C&O / GAP Forum

Was planning on heading through on bike next week, does anyone have any info on the current conditions on the towpath? A bit concerned with Florence visiting nearby.

I’ve been closely watching it for my trip coming up. It seems to me that most of the storm’s impact with be south and miss the path.

I live in Pittsburgh and just watched the local weather. They are saying it will reach the Western PA area Mon. and Tues. By looking at the current projected path it could stay west and south of the C & O Towpath. Of course hurricanes are unpredictable. So bring rain gear and be prepared to be flexible.

We rode from Harper’s Ferry to Williamsport and I have never seen such mud. Might be okay with mountain bikes but we had touring bikes with wider tires. Mud kept getting caked in the fenders. Not fun!

Any updates on Conditions? I’m leaving from DC to Pittsburgh on the 8th self supported. Planning to arrive in Pittsburgh on the 12th. Hoping Mother Nature will cooperate.

Much of the towpath is is good shape but the section from beyond Shepardstown to just outside of Williamsport is darned near unridable. Certainly if you are loaded and planning a multi day tour I wouldn’t do it unless you are really experiened young and very fit

FYI breakfast was not until 8:30 so not so good if you want an early start.

Hi- I am currently hiking the Appalachian Trail and will be arriving in Harpers Ferry in a few days. Rather than taking Amtrak to Washington I am thinking about hiking the towpath instead. I know the towpath has been under water due to recent flooding around Harpers Ferry and down river

Does anyone know the current condition of the towpath between HF and Washington? I'm not concerned about surface mud or debris, mainly any wash outs or closures. Any info on the condition of the camps would also be helpful.

thanks

Milepost 1–25
Including Georgetown, Washington D.C.; Bethesda, MD; Potomac, MD; Seneca, MD

Georgetown Locks 3 and 4 (MP 1)
Towpath Closed, Towpath detour between 30th Street and Thomas Jefferson Street in Georgetown. The surrounding area will be closed for construction. For more information
Lock 7 (MP 7)
Local detour
Rock Run (MP 8.8)
Towpath Closed, Find a detour over bridges at Lock 10 and 11, and a temporary bypass trail for approximately 0.2 miles between mileposts 8.8 to 9.0.

Billy Goat Trail (MP 9.9)
Closed, Section A
Closed, Section B
Open, Section C
Great Falls Tavern Area (MP 14)
Open, Olmsted Island and Olmsted Trail out to the Great Falls Overlook.
Open, Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Closed, River Trail
Towpath Closed, Due to construction, please use the marked towpath detour at Great Falls upstream of Lock 20. For more information.
Bridge Closed, Lock 19, Due to construction, please use the upstream bridge at Lock 20. For more information.
Closed, Mule-drawn boat rides. Boat rides resume in 2019 For more.

Milepost 25–50
Including Poolesville, MD; Whites Ferry, MD; Dickerson, MD; Point of Rocks, MD
Monocacy Aqueduct Boat Ramp (MP 42)
Closed, due to flooding, this area is closed until further notice.

How are the conditions on the GAP Trail from Pittsburgh thru to Cumberland today?

We just got off the GAP and C&O. There were not any trees down or mud slides. The GAP surface was good despite 3 days of rain. The GAP is a well drained RR bed and the surface was great. The towpath was made for mules and when this soil get wet it turns to mud. Cumberland to Little Orleans had many puddles and sections of mud caused by puddles. We took the paved Maryland trail from Little Orleans and 13 miles of highway to Williamsport. From there we shuttled over to the Old Dominion trail. I think this was a good route because we heard of the deep mud and flooded sections of towpath. Contact 2WheelEscapes for shuttles. They will give you honest info on trail condition. Had a great time and will come back after a very dry summer.

I’m riding the C&O GAP trail starting in Georgetown on Oct 8. I’ll be traveling to DC from Atlanta to Union Station. Is there a camping supply store nearby where I could buy the little butane/propane canisters that go on an MSR pocket rocket camp stove? How about between Georgetown and Shepardstown WV?

There’s an REI a mile away on 2nd & M. How are you shipping your bike?

REI supposedly carries those. There is an REI about six blocks north of Union Station. That's in the wrong direction from where you want to go. I think that's the only sure place between Union Station and perhaps Ohiopyle. The C&O Canal is pretty barren.

