C&O / GAP Forum

Tne NPS C&O website is now reporting that the contractor-supplied shuttle around the Paw Paw Tunnel Bypass Trail has now been initiated. That website had previously been reporting that that shuttle would be initiated by late September.

More information about the Paw Paw Tunnel bypass can be found at that website.

Just wondering how long the tunnel will be closed. Planning a trip next June 2023

The NPS C&O website states that construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of the 2022/2023 winter. If so, your trip next June should find the Tunnel and it’s downriver exit open to ride through. Just keep an eye on that website and/or this forum for updates.

Just a heads up that the shuttle, which is a supped-up golf cart, has front and rear 'arm' bike racks (the type that go under your bike's top tube). I took it on 9/26 and my bike had a bag going under the top tube, so I had to throw it in the truck bed of the shuttle... luckily I was the only biker taking it up (towards Cumberland). I would imagine heavy ebikes might not be supported either. Hopefully they learn quickly and switch out the racks for 'support' styles that go under the bike's wheels (like on buses). Otherwise, it seemed to be a well-run operation.

JDH:

Thanks for that information as I am leaving to ride back to Pgh from DC next week with a full frame bag.among others. I may have to pack differently unless we hear they have indeed changed their rack style. What route did they take?

Rivnuts:

With a full frame bag, I think worse case scenario is that you just take it off when you get there. The shuttle supposedly only runs Mon-Friday 9-5 while operations are ongoing, and you aren't allowed to go on your own, as there is no shoulder to get past the dump trucks. So if you plan on getting there on the weekend or outside those hours, you can just lug your bike like others have done for months. I also wouldn't be surprised if they have come up with a work around, as many bikes would have been stymied by those racks. There is also a private shuttle that I am sure was mentioned on some other post you can coordinate with. Hope that helps.

I'll be doing this ride from Pittsburgh to DC. For those that have taken this shuttle, how long does it take? I know it supposedly runs every 30 minutes, but how long does it take once you're on the shuttle?

And where do they drop you off? Is it at the top where Tunnel Hill Trail (the bypass) intersects Tunnel Hill Rd? And how long does it take to descend?

I'm just trying to get a sense on the duration of this bypass. Without the shuttle service, NPS says it will take around 1.5-2.5hrs to do this 1.6-mile bypass on foot.

Thanks!

The shuttle is on the downriver side. It runs from the top down to where the tunnel bypass rejoins the Towpath for maybe 3/4 mile. Once you’ve boarded the shuttle it’s, perhaps 15 minutes, 30 minutes top. The time to walk up, over and back down is dependent on you level of fitness and the load on your bike. In my opinion, 1.5 to 2 hours would be a worst case scenario for an able-bodied cyclist to walk the entire detour. Others may have different experience.

Thanks for the information, Rivnuts!

Rivnuts, I saw this posting on Reddit: "Did the ride 2 weeks ago. Coming from DC they pick you up at the bottom and shuttle you to the top...then you have to push down about a mile of slightly sketchy single track. Coming from Pittsburgh you have to push up that mile of sketchy single track, then once up top they give you a ride back down the other side." Is this correct? Because on the map, I see that a road connects to the trail at the bottom at Oldtown Road and at the top at Tunnel Hill Road. So If I were riding from Pittsburgh to DC, wouldn't the shuttle take me up to the top? Or is there a temporary road that I'm not seeing on Google Maps where the shuttle runs?

One more question. I see that you created this route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37572392. I was planning to ride this while the other members of my party hopefully can take the shuttle up. So when you got to the top, did you walk down or bike down? It looks pretty steep, with grades maxing at 14.5%.

I have not taken the shuttle but did use the the same alternate route last summer. The map you linked to, coming from Pittsburgh, is what I rode in June. It is ridable, but quite steep in spots. I then rode down the detour back to the trail. The part that I rode down, the downstream side, is where they have the shuttle because they are hauling debris from the trail up to the road.

Maybe if you don't want to push up the detour or ride up the alternate route when coming from Pittsburgh, you could get an Uber from town to the top and take the shuttle down. If I was coming from DC, after the shuttle to the top I would just ride down the alternate route back to the trail.

Thanks, Andy. I definitely want to ride it up. I have others that are going with me who do not want to ride it up. They will, however, have someone give them a lift to the top. So I guess that means we either walk, bike, or take the shuttle down. I agree with you. If I were coming from DC, I would definitely ride down on the road. It's less steep and smooth. So I think the reason why I may be confused is there are two paths, right? One is a hiking trail "bypass" that you can see on the map, and the other one is the construction "detour" where the shuttle service operates?

