C&O / GAP Forum

The subject says it all.

Thanks! :)

Glad I did my first RAGBRAI last year!

Seems like a lot of posters are postponing their June/July trips to early September which is a great month to do the GAP/C&O. Even then, it all depends on if COVID-19 diminishes and how soon. Nobody really knows right now. I suppose you could plan it out now and cancel if we’re still on stay-at-home orders.

I’ve never been on the KATY trail so I can’t comment on that one. But any of these are great week long rides. Erie Canal (Buffalo to Albany) and Ohio to Erie (Cincinnati to Cleveland) are possibilities also.

John

I used to live in Missouri and still pay attention to what is happening there. Also I used to bike on the Katy Trail a lot. There is a website like this one for the Katy Trail (run by Ray the Webmaster who runs this site): bikekatytrail.com. You can check on there. On that site you can probably link to the Missouri State Parks site that will clarify what is open and what is closed. The last I heard bathrooms at the trailheads on the Katy Trail were open, but I don't remember when I heard that. There is not very much camping along the Katy Trail, so you'll need for hotels, B & Bs, etc to be open. Missouri is under a stay at home order/state shut down. But I believe the planned re-open date is 5-8-2020.

With the administration indicating that some national parks could begin to reopen soon, the C&O would seem to be a likely candidate given the very low density of people on that trail. If so, self supported trips thereon can resume. However, support services along the way will likely be much slower to resume operation.

Heading to Confluence in a week for a few days of riding. Just day rides. Will post when I’m done.

I rode the Katy end to end 2 years ago and the GAP/C&O last year. The Katy was a great ride. We didn't camp, used B&B's along the way. I would love to ride the Katy again.

I had planned on doing a solo trip (west to east) of the GAP/C&O at the end of May. I felt that even under current circumstances, doing the trip solo was still with-in guidelines. figured I would just make arrangements to cary a little more food & water than I had planned. However, it looks like under CDC recommendations I'm going to have to cancel or at least postpone until fall.

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
All campgrounds along the C&O are now closed.

I recognize that things could change in the next 6-7 weeks, but it looks like I'll be social distancing at home rather than on the trail.

Bummer. I was scheduled for June, the same direction, and although I haven’t cancelled yet, I’m probably gonna pull the plug very soon. We’ll see how this plays out but I’m not hopeful at this moment in time.

Interestingly, I contacted the Westnoreland County PA offices yesterday as to whether Cedar Creek Park currently allows overnight camping which I am considering for a solo day trip albeit with very conservartive social distancing and hygiene. They responded that the park and camping area is still open without any specific exceptions about restrooms and faucets.

Of course that is only one possible camping site along the trail . Other potential campsites including the National Park Service would have to be researched for at the time of trave for availability and water. Even more problematic would be the availability of other services including restaurants, delis, B&B's, bike shops, etc. as well as transportation to or from origin and destination cities..

If one were planning to make the trip self-supported and recognizing some likely atypical nconveniences, (AND RISKS) it may be possible. Earlier and more detailed research, planning and provisioning will be necessary. Lastly, conservative social distancing and hygiene would still be appropriate which may make the trip somewhat less enjoyable.

I, myself, am cautiously optimistic about making a scheduled. full trip in August with a fellow bikepacker. Only time will tell..

Be well and stay safe.

Just heard on The Pedalshift Project podcast (of which the host of is traveling on it as we speak) that while the C&O is open, the Park Service just took off the handles on the water pumps and locked the port-a-johns due to virus concerns.

The Campgrounds are still open. The host said the trail is really empty once you get out into the suburbs outside of DC.

That is consistent with the info on the National Park Service website that Matt referenced in an earlier post.

So it sounds like a 1 or 2 day ride may still be ok if we carry enough food and water and camp out and so the only variables now are if some of the grocery stores along the way will be open just in case, and if UBER will be available if something breaks down and is unrepairable.

so, are we saying the statement from US parks service: "All campgrounds and campsites are closed throughout the park." doesn't mean that all campgrounds are closed?

I have no problem digging a cat-hole to do my business, I have no problem carrying a couple of liters of extra water or an extra day of food, but I'm not a big fan of the potential of getting chased out of a campsite or getting charged with trespassing for ignoring the closure.

