C&O / GAP Forum

Has anyone spent the night at the HI Washington, DC? Just wondered how secure their bicycle storage is.

I was waiting for someone else to respond as I have not stayed there but thus far no one has. A web site describing their services indicates that "bike parking" is available but does not elaborate. Why not just give them a call and inquire as to where and what security may be provided in that bike parking area.

I'm hoping to ride to DC within the next month and would be staying near that hostel, I'f so, I'll attempt to stop by there and see what that parking area consists of. If I get any further info and no one else has responded, I'll post a future comment.

Thanks Rivnuts. I talked to the front desk and was told that bikes can be left on the back patio or locked in a storage room. I'll be there one day next week and will do a report.

I spent the night at the HI Washington, DC last week so I can now answer my original question. Bike storage is out on the patio which has walls on 3 sides and a tall fence on the fourth side. I locked my bike to the railing behind the stair well and removed the front tire. I could have also locked the bike inside a wooden shed located on the patio. I felt like it was a safe place to leave a bike overnight.

The hostel itself was nice and the staff was friendly. I would definitely stay there again.

Taking the family and some friends on their first hiking trip. Roughly 70 Mike's on the C&O and I am stoked to have 10 of the closest people on this beautiful hike. Spent a small fortune getting good quality gear for my four but it will be so worth it. Anyone going to be in the area between the 15th and 22 of June?

Taking Boy Scouts from Cumberland to DC. What campsites along the trail can our support vehicle and trailer park and get to us. Trying to keep the gear with the trailer instead of hauling it on the bicycles. campsites that have showers would definitely be a bonus.
Thank you

Here is a decent listing but I am not sure about a support vehicle authorized to park overnight on the following suggestions: But FIRST you must visit the NPS (National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/conditions.htm . The reason is there is a critical part of the trail closed and no real option to detour. The sight suggests a shuttle between Brunswick and Point of Rocks. Biking is NOT an option on the road and the site states that. Too dangerous. You may also be able to find a copy of the C&O Map that provides the same info that follows. Also Google Maps zooming down , you can see campsites near the road. One, I know that none of the C&O Campsites on the actual trail have showers but they have a well and pump and I use that to bath.
So out of Cumberland, approx 30 miles is Paw Paw Tunnel (under repairs) but a flagger will let you pass at designated times (see website NPS) If the troop can go further (mile marker 140) there is Fifteen Mile Creek (there is a parking area for the boat ramp next to camping. next one is at mile marker 118 or so and there is a campground at HISTORIC Fort Frederick State Park. Or just a 3 miles away is McCoys Ferry campsite with parking but not sure about overnight. Call the park services (NPS) then one campsite for a fee for the vehicle is Antietam at mile marker approx 68 and near the infamous Antietam Civil War battlefield National park.Then in Harpers Ferry are two sites (Potomac campground and a HI Hostel/campground. then Nolands Ferry (mile 43 or so) and Swains Lock is a large campground (C&O Canal campground) no fee but not sure about overnight parking allowed. All the campgrounds on the C&O have portapottie and well and fire pits and a table. Good luck *Note strongly recommend accessing the Western Rail Trail parallel to the C&O for 22 miles and goes through Hancock, MD (It is paved and senic and there are services noted on the trail signs)

None of the hiker-biker camp sites have showers. Non of them as remember have parking close to the hiker biker camp sites.

James -

We did this with a troop a few years back. We had the same set up. Two cars, one with trailer. The drivers would drive ahead, then ride north to meet the group.

Cumberland. Park under the overpass.
Paw Paw. $20/site. Plenty of parking
??? $20/site Can not remember the name. Parking across canal.
Brunswick Family Campground - We rented a Pavilion
Swains Lock

Rode into DC, rode down the mall and then went to Jefferson Mem, behind it we found the trail that goes across 14th street bridge. Got on the Mt. Vernon trail, South, and went to the Gravely Point parking lot. Plenty of room and did not require driving in Downtown DC traffic with the trailer.

You will need to figure out the shuttle around the outage. Maybe shuttle from Brunswick to Point of Rocks. Is there camping at Point of Rocks?

Remember, Google Maps is your friend.

Gary

James -

Just remembered we stayed another night south of Hancock. Was able to drive right up to the campsites.

Gary

thank you for the updates. I am continuing to research spots where we can get a support vehicle parked by a campsites. if anyone can think of additional spots. i'll be checking back often. i appreciate it.