Never mind, Andy. I found a different post, presumably from you form last year, where it mentions that the trail was widened for the detour, so I guess they are one and the same after all.

man910: Sorry for not replying sooner as I’ve been riding the OTET Trail. Travelling from Pgh toward DC you’re on your own getting up the hill. After you reach the top the shuttle will take you back down the other side. That downhill side is wider not as rugged as the uphill side allowing the shuttle to take you down. That downhill side has been used by the contractor’s vehicle and it’s been pretty badly torn up. Hence the shuttle.

To clarify, the uphill side has not been widened. It is narrow, rocky and rooted. If wet, it can be quite slick as well. If you can ride to the top, that would be very commendable. I’ve only seen a couple of young bucks try and I’m not sure if they made it all the way up or not.

No worries, Rivnuts. I'm referring to riding up to the shuttle using the route you laid out via roads. It doesn't look that steep. I hope your reference to the young bucks is via the trail.

I, myself, did not lay out that alternate road route to the top nor have I ridden it. My comment about any steepness and young bucks does indeed refer to the posted tunnel bypass route itself. Of course "steep" is a relative term and function of strength and fitness of which I have but a limited amount at my age.

I recently did the road bypass to the top from Pittsburgh to DC. Except for a very steep but short section at the end of Sulphur Spring Road, which is a dirt road, onto Oldtown Road, it wasn't bad at all. Oldtown Road itself has cars traveling at high speed, but you are only on it briefly, 0.11 miles. Once you get to Malcolm Road Southeast, it's paved without any cars (no double yellow lines), which made for good climbing. Then the final ascent on Tunnel Hill Road is dirt. Towards the end it gets a little bit steep, but not as steep as the section on Sulphur Spring Road. If I were going towards Pittsburgh, I would have ridden this way down instead of taking the official detour. It would have been more pleasant and faster.

I can also confirm Rivnut's post that the shuttle was not available on Tuesday during business hours. I guess they discontinued it. Luckily, it was dry, so I was able to ride down without any problems although it was unpleasant since I had to ride the brakes down all the way.

I only have a mountain bike, and am considering doing the DC - Harper's Ferry ride with my pre teen son, who also has a mountain bike. Assuming we stayed in a lockhouse/motel 1-2 nights, is it realistic to do 30 miles/day with additional panniers on mountain bikes? We easily do 25 mile rides now on them, so it would be a little bit to work up to, but I'm thinking the mountain bikes could be useful on the trail. We would pack light and only be bringing minimal clothing/layers and snacks. Ideally we'd do it in the fall, but would be it be crazy to do this in late October/early November? Many thanks in advance

You and your kid will be fine.
Don't overthink it.
A mountain bike might be even preferable on the C&O if you are riding after a rain.
A lot of through riders are doing 60 miles a day, so 30 miles should be well within your skillset.

Willy’s response was spot on.

Be advised: After rain, the DC side of the Paw Paw Tunnel detour can have SERIOUS mud. We were there Sat, May 6. No shuttle down because there was no work that day. Must have rained the previous day or 2. Real, sloppy mud on DC side. Not "muddy". Thick, sloppy mud. No thought of riding at all for much of that slope.

Today, a rider approaching Pittsburgh from DC told me that the contractor's shuttle on the downriver side of the Tunnel Bypass has been discontinued. They said the contractor's work at the top of the Tunnel Bypass is complete and thus he no longer operates the shuttle even though the trail itself is still closed.

They used Dan, the owner of the hostel in Paw Paw, to shuttle them around the closed section of the trail.

Any lodging suggestions near whites ferry, MD off the C&O

Nothing near Whites Ferry. Leesburg, VA used to be an easy ferry/bike ride over but the ferry is closed due to a land dispute and now there is no easy way over. You could call the hotels and ask if they will shuttle/come get you at US Rt. 15 (likely a fee). If you’re brave and have the legs for it, you could cross on your bike at US Rt. 15 but that’s like 12-13 miles to get to Leesburg. I’ve never ridden it but I understand it’s not the safest bridge or route (others in this forum might chime in with their experiences).

Otherwise try Brunswick, MD.

Good luck,
John

I have ridden portions of US Route 15 both north and south of State Rt 665. The latter was in route to hotels in Leesburg or to the WOD Trail before the ferry shutdown operations. While rideable, those sections are not for the faint of heart given the amount and speed of traffic.

