C&O / GAP Forum

Hi all,

I am wandering if the water at the primitive campsites is being treated? I guess if there is a handle on the pumps can it be drank or should it be treated first?
I can't find for sure if the NPS is still treating the water or not? I will be making the trip in about 3 weeks.

Thanks.

We were told by some volunteer workers at one of the lockhouses that if the pump is not ok to drink they have removed the handle, so pumps with handles have been treated and are safe. That being said, the water did not really smell or taste that good and we had to pump awhile before any water came out. (Maybe I am a spoiled bottled water drinker.) Good luck!

The pumps are obviously not treated water. I personally wouldn't drink water from a well along the canal or even wash dishes, my face, or hands with it. There are enough places along the canal where you can get treated water or at worst buy bottled water. But then I wouldn't drink from a well anywhere else either.

No offense Richard but that is a false statement on the wells not being treated. Tampabaiker has it right. When I ride the trails I do add Crystal light packs to the pump water I drink to make it taste better because carrying water can add weight fast to the bike. But wells are tested and treated. Richard is correct that there are a lot of places to buy water if you choose go that route also.

Believe me, there are better water sources out there! No one knows more about water than me. It's worth carrying extra water and buying extra bottled water along the way, believe me. This is a HUGE tip, the best tip you'll ever get on this site, believe me.
- "The Don"

Just purchase a Sawyer Squeeze for $20 at walmart, screw it onto a thread matching water bottle which I purchase at Dollar General and you are good to go.

The pumps are treated. If a water source proves to be unsafe the park service removes the handle. They are pretty good at keeping this info current. However, the water does have a strong taste and sometimes takes quite a few pumps to prime. I've actually had the water turn color when I put it in a freeze dried meal! I usually will add some flavored powder mix to water I'm drinking along the route. The suggestion regarding a Sawyer Squeeze Filter is a good one they make 2 sizes and are inexpensive.

The Sawyer Squeeze screws perfectly onto SMART water bottles you can find in any store...and EVERNEW water bladders that you can order off eBay.

Hi. I made a 6 minute video of getting from the GAP to the Montour Trail if that interests anyone. Just copy and paste the link. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks.
https://youtu.be/hWHlFaUG17g

I am looking for a place to park my car over night in near Dickerson. I see there is a park called Dickerson Conservation Park. I called the number listed on Google, but they were not able to tell me if I could park there overnight. Does anyone know where I could leave my car?

Are the First come first served hiker biker campgrounds still free?

Just finished the C&O and GAP. Hiker/Biker campsites are free and there is potable water (treated with iodine).

My son and I are planning on walking the C&O from DC to Harper's Ferry. Are the campsites on the path limited to how many can camp there? Is it ok to camp along the trail elsewhere? Is there a general info number we can call with our questions? We are planning 4 nights including arrival at Harper's Ferry. Is that reasonable?

The marked campsites, on Google maps, are big areas with ample room to camp depending on how close you and your neighbors want to be. Homeless people tend to camp around DC at least. You can camp anywhere, you just may not have restrooms or water. I have never walked it, but I walk at nearly a 3.5 mph pace, so depending on how long I want to walk in a day, I could do it in two or three days. I am not aware of anyone you can call, but you'll have lots of company with bikers. It's buggy and muggy at this time of year, so be prepared.

Thank you Richard. Appreciate it. MAD

The campsites along the Towpath are very large and can hold several groups. However, according to NPS rules group size is limited to A GROUP. Can't remember what thentotal number was but you can find it on their C&O WEBSITE. I've stayed along the route often and shared sites wuth other groups with no problem. Just.letting you know what the rulres state.

The campsites are mostly 7-10 miles apart. Contrary to what Richard states you should only stay in designated areas. Rangers do patrol and if your caught camping at unauthorized sites (stealth camping) you could be fined. Please don't ruin a good thing by breaking the rules. The sites are large, mostly shaded, toilet, and usually a water pump.

Just found the info. Max of 2 tents/8 people per site except for group sites. Having said that I can tell you that I have done numerous thru rides and hiked several stretches of the Towpath. I've always camped at the HBO's (hiker/biker overnighters) with no issues even when other's are already camping. It's fun meeting fellow travelers. This website can give you most of the info you need to plan a trip. Also check out BikeWashington.org.

The GAP app lists "Meyersdale Primitive camping" -- I can't seem to locate it. Is there camping in/near Meyersdale? (THank you)

Maple festival campground. 814-634-5710

The campsite is less than a block away from Yoders Guest House. Very nice. Seems to be safe and secure. Check in at Donges Resturant.