Has anyone who has actually been on the canal willing to fill the rest of us in on what is really going on?

I sent an email to recreation.gov asking if we could still use the campsites along the C&P canal path even though the water and bathrooms have been closed and i doubt i'll hear back with their offices being closed, but at least we can we tried to contact them, but i doubt if anyone would prevent us from camping at one of these sites.
https://www.recreation.gov/contact-us
https://www.canaltrust.org/pyv/huckleberry-hill-campsite/

I was on the canal at Seneca Creek last weekend. There were quite a few people out. Many wore masks. Starting Monday, you can't go into even the open businesses unless you wear a mask. I personally don't think they are necessary outdoors, but you're not going to make friends if you're biking the canal without one. The governor's stay-home order allows outdoor exercise, but it prohibits going out of state as does DC's. In short, while it might be possible to bike from the canal and GAP, it isn't a very good idea.

Yes in Tim’s "The Pedalshift Project #200" podcast for April 9th, link below, Tim mentions that the water and bathrooms are closed, but he ends up camping at the Marble Quarry campsite (38.2mm) without any hassles, so i’m going to go ahead with my plan to ride to Harper’s Ferry around mid May and will bring some masks for when there are groupings of people on the trail.
https://pedalshift.net/pedalshiftproject-bicycle-touring-podcast/

Just heard back from a C&O canal admin person and she said the campsites are closed, even the small remote campsites adjacent to the canal like Huckleberry Hill, but they will re-evaluate May 10 and there is a $250 fine if caught camping, so will update on May 10th.

Yikes. Ok thanks for that. There is no grey area now.

While the C&O Towpath campsites are closed at this time the GAP Trail is open albeit with certain constraints and conditions related to the public, primitive campsites and services as described at:

https://gaptrail.org/trail-info/trail-alerts

If you want to stay at other private/pay camping sites you may want to contact them ahead of time. These would include the KOA before Connellsville, Husky Haven at Rockwood and the YMCA in Cumberland.

With interest and proper planning I think you could make the trip from Pittsburgh and Cumberland or vice versa.

It's April 2020, and Deli on the Rocks is Under New Management, and they make wonderful Pizza. I order the one called Grand Slam at least once a week. In my opinion, Deli on the Rocks is much much better than it used to be.

If you need a socially-distanced sanity break, the C&O and GAP trails remain OPEN. Facilities such as restrooms and visitor centers may be closed.

C&O details: https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

GAP details:
https://us10.campaign-archive.com/?u=a89b4a7aa485e12a60cf42c07&id=20e7644ea4

And as you'll see on the GAP link above, Big Savage Tunnel is OPEN

Follow the guidelines, be smart, be safe, enjoy the wind and sunshine.

One more thing- any word on White's Ferry? As more and more localities are self-quarantining (if that's a word) I'm wondering about things like ferries. I see that Dare County, NC is blocking all non residents from entering. I can see points like this ferry closing, though it would be simple enough to drive across the border.

Just wond'rin.

With the country shutting down and social distancing seems to be what is needed to combat the corona virus outbreak, I'm considering doing my part and getting away from it all on the trail.

It'll be a last minute decision as to when I go, but I'm hoping in the next two weeks or so, depending on the weather.

Does anyone have an update on the conditions of the trail- specifically between Leesburg and Hancock and then also Little Orleans to Oldtown? Muddy? Dry? What tires do you recommend?

Also, how has the washout been fixed?

Thanks!!

I was out between point of rocks and shepherdstown over the weekend and it was all fine. The resurfacing feels like it was just done in my opinion. There were a couple of quick detours due to washouts, but no real problem. I rode on my Gravel Kings.

Thanks!

I'm already getting excited about a self supported, all camping trip from Pittsburgh to DC this summer. Plan is to camp each night at the free hiker biker sites (C&O has many more choices than the GAP).

Last time I did a camping trip, I took a 30 year old, traditional two man pup tent and realized immediately that this was on the heavy side. The tent weight was just too much for bikepacking. I fought with the weight and completed the trip, but vowed to upgrade the tent the next time I camped.