I did briefly research Airbnb to see if there were any options, say, in Poolsville but none jumped out at me.

Visited on Monday, May 29, 2023. The store is a fire hazard, you can barely walk through it. I think the prices are too high. The owner was very disrespectful. He had a grabber tool that he reached out to my breast. He was very flirtatious and crude. Upon leaving the store, he told my best friend..."thanks for letting me enjoy looking at your warm body".

My buddy and I are going to ride from Pittsburgh to DC in 3 days.
But wanted to check in to see if others had done it in 3 days or what the normal timeframe is to complete the ride

Picturing Pitt to frostburg
Frostburg to Hancock
Hancock to dc.

But it sounds like Cumberland area will be a bit slower than the rest of the ride.

Thanks for the feedback.

Three days! Three consecutive centuries +. Quite ambitious for us mere mortals who typically take 5 to 7 days. Good luck. Let us know how you fared.

Wow, I’m always amazed humans can go so far, so fast! Me? That would take me 5-6 days.

The only thing that might slow you down is the surface. It’s great for riding of course but other than the first 18 or so miles out of Pittsburgh, it’s a crushed limestone surface on the GAP and mostly dirt paths on the C&O. They don’t roll as fast as asphalt. And if the C&O gets wet or it rained two days prior, you will encounter lots of puddles and mud.

Let us know how you got on and good luck!

I have a friend who does this regularly because he can't or doesn't want to take time off, so he does it during 3-day weekends. He's not a speedster or anything, but he rides into the night. He once had a flat, but had an issue with his pump that took him over an hour to repair. His bike lights ran out of juice, and it was so dark that he had to use his cell phone flashlight. The problem with that was it kept turning off when he went over bumps because to turn off the flashlight on his cell phone, you shake it. LOL He ended up riding until 2AM. He's been trying to get me to do it, but it doesn't sound enjoyable.

Thanks for the feedback. In my head I’m starting to think more like 4 days and hope the weather is nice and the gear works great so we can try to make it in 3. Super excited to finally do this ride after years of talking about doing it.

We biked the C&O May 5-9, to complete our 2022 PGH to DC tour that was cut short by 2 funerals.
Some comments on lodging:
PawPaw, WV: Bikepath B&B is the place for hospitality. Dan is a great host. Full of information and ready to help anyone. He is available for shuttles at a reasonable price, which is important as long as the Paw Paw tunnel is closed.
Williamsport: Bay Farm B&B: Up an easy hill. A little confusing finding the garage, etc, but a very nice place with very nice rooms. Large and varied supply of food for breakfast, but nothing hot except the coffee. No person on site. Pricy (we paid $180 + tax).
Harpers Ferry: Towns Inn. Nice rooms. Not fancy. VERY helpful and accommodating. Let us keep our property there while touring the town after checkout time. But you have to carry loaded bike up those stairs on the MD side.
Brunswick: Travelodge is the only place I can find. Up a significant hill no matter how you do it. We used 9th Ave (via 10 Ave) - a long hill that someone in better shape might peddle, but was a push up most of it for us. Road back to town on 2nd Ave. One hill was so steep it was scary to go down. Wanted to use Gum Spring Rd, but missed the turn. Travelodge itself looks new and was very nice to stay. Adele's TexMex Restaurant is right next door and is THE place for dinner.

Good info regarding lodging. Thanks.

I forgot to ask. Did Dan in Paw Paw have any insight as to when the trail at the tunnel exit might reopen?

I believe he understood September to be the current prediction, but he was going by the Natl Park Svc forecast, which he is familiar with as a NPS volunteer.

The six mile loop that follows the GAP from Boston to The 15th St Bridge in Liberty Borough, then along the other side of Yough back to Boston is a favorite local ride for us. A 1.5 mile stretch along the McKeesport side has been paved with new asphalt in the last week or so. Very nice job and less bone rattling. Check out Puzzlers bar and grill for lunch or dinner right off the trail with bike parking.

That’s great news. I’ve been avoiding that side until it was repaired.

I rode the McKeesport Loop today and the newly repaved section is quite nice. The paving work was well done and quite smooth until it reaches the unaffected part of the loop which is the original pavement and a little rough in spots.

FYI Lodging in Hancock, MD

Super 8 Motel just up the street from the Pizza Hut. North End Liquor store is just north on Limestone Road.