Has anyone out there ridden it in a single day? Thoughts? Details?

I have gone Cumberland to Pittsburgh and visa versa. Going Cumberland to Pittsburgh you have a steeper clime to the pass but the payoff is a long mild down hill. Our next trip will be DC to Pittaburgh for that reason.

Did you ride it in one day? How many hours?

I just DID C&O and GAP in 4 days (2days each). After GAP I did 60 more miles on that 4th day on Montour trail. GAP speed and comfort was almost equivalent to road. Definitely could dO GAP 1 day,averaging 14-15 mph (speed limit)

I rode it nonstop a few years ago. Went from Pittsburgh to DC. Took about 24 hours riding time and almost 30 total. Had to stop for some torrential rain and wind. Then had to detour off the C&O in the middle of the night as the towpath was impassable with downed trees.

Last year I rode DC to Pitts in 4 days: 2 days apiece on C&O and GAP. The year before I did the C&O in one day (16 hours 45 minutes from Cumberland to Georgetown). I'm thinking of attempting the whole ride in two days, not sure I've seen a trip log from anyone who did it (especially at 54 yo) but what's the worst that can happen?!

I plan to do it next year. Mileage-wise its definitely feasible but I'm not sure about trail conditions. I've tried to find more information but haven't had much luck.

I just biked GAP in one day. Cumberland to Pittsburgh on Saturday and then return to Cumberland on Sunday. I think I prefer the western direction best even though going downhill the last 23 miles on the eastern direction was fun. I avg 14.2 mph going west, and 15.2 going east. Total time each trip was approx 12 hours.

Why would you want to?? The experience of trail riding is not how far, fast, or how quickly it can be accomplished...but the experience of actually stopping, seeing, staying, meeting...etc. If fast miles are all you are trying to accomplish, why not just pick your favorite stretch of any trail & ride back & forth until you reach the 'required' 335 miles or till your wheels fall off? Just a simple man's/biker's thought...

Mike... To each his own. Who the hell are you to tell others how to enjoy their ride. Ever hear of challenging yourself and pushing to see what you are capable of doing? Anyone can bike along at 10,12, 15 mph and get from point A to point B. Few are capable of going 300h+ miles in a day. We just enjoy more of the scenery much faster. Get off your high horse. You sound like a pompous ass.

Yes Ed...to each his own. Maybe you need to calm down. I was certainly not trying to dictate the actions of anyone, just 'attempting' to point out that there is much to be missed. But thank you for your righteous opinion.

I've done the ride different times for fun and miles. The biking for fun allowed time to stop and different towns and enjoy the eateries and sights.

There is no need to ask any one why they would like to ride the trail in one day or in 10 days. It's a great country (despite our political choices this fall) and anyone can decide to ride it as fast or as slow as they like. Isn't that amazing?!

The question posted was not asking for guidance as to how long the rider should take to ride it....it simply asked if anyone had done it in a day.

Ride your own ride....In July I know of three bikers that challenged themselves and did it in all in one shot.It took them a little bit over 24hrs straight from Pittsburg to D.C.

I imagine the biggest problem trying to speed through the whole trail will be other people. Hopefully you won't just buzz past peds at top speed. :-) So aim for times when there are fewer people. The trail is definitely empty late in the evening, but (no kidding) watch out for deer. Also, if you inadvertently chase a racoon, stop and let the bastard escape. They'll turn on you. Morning might also be a good time, but I've seen a number of joggers.

I biked from Pitt to Cumberland in a day a few weeks back with a friend. Took us just over 11 hrs of saddle time...just shy of 13 hrs total trip. We stopped for a burger and beers in Ohiopyle. Longest climb I've ever done for sure...but the last 25 miles was a sweet way to finish. In June of 2017, we plan to do the full pull from Pitt to DC in one run. We're planning for about a 30 hr trip total. I would love to hear from others who have done something similar.

Why would you? There is a lot to see along the trail, and the journey is the experience. This isn't a racetrack.

Hey TopShelf, no judgement but question was has anyone done it. I did Cumberland to Pittsburgh in 11 hours riding time 2 weeks after doing a group 5 day Pittsburgh -D.C. ride. Did it for the physical challenge. I do slow rides, training rides, rides with kids, escort Boy Scouts, sightsee rides. People have all different intentions for their use of the trail - it's great that we can all enjoy it together!