Wayne, thank you for the heads up on the trail being closed. I will be sure to check out the park service for the details.

Go check out Facebook page Great Allegheny Passage/C&O Canal enthusiasts page. People are posting daily about the various washouts, waterlevwls, detours, and downed trees. The Canal is always an adventure. This year mother nature seems bent on making that point clear.

Please Consider sending this letter edited appropriately.


NOTE: Please address and send all Letters to Kevin D. Brandt, Superintendent, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP at the following address or emailed to ben_helwig@nps.gov All letters must be received in the mail or electronically by COB May 13, 2019.
Kevin D. Brandt, Superintendent
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Dear Superintendent Brandt:
__________(Municipality/Individual/Organization) is/am is writing to express support of the C&O Canal National Historical Park’s “Phase III, Towpath Rehabilitation: A Safe Towpath” project being submitted for consideration for a grant through the Maryland Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) in 2019. Please include this letter in the application package, whereby we also request favorable consideration of this project by the team assessing TAP proposals.
We truly believe that repairs to the towpath will bring tangible benefits to our communities, as well as a safer and improved experience for park visitors.
Local businesses are already reaping the economic benefit of the increase in park attendance since the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail to Pittsburgh. Attendance topped 5 million for the first time in 2014, and in 2017, park visitors spent an estimated $89.5 million in local gateway regions around the C&O Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP).
This year’s project is phase three of a five-phase program to address the worst portions of the canal towpath and create a world-class riding and hiking surface for our visitors. TAP funding will continue to match the $5 million the C&O Canal NHP has requested for this program over five years.
We believe the State of Maryland would benefit considerably from the many Marylanders and the out of state hikers/bikers that enjoy the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
__________(Municipality/Individual/Organization) fully supports the TAP application being made by the park, and urges favorable consideration by the TAP assessment team for the proposed Towpath Rehabilitation project.

The National Weather Service has a water level flood gage on the Potomac River at Little Falls, results of which can be seen online.
The current water level is shown to be 4.4 ft. which is pretty low and nowhere near flood stage.
Does anyone know if we can reliably predict the water level at the creek at the Brunswick culvert washout by looking at this information online? This might allow us to have a good idea if that creek is safely crossable before physically looking at it.
Being that they are only about 45 miles apart, it seems there may be some correlation between water levels at each location. I am trying to avoid a situation where I get there and the water level is too high to cross and I am tempted to do something stupid either by crossing in dangerous water or even more stupid (and unlawful), playing chicken with the trains.

No way of really telling that I’m aware of. You could email the staff at the Canal HQ? The rangers are likely just going to suggest that you take a shuttle I would guess (being on the safe side) but they might know the water level.

The day we were there (and crossed the creek) the water was low. We had to take all of our bags off the bikes, carry the bikes over the creek, then go back across the creek to collect our bags, go back over, then reassemble. Also know that the rocks are really slippery so I went slowly, step by step, rock to rock. It was a lot of work to get everything across but we made it. We lucked out because it was relatively dry compared to the rest of the season last year. Money saved as we were determined to not take the shuttle.

Good luck!

Check out google maps for a detour on the VA side. I am starting in Cumberland next Thursday and my plan is to try and ask any riders coming from D.C. how bad the washout was. If bad, I plan to detour via RT 287 bridge and back roads to the RT 15 bridge at Point of Rocks.

As long as you are on Rt287 coming out of Brunswick, why not continue on 287 for 14 miles and pick up the Washington and Old Dominion Trail outside of Purcelville,VA.

Then ride the WOD to DC.

Wildly: How is the ride on Rt 287 to the WOD with a loaded bike? Is there a wide shoulder? How about traffic? I've not ridden the northern end of the WOD and was considering doing so in the next few weeks in route to DC. Is there any place to pitch a tent around Purcelville or Leesburg?

I biked up to the washout last week and levels were low.
However, we just had a ton of rain this week. So it won't be fun to get across now - the river was significantly higher when I was on the trail today. At least a foot and half higher than it was last week.
Also, I would recommend not biking on route 15 if you can avoid it. It is a very dangerous highway.
If you can get a ride from Brunswick to Lander Road, I would recommend that instead - you'd be much safer. And it's only a few miles that you'd not be doing.
Be safe everyone and hope to see some of you out there!