That got me thinking about ultralite tents. While researching these, I kept coming across people suggesting bivvy bags. Both sound like they could work for me and the range of prices all seem to be the same scale based on quality.

I'm mostly concerned about rain and how they hold up when it comes down. Also, is not being able to sit up in a bivvy bag too much of a hassle?

Does anyone have any thoughts on either and what's worked for you in the past? I'm leaning towards Ultralite tent but am intrigued by a bivvy bag.

John

I've had the same conversation with myself after the first time I biked with a heavier tent!

I upgraded everything to fit what I desired/looking for. But keep in mind, this is what I prefer.

I got an REI Passage 2 tent (two-man, but really 1 plus space) weighing about 4 pounds. There are lighter 2 mans out there but this had what I was looking for. Just this tent alone saved me 6+ pounds from my last one. I prefer tents instead of bivvy bags because I like to bring my panniers inside at night and keep them by me. I'm just paranoid. But also I can rearrange stuff inside if I need to, especially if it's raining.

Depending on the weather, if its warm enough I'll just take a sleeping bag liner and leave my bag at home. But, if I go early spring, I have a Kelty bag that is less than 2 pounds.

With my Big Agnes sleeping pad, all told, my camping gear adds up to less than 14 pounds. You could do better but my setup works for me.

The tent I use is Six Moon Designs Trekker, it weighs 28 oz. when I’m on the AT in the summer I carry my Warbonnet hammock so I don’t have to find a flat spot which is difficult at some of the shelters. The tent has plenty of room to get gear out of the weather

I carry a 1-man, relatively light weight (4.5 lbs) tent in my handlebar bag on self supported trips such as the GAP/C&O. (I have a 2-man tent (5.5 lbs) by the same manufacturer for supported tours where the extra room is nice and I don't have to carry it on my bike.) With both a netted inner tent with floor and outer flysheet, it provides both rain and bug protection. It also allows me to sit up, change clothes and pack most of my gear if it is raining. I've considered lightening my load by only taking the fly sheet which would protect me from the rain. However, I am not anxious to travel the C&O in the summer without the barrier to the bugs.

While I have not used a bivvy bag per se', I have used a low profile, light weight biv tent. I abandoned it and elected to carry the extra pound or two of my 1-man tent so I could sit up. You are welcome to try it out if you'd like. Its not quite as light as a biv bag alone but it will keep you dry and bug free.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I’m gonna go with an ultra lite tent. One man if it has a bit of space or two man if it’s more like “1 plus space”. I think it comes down to being able to sit up, read, and also be able to rearrange things inside a tent. I like that as a refuge. As Arminius said, I like to bring bags into my tent at night (or at least some of it).

I feel like a bivvy bag is too constricting for me and offers no wiggle room to do anything other than sliding in and sleeping. Plus I always get dressed for the day in the tent. ;/)

John

Have you thought about using a hammock? My cycling buddy convinced me to use one before we did the C&O/GAP from DC-to-Pitt last year, and I'll never go back. I used an ENO hammock, blanket, and mosquito net. Had a rain cover, but didn't need it, since two of the three nights we hung the hammocks in shelters. The hammock, straps, and two covers only took up about 1/3 of my Ortlieb saddle bag.

Hammock = 16 oz
Bug net = 9 oz
Rain cover = 22 oz
XL straps = 13 oz

Blanket (or small bag) of your choice.

I find regular hammocks too confining as I sleep on my stomach or side. Anyone out there used a bridge hammock?

Where do we park if we use the camping facilities at Calico Rocks.

There is no parking immediately adjacent to the Calico Rocks camp site itself. There is a parking area at the boat launch in Point of Rocks. From there you would have to hike/ride to the camp site. There is also a large commuter Park-N-Ride lot on the north side of the railroad at Point of Rocks. While it might appear to be closer to that camp site, you would have to walk along and cross the RR tracks to get to the campsite itself.

In general there is no parking immediately adjacent to the hiker/biker camp sites along the C&O Towpath.

Are there any women on here who have completed a through ride solo? I'm heading out this spring and would love to hear some inspirational stories.

Not sure if my last message went through but I would try Crazy Guy on a Bike for forums/journals. YouTube for videos, just type in GAP/C&O. Also the Great Allegheny Passage web page has a section called Trail Info and under that is Trip Reports with journals or videos. Good luck!