Sullystull and Steve - -I did the ride from Pittsburgh to DC nonstop,thru the night. Left Pgh at 6 and rolled into Georgetown at noon the following day. 24 hours riding time and 6 hours of stops for storms etc. Greatly enjoyed the experience and the challenge. Night time will not slow you down, assuming you aren't starting late in the day. Biggest challenge is clearly the mental fatigue. Any specific questions I'd be glad to try to answer.

yes, Pgh to Dc was the wrong direction. DC to Pgh lands you biking 126 miles down hill on the smoother of both trails all the way to the Burg. Also, start in evening near dinner so you eat earlier and get the night riding down while you are fresher. sub 24 hours. before I now work with the trail groups... otherwise the C&O has a rule, closed at dark.

I was the guy that started this post. Thanks to everyone who commented. Good feedback. Some impressive efforts. I just rode it two w/e's ago so I thought I would give a brief trip report w/ my "thank you" above.

Totally solo effort. Dropped the car in Cumberland and caught a very late Amtrak to Pgh. Almost 1:00am by the time I got to my room in the Cambria hotel near Pen's arena. Convenient and relatively reasonable choice.

Rolled from Point State Park the next day at 6:16am. Thought the first 20+/- paved miles would go a bit faster but a number of turns, sign reading, etc. kept pace down. Used a hard tail MTB with medium wide city knobbies. Bike and seat post rack at 27 lbs + 12-15lbs of water, food, clothes, tools, etc. in small rack bag.

Finished in 11:10:30 total time. Only major stop was roughly 30 min. in Ohiopyle. Someone else commented about the mental aspect and I totally agree. Got pretty lonely and physically challenging between say Mile 80 and 120. Started fixating on how gravel in the shade was still wet from recent rain and felt spongy+slow compared to dryer gravel in sunny patches. Ha ha ha. That was probably just my dehydrated brain talking.

A very brief comment on the fast "challenge" vs. slower "enjoyment" comments in conversation thread: I appreciate and applaud both. This was a ride tied in with something between my recently deceased mother and I so that dictated some of my choices. But I am already thinking about a possible (slower) return for some/all of the route with buddies or The Wife. I grew up in Pgh at the beginning of the end of the Steel industry, but I was nonetheless amazed at the scale/magnitude of evidence of the long gone steel, rail and mining industries along the Yough....glimpses at former greatness. Would like to go back and have time for reading a few historical markers and rolling into some of the towns.

But it was a great trip. Met and exceeded expectations.

bg

CORRECTION: "Mon" more so than "Yough".

Some of negative comments towards the initial question is why I carefully word anything I write for public scrutiny..Why so judgemental? He simply asked a question and he gets chastised...Come on people, we are better than that.

We are bicycling self-supported and camping fro DC to Pitsburgh and back to DC. A roundtrip of the C&O and GAP. My concern is after we reach Pittsburgh we will turn around and head back and may not have time to pedal back to Dravo campsite. Is there anything in between? Thanks for responses and suggestions.

No Campsites in between, only hotels. You would have to camp out at Dravo, leave your tent set up to lighten your bike and do a Pgh. and back. All doable. No one would bother your stuff there.

Thanks. That's what our plan will be then. If we can't make it there and back, we may just spring for a room in Homestead. We're planning on 60 to 80-mile days but if we are doing well we were hoping not to have to stop at Dravo on the way up.

Remember that just a little passed the Boston Trailhead most of the way to Pittsburgh will be on asphalt. You will pick up 1 1/2 mph on the smooth surface. You will hit some small hills and bridge ramps also. I have two videos on YouTube where you see everyturn you have to make. If you are interested just do a YouTube search for "bike ride waterfront to boston or "bike ride waterfront to pittsburgh" They should be the first ones to come up in the search. Have a great trip.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay in or around DC fairly inexpensive. I have the hostel booked now but have heard bad things about it.

The Inn of Rosslyn. Clean. Relatively cheap($90).

The Georgetown House is right on the canal and right next to restaurants . They were very nice rooms in an old canal building. The rooms are small, but very nice and comfortable. There's a common kitchen and frig downstairs and they have a place for bikes. They let us keep our luggage there all day after check out. We could still get our room's wifi at the bar/restaurant next door and an easy walk to many others. Rooms start at 149 to over 200 but for the location and the nice rooms, it was a good deal. Perfect way to end our trip (okay the canal is drained there for now, but... otherwise perfect).

Are there places to obtain water between Great Falls and zero?

Yes. There is water and a restroom two miles after Great Falls where Old Anglers Inn is. There is a restroom and water at Carderock. There may water at Locks 10 and 8. There is water and a concession stand at Fletcher's Boathouse. There is no water fountain at zero, but there are plenty of places to buy drinks.