Hi I am a big guy so I have a large bike and want to take it on the train to DC then ride back. Will the Capital Limited handle a 29ER with 2.0 tires? How high is the ceiling in these trains. I am 6'5"? Thanks

Amtrack says 2” or narrower tires. I am 6’5” and did the trip last year. Took my 60 cm Disc Trucker and had plenty of room. Left my ECR at home because of the 3” tires.

Thanks Zen-B. The height of the bicycle is what I am very concerned about. With the extra large frame I have and 29" wheels it is 74" long. Your Disc Trucker has 26' wheel so that is 6" shorter. I can let out some air of the tire to make it fit the 2.0 for tire width, but how high are the ceilings. This the only bike I have so will this work or what can I do to make this work. (anyone know for sure).

I took a 29er large frame on last fall and 2.3 wide tires. No problems.

Thanks Kubotaki, That's exactly what I needed to hear.

We plan to stay in Crystal City, VA before starting our C&O GAP ride. I am looking for the best/safest way to get to the C&O trail-head. I am not familiar with the area and hope someone has some good advice.

It has been a few years but as I remember...
Mt. Vernon Trail
14th Street Bridge
Rock Creek Trail

Thanks, I was not sure of the safest bridges to ride across. I was looking up further at the Arlington Memorial Bridge, so I am glad I asked.

I've ridden across both the Theodore Roosevelt and Francis Scott Key Bridges to get from the Mount Vernon trail to the DC side of the Potomac River in route to/from the C&O Canal Trail. Both have sidewalks across those bridges to avoid having to ride "on street". That said, there is some street riding to do once you get across the bridges.

I was just there. If you go over Arlington bridge, then pick up the rock creek trail to the left. Turn into the marina/water front and follow the the walkway next to Potomac. Then follow signs for crescent trail. C&O is parallel to the right. It’s confusing right there because of construction. Maps look like you can get on the C&O there after waterfront, but you can only get to crescent trail.

I am interested in doing the GAP and C&O from Pittsburgh to DC. A friend wants to go from DC to Pittsburgh. All the travel sights go the other way. Are there any pitfalls or concerns about going DC to Pittsburgh? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Going from Washington to Pittsburgh means that is a slight incline from Washington to Cumberland and also a bigger climb from Cumberland to Pittsburgh. Plus the end at Pittsburgh is boring and if you need interesting sights to keep you going at the end then I would prefer to end at Washington.

OMG!!!!!What are you talking about in that the end ride in Pittsburgh is boring. Do you have bad eye site and not look around while you ride? If you ride the C&O to look at history then you will also enjoy the GAP. The trip in either direction is great. There is so much to see in Pittsburgh on the ride in. I am not going get in an argument with anybody because you have your opinion and I have mine. But be real about your comments or just add "in my opinion". :)

Go to the Forum article "East to West?" on Page 5 published earlier here that provides several good comparisons of riding for 9Pittsburgh to DC or vice versa.

Great idea!

Are you kidding me about how "boring" it is to end at Pittsburgh? The Point fountain and views of the city are spectacular. Coming into D C on the canal you are looking at the backs of buildings amd it just ends at deck of Georgetown U

Guess everyone has their preferences and apparently I am in the minority so there you go, Pittsburgh is NOT boring! So gwt off my case people.:)

I prefer the 3 hour uphill struggle to the Eastern Cont. Divide from Cumberland then 1.5 days Constant uphill. Done both, enjoyed both. My opinion.

I liked Pitt to DC. The ride from cont divide down to Cumberland is a lot of fun. Minimal effort.

I just finished doing the GAP trail on April 24, 2019 from Frostburg to Pittsburgh and here is some current info:

Most people go from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, I chose the other way for a few reasons. Once you get past the Continental Divide around MP 23, it's mostly downhill to Pittsburgh. I'm an older biker so I got a shuttle from one of the Cumberland Bike shops up to Frostburg (MP 15), the major part of the climb to 2392 feet. I stayed at the Trailside Inn. You can camp, stay in the hostel or rent a room. The folks at the Inn offer a cheaper shuttle service and can either pick you up in Cumberland and take you up the hill or just shuttle your gear to make the climb easier.

Parking in Cumberland is easy. There's a long-term lot for free just next to the Visitor's center downtown.