Hancock Motel across US 522 from the Potomac River Gill.

1828 Trail Inn B&B on Main Street very close to Buddy Lou's Restaurant.

C&O Bicycle Bunkhouse in back of shop on Berm/Canal Street.

Thanks John. It was good to get a local, accurate update of the services in Hancock and Little Orleans as the new biking season begins. Personally I'll miss Weavers. It went downhill fast after the original owners got out of the business.

Is Dave's daughter now operating the Town Hill Inn? I enjoyed my stay there whea few years ago when Dave still owned and ran the Inn.

I have no idea, but I'll swing by Town Hill and ask when I'm out near Bellegrove.

I left voice and email messages for 1828 Trail Inn B&B but they never returned them. However, I continued to call and finally spoke to someone. Therefore, I can confirm that their number (301-678-7227) is active. They must be very busy or not very responsive. I just also received an email from them about an hour after talking to them, so their email (info@1828-trail-inn.com) also works.

This hotel is clean and the staff is extremely friendly and accommodating. Be advised, this is not in Brunswick and is somewhat isolated. There is a 24/7 dinner as part of the hotel.
Also, 0.7 miles is up extremely steep hills. If your exhausted, this is not pleasant. At the end of the day, it's perfect to relax once there

Is there a shuttle service which would allow me to get from Cumberland to Pittsburgh? Planning on a late October trip, driving to Cumberland and shuttling to Pittsburgh then ride back to Cumberland. I've thought about Amtrak but I don't feel good about their bike service and no warm fuzzy feelings about getting into downtown Pittsburgh at midnight. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

See the Gaptrail.org website for some shuttle operator service options to Pittsburgh.

Aside from simply getting a bike reservation itself, I have found the Amtrak bike services satisfactory but arriving downtown at midnight isn’t ideal depending on your plans upon arriving.

We took a rental car one way from PGH to Cumberland. At the time it was cheaper than a shuttle would have been. Worth checking on in your direction as well.

The information below is taken from the NPS C&O website.


Well Water Conditions

Starting in spring 2023, the well water in hiker-biker campsites will be signed non-potable. Water from wells at paid campgrounds will remain potable and safe for drinking, cooking, or washing.

The park works to ensure that there is a more reliable water source year-round for visitors in the park and that the drinking water that is provided is as safe as it can possibly be, especially considering that our wells are in a flood zone. The park will maintain potable water in a targeted number of wells in fee campgrounds. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection. Well handles will be removed from fee campgrounds in mid-November to protect against freeze as per normal operating procedures.
For hiker-biker campgrounds, the wells will be signed as non-potable and we ask that visitors bring their own water supply or water sanitizing equipment to treat well water before use. The wells will remain in operation in hiker-biker campgrounds year-round. As long as visitors bring their own sanitization equipment, there will be a more reliable water source as handles will not be removed from these wells.

Drive-In Campgrounds: Well water within the drive-in campgrounds is potable and treated with iodine - do NOT drink if you have any iodine allergies or if you are on medication for an overactive thyroid. In general, well water is clean and able to be used without additional treatment. However, as a general precaution for wells located in a flood zone, you are advised to boil or treat the water before use for your own protection.

Hiker-Biker Campsites: Non-potable water is available in hiker-biker campsites. Please plan to filter, chemically treat, or boil the water before use for your own protection. The wells will remain in the hiker-biker campsites and, as long as visitors bring their own sanitization equipment, there will be a more reliable water source as handles will not be removed from these wells.

Visitor Centers, park buildings, and comfort stations are provided water by the nearby municipality and do not require drinking water sampling by the park. Please note that the Swains Lock campsite draws on the same municipal water as the Swains Lockhouse and will remain potable. 

Water availability is subject to change. Always bring plenty of water with you as a backup option. Please plan your trip accordingly.

Wow, big changes for 2023 on the C&O! I loved having the wells as an extra safety precaution in case I ran low on the water I was carrying. Won’t lie, on hot days, or where I pushed too hard, the water from these wells saved my bacon on a few occasions. They also provided water to stick your head under and cool down. Not sure if I’ll do that with non-potable but who knows.

I will be extra vigilant on future trips to bring extra water with me even if it means more weight. Can’t take chances in some of the more remote parts especially. Of course I could bring my Jet Boil which has been a great piece of equipment to have.

John

The bridge deck replacement project for the Pinkerton Harnedsville bridges has now been completed and the trail reopened across them.

