way toward New Bethlehem. Others who have ridden this trail more recently and more frequently will have additional info, I'm sure.

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GI Dayroom Coffee Shop in Meyersdale

Kathy on 05/15/2020 08:40 PM

The park across the street from G.I. Dayroom has a large gazebo. Shade from hot sun and place to eat covered from rain. Plus could dry off there. Try it. Nice place to eat your breakfast or lunch. Until covid rules change adjust. Have a great ride.

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GI Dayroom Coffee Shop in Meyersdale

Kathy on 05/15/2020 08:39 PM

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GI Dayroom Coffee Shop in Meyersdale

Kathy on 05/15/2020 07:53 PM

Hey all bikers. G.I. Dayroom in Meyersdale, Pa is opened. Call ahead to order. Great food. Take out only. There is a park directly across the street. Hopefully the park will put in some picnic tables. There are other places that serve food but due to covid rules people can't go into the restaurants to eat. So would really be nice to get some picnic tables in the park and garbage cans. A really nice community in Meyersdale. Support the locals. You will get great food on the trail here!

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