REI in Washington and Harper’s Ferry has camping/hiking stores

I’ll be coming on Amtrak. Thinking about smuggling a canister in my panniers on the train n

Call me old-fashioned, but if it is something you are instructed not to carry on a train, you should not carry it on the train. In this day and age law enforcement etc is alert to bad actors and you could be mistaken for one if you have a gas cannister in your bag. Perhaps you don't watch the news. There are people who are into setting off bombs in train stations. Just drop in an REI at your destination and pick one up there.

The REI is very close to Union Station, only a 10 minute walk and less than 5 min on bike. Easy option. Yes it's the wrong direction but not far enough away for that to make a difference.

Thanks to all for the info. Of course you are right that bringing a fuel canister on board is a bad idea born out of frustration over not knowing how I was going to get fuel for the first day. Now that issue is resolved. Hopefully REI will let me bring my loaded bike indoors and can make it a quick stop.

Fantastic deli! There is also a little Italian Restaurant across the street. Great pasta, pizza and salads!

Sad to report that the Anthony’s Jr. the Italian Restaurant across the street is CLOSED. The Deli at Liberty is still going strong and cooking up a good breakfast too!

Anthony's was delicious. It stinks that they are closed. I always would get off the trail at Paw Paw for a big plate of their spaghetti and meatballs. Plus, I kind of liked hanging out in town and talking with some of the friendly locals. Since this place has closed, we usually just ride on by now. There isn't much of anything else in town to warrant a detour off of the trail to see.

I will be riding my bike through this fall and is the Liberty still open? Any other places to eat in town/area?

The Liberty was open this past July. My daughter and I had a late lunch there. As mentioned above, it isn't a destination, but for food and drink, it works.

Thanks!!

Has anyone stayed here? If so, what was your experience?

Sorry this is so late. But I stayed there in 2016. Great experience! Owner is a canal steward and wonderful host! I plan to stay again.

Nothing fancy, but Dan makes a great host, and a better breakfast.

We just completed the C&O and Gap on July 21st. Couldn't find lodging in Paw Paw so stayed in Little Orleans at the Hilltop Inn. 6 miles of the trail but they have a great shuttle service. By far the highlight of our trip. Don't miss this place!

I stayed at Three Otters in that area. They will canoe you from the path across the river to their property and back. They were very friendly and accommodating. www.threeotters.com

6/6/18
HEY Dan wanted to give you shout out after peddling from Cumberland to paw paw we stopped. all the camping areas mostly closed stopped at BIKEPATH bed and bath I've met a lot fine folks over my 65yrs but this guy was great. had to detour to 84marker he transported us last thing he told me was the adventure starts here he was spot on 2hrs to go 2 miles trail covered with 4" of muck and downed trees 5hrs to Sheppards town something my granddaughter will always remember. I'm sure to go back soon thanks Mr.Dan
R&S
2fast3

Starting in Pittsburgh on oct 6 was looking for a place to have a vechicle in DC for when we finish on the 11th

Just curious if anyone has used BikeFlights before and can offer up opinions on their service? I'm thinking of using them instead of FedEx. Thank you!

I use them all the time. They’re great!

I took my own bike from Australia on the plane to NY. Amtrak down to DC. Greyhound bus to Pittsburgh. I had it in a bike box all the way. I used bike packing saddle bag at rear, a frame bag and a handlebar bag. This works if you’re not carrying too much. Good luck!

Awesome! Thanks for your input!!

Bike flights is a good way to go. But they don't ship on weekends or holidays. You have to figure that in when scheduling.

Have used them several times and have always saved many $$$ over what FedEx would have charged. You just print out the prepaid online labels and pack them up. I've dropped them off at FedEx offices for shipping, no hassle at all. Did 5 bikes at one time once. Great company.

Awesome! Thanks Steve!

Shipbikes.com is similar to BikeFlights as a reseller for Fedex. Used them to ship my bike home from Chicago at the end of a tour. Door-to-door residential pickup and delivery was less expensive than rates quoted directly from Fedex.

Lodging is listed for Seneca. Could you provide name and contact information? I can’t seem to find lodging there. Thanks

There is a free hiker biker campsite at mile marker 26. Also, you can stay in Lockhouse 22...go to canaltrust.org and you should find more information there. All of the lock houses available to stay in are designed in different time periods so you’ll definitely want to make sure it has the amenities you are looking for. We stayed in Lockhouse 10 and it was really a fantastic end to our ride from Pittsburgh.