The bridge deck replacement project for the Pinkerton Harnedsville bridges has now been completed and the trail reopened across them.

How wide is the trail through the Pawpaw Tunnel? Can a loaded recumbent trike, about 36 inches, get through?

According to design documents from the Maryland Historical Trust, the towpath through the tunnel is 4 feet wide with its wood railing. From personal experience, walking a trike with racks and bags will make it through the tunnel. However, walking beside it while pushing it through could be a little awkward in spots. Riding rather than walking through isn’t a viable option. Further, you’ll likely need to wait until any oncoming travelers have exited before you enter.

Agree, walk any bike. It’s dark, narrow, and the surface is uneven and bumpy.

If you have a light or a head lamp, that will be useful to help you see what you are walking on

If you encounter an oncoming cyclist walking their bikes, one of you will have to just stop and let the other pass through as it’s a bit tight in there. Small chance it could happen but be prepared.

Thanks for the information.

I vested the tunnel twice last year, Summer and Fall, it was under construction. Walked to the end but the other end was closed. Does anyone actually ride/walk through the tunnel in 2023?
Thank you.

The National Park Service’s website that announced the Towpath closure at the downriver end of the Paw Paw Tunnel some time ago continues to state that construction will extend through winter of 2022/23. Thus, hopefully we’ll be able to pass through the tunnel and beyond after that time without having to take the detour up and over. We’ll see.

Thank you.
The detour, up and over, is steep and narrow.

Riding 2 trikes from Cumberland to DC after Memorial Day 2023. Instead of the steep detour up and over, impossible with a trike, I see paved roads west out of Paw Paw like Tunnel Hill road that seem to be a way to detour around the Paw Paw tunnel and appears to cross the C&O in a few miles past the detour. Has anyone done this route on the road?

I’m not sure I understand the alternate route on Tunnel Hill Road that you are considering but the following is a related post from some time ago that discussed using Tunnel Hill Road.


Rick from Florida on 09/21/2021 07:15 AM:
I just rode the Paw Paw Bypass option (Sulphur Springs Rd, to Oldtown to Malcolm Rd to Tunnel Hill Rd) on Sunday the 19th. This connects with the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail at the top of Tunnel Hill. You then have to take the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail down to the C&O path. The option of going on these roads works well going from Cumberland to Little Orleans, however if you are going from Little Orleans to Cumberland you have no option to pushing your bike up the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail. If you are going this direction you are probably better off staying on the Bypass trail to get back to the C&O. Just an FYI there are a couple if steeper sections on Sulpher Springs Rd and Tunnel Hill Road. They are ridable though. These are also public roads with no shoulder, so beware of traffic, especially on Oldtown Rd.

I’m not sure I understand the alternate route on Tunnel Hill Road that you are considering but the following is a related post from some time ago that discussed using Tunnel Hill Road.


Rick from Florida on 09/21/2021 07:15 AM:
I just rode the Paw Paw Bypass option (Sulphur Springs Rd, to Oldtown to Malcolm Rd to Tunnel Hill Rd) on Sunday the 19th. This connects with the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail at the top of Tunnel Hill. You then have to take the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail down to the C&O path. The option of going on these roads works well going from Cumberland to Little Orleans, however if you are going from Little Orleans to Cumberland you have no option to pushing your bike up the Tunnel Hill Bypass Trail. If you are going this direction you are probably better off staying on the Bypass trail to get back to the C&O. Just an FYI there are a couple if steeper sections on Sulpher Springs Rd and Tunnel Hill Road. They are ridable though. These are also public roads with no shoulder, so beware of traffic, especially on Oldtown Rd.

Does any knows that the tunnel is still closed? I am going to ride from Cumberland to DC starting on 7 May 2023.

The NPS C&O website today still shows the exit trail from the tunnel is still closed.

Cyclist take WARNING! There appears to be a serious homeless problem around Mile Zero. My Niece just finished cycling the towpath last Monday. She was accosted by a homeless person who threatened her. Fortunately, she was able to get away uninjured. There was no visible National Park or Metro DC Police presence in the area. If any other cyclist encounters the same around Mile Zero, please add your comments to this thread. It's sad that things have deteriorated to this level. There was once a time when you could hike/cycle the towpath in relative safety without fear of bodily harm, especially in Georgetown of all places!

The NPS C&O website shows all H/B site well pumps beyond MM 25 as being “on”.

The NPS C&O website shows all H/B site well pumps beyond MM 25 as being “on”.