We are planning on riding from Cumberland to Washington D.C. using touring bikes. We will starting on May 20th. What is the general condition of the towpath concerning the surface (mud or soft areas)?

Without being flippant, if you can identify what the weather will be on May 17, 18 and 19 before you depart, one could perhaps provide a reasonable estimate of the conditions along the trail. If it has rained a lot in those preceding days, you can expect a fair amount of mud and puddles. My experience is that the trail conditions are worst after rain between Cumberland and Paw Paw with trail conditions generally better as you approach DC. In those muddy sections, you may likely incur lots of mud under the fenders albeit better there than on your back side.?? Other forum members may have a different opinion especially those local to various sections along the way.i

If you have not reviewed earlier forum posts, you should read those pertaining to the washout beyond Brunswick, MD to determine how you wish to deal with that damage to the trail. It may affect your plans.

Thanks-Sounds like the first leg of the trip could be a mud-slog if there is some rain. We have made the C&O a part of a few vacations, but have never biked the whole way and those visits were a few years back. We know there have been improvements and weren't sure how many. I am wavering between "just going for it" and "wimping-out" by biking from a couple of towns along the way.

Just arrived in Cumberland from DC today. I didn’t see any “improvements” on the towpath from Harpers Ferry. The trail showed all the signs of spring rains but I’ve seen worse.

Suggestions for getting from the bike trail to visit Fallingwater needed. No Uber, Lyft or taxi service offered from what I see and I remember the location as being way up a hill. I dislike steep hills!

Hi everyone - I’m planning my first trip on the C&O in late spring and I’ve got a question.

How do you deal with your trash while you’re packing it out? In two senses:
1. How do you store it on your bike until you can dispose of it?
2. Where do you dispose of it?

I’m hoping to stick to the path as much as possible and go “unsupported” but town visits...but my guess is that’s not possible when dealing with trash.

Any advice?

Pack in, pack out. There will likely be no trash cans along the trail at campgrounds (to deter wildlife). Just bring some old shopping bags with you and put your trash in there and stuff it in your panniers while you ride. When you hit a town, find a trash can and get rid of it. That’s how I do it.

I concur with John’s response. That said, with some planning you can try to minimize the amount of noncombustible waste you take onto the C&O. Note, you can burn combustible material with your campfires in the fire rings in the hiker/biker camp sites.

Pack it out is the only option....I had a cargo net for my rear rack that I was able to secure a bag under until I found a trash can.

Does anyone know of a shuttle service at Leesburg, VA., once you come off the ferry to Leesburg? We are staying at an Air B&B, so I'm not sure how we will get into town.

There’s no shuttle. Once I had a friend nearby pick me up and take me to downtown Leesburg. The second time I just rode down 15 into town. The cars move fast on 15 but there’s a decent sized shoulder and I didn’t feel unsafe. It’s not a long ride into town.

How many miles would you say it is to Leesburg on 15?

try Uber or Lyft and request a large vehicle.

Its about 3 miles from the intersection of White’s Ferry Rd and Hwy 15 and downtown Leesburg. While there indeed a shoulder about 2 miles of that, the shoulder stops as you approach downtown. There are sidewalks for most of that distance if you don’t want to ride on the street.

Thank you for the helpful information.

I passed through White's Ferry and Leesburg biking Pittsburgh to DC last July. Leesburg is bigger and busier than the other towns on/near the C&O. The auto traffic is heavier and faster. If it were me, I'd look for a way to avoid biking those two miles.

If you stay at a Leesburg motel, they may have a shuttle that can carry you between the ferry stop and the motel.

About 4 years ago 1 of the chain motels like Days Inn, etc offered a shuttle. We called and the driver was there within 30 min. Darn, I can't remember the motel name. They didn't really advertise. We asked.

The ride from White's Ferry into Leesburg isn't bad at all. As previous commenters said, the shoulder is very wide on 15. I've never felt nervous. Once you get to Leesburg I'd take 15 into town instead of the bypass as the traffic could get pretty hairy.

If riding the entire length of both trails, which direction do you prefer, DC to Pit, or Pit to DC … and why ...

See responses to recent same question on this forum.