Hi, I'm looking at flying out and riding from Pittsburgh to DC, maybe as early as this Thursday. I fly space available so I often just need to wing it and not have detailed plans if flights have a bunch of open seats. I have a folding Dahon set up for touring and all supplies and camping gear ready to go. Is it going to be a problem to find camping along the way if I just show up in Pittsburgh at the airport and ride to the trail or trailhead and just head out? I'm figuring 40-50 mile days. Is it difficult to ride from the airport to the trail?
Thanks!

Not sure about the ride from the airport to the trail, but I'm sure if you search the forum you could find a post about that. As for camping...campsites are not as prominent on the GAP as they are on the C&O. We stayed at Cedar Creek which is a free campsite right on the trail, approx 40 miles from Pittsburgh. Once you reach the C&O, free hiker biker sites are available every 5-7 or so miles. I don't see you having any problem--enjoy your trip!

If you see heavy Grafitti near a Camp Site or close to it, move on to the next Camp Site further out. I wouldn't camp solo near a road juncture (unless there is a group of Campers sharing the same Camp Site). Never know who might show up in the middle of the night. Just sayin.

All good advice that also applies just about anywhere, thanks!

The campsite that fits your 40-50 mile destination on your first day from the airport is the Gill Hall campsite near mile 46 on the Mountour trail.
https://montourtrail.org/plan-a-visit/camping/
Here is a map of the Mountour trail
https://montourtrail.org/plan-a-visit/map/

We are leaving Pittsburgh end of Sept, taking our time to DC. What are options for unforeseen mechanical or bodily breakdowns? I can fix minor issues but if something major occurs are there local folks who will help out in a pinch? (with compensation of course) Thanks!

If you are near Hancock MD go to the C&O Bicycle shop which is located directly at the trailhead, right next to the canal. I had a serious mechanical breakdown last fall, and these guys did a complete rebuild of my main bearings for $40. Within 45 minutes of me getting to their shop I was back on the trail. They also sell trail-type foods and supplies and have a very reasonable bunkhouse if you need to stay overnight. They really got me out of a jam & I stop by every time I'm through there. Very honest & reasonable. Just great people.

Thanks! We will be staying one night in Hancock. Hopefully we won't NEED their services!

Planning a solo bike trip from DC to Pgh in late September. Will be camping 3 nights along the C & O and was wondering if anyone could give me their overall impression of the overnight safeness of the trail campsites, Chisel/Horseshoe Bend/Big Woods in particular.

Leaving Pittsburg on September 30th headed for Washington DC! Will take 8-10 days getting there, no plans to rush. My ride will actually end in Baltimore since my flight home is out of BWI. Plan to do short days, 40-50 miles. I'll be hammock camping along the way. If you see me feel free to say hi! I'll blog about the ride on my Instagram at Portland_2_Portland

We may see you on the trail! Leaving Pittsburgh 9/29 by way of Montour trail. Going very very slow, taking time to explore this part of the country. Coming from Oregon. Safe riding!

The accuracy of the mileage figures from different sources seem to be off, in some case significantly. For instance, I ran westward from Ramcat to Ohiopyle in June. The last mile marker I saw before reaching Ohiopyle was "71" and the trailhead was another 0.2 miles further, so, using my keen mathematical abilities, I put Ohiopyle at 71.2. Your info has it at 74, however. I'm not being nitpicky but since I'm running this, accurate mileage is nice to have. For instance, your town info for Connellsville has it at 88, which would mean 14 miles from Ohiopyle. However, the mileage figures posted on the actual signs on the GAP have that at 19 miles. Those 5 miles make a big difference on foot, at least for my old slow arse! Confusing things further, the mileage chart on the "official" GAP web site lists it at 17 miles. Anyway, thanks for any clarity you can provide. Perhaps the mile markers themselves aren't correct due to the opening of that one tunnel a few years back? And maybe I'm the only one who actually cares about any of this! BTW, I LOVE this site, the town info is awesome.

Thank you John for pointing this out. After going back through all my records and references, I can only conclude that the listing of Ohiopyle as MM 74 was an error. I have corrected this number to 71.2 throughout the website.

Having said that, there is some variance in the town mile number and they cannot be counted on for absolute precision, but they all should be accurate within a few tenths of a mile - like you said, not a big deal for cyclists but a bigger deal for someone on foot.

Thanks again for catching that, and I apologize for any trouble caused by that error.

Happy trails!

Is anyone familiar with a service that will haul my gear to campgrounds while I ride? Dont want the additional weight or hassle.