Getting back was simpler. Enterprise rental car has an office in downtown Pittsburgh and Cumberland. For less than $100, you can rent an SUV one-way that easily fit my bike and gear. They have larger cars and pick-ups for more than one bike (no bike racks). The office in Pittsburgh is on 11th street and easily accessible by bike. When you reach the end of the GAP trail in Point State Park, continue around the point along the bike path/walkway and in about a half mile there's a large pedestrian ramp to the right under the David Lawrence Convention Center. Go up to Penn Avenue, take a left onto a designated bike lane and go one block to the Grant Street Transportation Center. Enterprise has on office right there. It was very easy. The office in Cumberland is a few miles from downtown. I got there after closing. After unloading gear into my car in Cumberland, I was able to drop off the rental car (they have an after hours dropbox for the keys)and take a taxi back.

Notes on camping:

Husky Haven Campground in Rockwood isn't on a lot of GAP sites but it's a great place to stay.

The Outflow campground in Confluence no longer accepts walk-ups, you have to reserve the site through recreation.gov online or by phone (877) 444-6777. The number listed on the GAP trail camping list goes to the Ranger station.

The hiker/biker campground in Connellsville is right next to town, there's lots of traffic and noise. The KOA campground about two miles north was a lot quieter and had showers.

I just passed them by, but the Roundbottom, Cedar Creek and Dravo's Landing hiker/biker sites looked like really nice places to camp.

The GAP is a great ride, enjoy!

Bill|

We crossed paths at the Pumphouse in Homestead. Glad to hear you found your way to and around the Point to get to the Enterpise office downtown. I presume you, indeed, made it there in plenty of time.

Thanks for the info about no longer taking walkins at the Confluence camping area. It wasn't that way when I last stayed.

The Rond Bottom, Cedar Creek Park and Dravo Landing camping areas are indeed nice camping areas. That said you'll hear the trains along the other side of the river throughout the night at all of them not unlike at the Husky Haven campground in Rockwood.

Thanks to your directions I made it in plenty of time! Hope to cross paths again, Bill

Is this area available for long term parking while I ride to Pittsburgh and back?

For those that have stayed at the Super 8, can I ask how easy it is to get there from the C&O trail? Are there any busy roads to negotiate? I don't mind a bit of extra distance, if we don't have to negotiate busy roads. Appreciate your comments...thanks!

It is just a short way off the trail. The one bike shop that is right there on the trail, has spartan accomodations but reasonable prices and hot showers.

I stayed there three years ago. The Super 8 is, maybe, 1/2 mile off the trail. The road to it is the effective Main Street of Hancock but is pretty wide and, as I recall, has s shoulder to ride on. You just need to keep your eyes open and don't do anything foolish in route. The last few yards to the motel off the main road is slightly uphill but no big deal. I know of no other ways to get there. You could walk your bikes there from the trail in just a few minutes if riding on the road is not your cup of tea.

The rooms there were old and small but clean (cleaner than I was when arriving from Paw Paw all day in the rain). The breakfast was more limited than most as I recall with pastries, cereal and, of course, coffee. I'd stay there again, if not at the "chicken coops" at the bike shop. Then again, you don't have any other options that I am aware of.

I would recommend stopping at Weaver's Restaurant in Hancock for a meal or at least a piece of pie.

I have stayed in the “chicken coop “ at the bike shop several times. It’s a great way to meet other cyclists. You get what you pay for, but that’s part of the adventure of cycling the C&O or any other tour.

I was wondering if the trail was all paved or is some parts of the trail gravel or something else?

Literally speaking there is virtually no paving on the GAP Trail and C&O Canal Towpath Trail in Maryland between the Mason Dixon Line and Washington, DC. There is perhaps a couple of miles of pavement approaching Cumberland from the north.

That said there are two sections of trails that parallel the Towpath itself that are paved. These are the Western Maryland Rail Trail and the Capital Crescent Trail. The former is about 22 miles long (approximately 11 miles on either side of Hancock, MD) and the latter is about the last 3 miles into DC.

There is a, maybe, a couple of miles of paving near Big Pool where the original Towpath was washed out and a causeway constructed as a permanent repair.

All the remainder is crushed stone or compacted earth with roots and small gravel/rocks in route.

Correction: That causeway is between Williamsport and Sharpsburg beginning around Cedar Grove as you head south.

I believe all of the big slackwater section is concrete due to a washout some decades ago. I believe that section is about 3 miles. Other than that if you are on the towpath, you are either on dirt or compacted cinders.