C&O / GAP Forum

I was told that the trail at Woodcock Hollow was closed due to a landslide? Are bikers able to get thru that area?

Just finished through ride from Pgh to DC on Wednesday, GAP & C&O trails were in great shape, no issues.

I rode GAP Thursday in the rain and from mile 95-97 the trail was like sludge, almost impassable. They put extra dirt down and underneath that it is all rutted. Also from mile 92-97 was rough. Similar but not as bad sludge affect miles 108-112. Mile 95-97 was still not good on Saturday. They need tgo fix this area. I don't think it is all from the rain,.

I'm considering this ride for next June, and would be interested to hear from anyone who has done it. I did the harder leg (entire C&O) in one day two years ago, so I have a sense of what one day will be like (16 hours 45 minutes, around 90 minutes of breaks included). And last year I did the whole thing in 4 days, so am familiar with the GAP piece as well (although in two leisurely days, ~75 miles per). Would be interested to hear from anyone who has done it in two, especially a peer (55 years old next June).

I have done the GAP + C&O in just over a day. Rode it Pittsburgh to DC. The following year I rode Pittsburgh to Cumberland and back in one day. And just this past Sunday I rode from Connellsville to Williamsport - 175 miles in less than 12 hours. I did these rides between the ages of 53-56. I'm fairly familiar with the trails. It becomes much more mental than physical. Let me know what you'd like to know.

The C&O in 1 day will be hard going 184 miles on the rough trail. I did it in 2 days fairly easily (DC to Williamsport to Cumberland). Doing the GAP in 1 day is easy. The trail is almost like riding on paved roads. I avg. 14-15 mph, stopped for resetaurent breakfast, a few other long stops and made it in 12 hours. I did both directions 1 day each way.

This question is for DG or anyone else. What style bike and tires did you ride when you rode the C&O in one day?

I rode a Gary Fisher Superfly... which is a hard tail. Rode a 1.90 lightweight tire. Why this bike?? It's what I had. I liked having the front suspension to dampen the vibration.

The Pittsburgh to DC ride took about 30 hours total with 24 hours riding time. Had some nasty weather and had to detour off the C&O in the middle of the night. Riding at night with a decent headlamp was not a problem. Didn't slow our pace down at all... The 200+ miles before dark did though.

Thanks for the responses so far. DG, nice going, very encouraging to hear your story! I guess having ridden the C&O piece in one day, I was just wondering how it is after doing the GAP in one day, to get up super early and do the even harder part the next day. From Bob James' comment, it sounds like doing the GAP in one day isn't so bad (around 12 hours means pulling into Cumberland no later than 7 pm). So, a decent night's sleep is possible, and maybe the tough next day will be doable.

There should be a website / log for those who do these kinds of rides, not just discussions forums like this. When I was training for doing the C&O in one day, all I found was a couple stray trip reports. But, all you really need to know is to carry as little as possible, potable water along the trail, get up early so you can get to G'town before it gets too dark, when to switch over to the paved trail to go down under the Key Bridge and along K St under the Whitehurst, and how to find the hidden Milemarker 0 obelisk on the far side of Tompson's boathouse! In between is easy (to remember): take only short breaks, stay hydrated, and just keep pedaling.

I'll describe my bike per Brian's request: a Cannondale "Quick 6" which is their low-end (under $400 when I bought it ~7 years ago) sports hybrid. No front or seat-post shocks.

I did the GAP again this weekend. 11 1/2 hours Cumberland to Pittsburgh on Thursday. Stayed in Pittsburgh and did 140 miles Montour Trail and some on Friday. Back to Cumberland on Saturday in 11 hours. Stopped in Connesville for 30 min breakfast. Thursday was all rain on GAP. Trail was in not best condition. The trail was like sludge and almost impassable from mile 95-97 and very rough from miles 93-97. They did something to the tail like put extra dirt and it was also rutted under the dirt/sludge. Also similar, but not as bad from mile 108-112 outside West Newton.

Oh yes, I have a Specialized AWOL Trail Bike with 42mm tires with all weather tread (not knobbies). It weighs about 35 lbs before adding bags, packs and water bottles. So quite heavy, but with tires pumped to 100psi it moves good with grades less than 1%

There are two errors on the trail route. The trail crosses the RR tracks at Locust Street and goes behind the parking garage, police station and two city parks and crosses River Street to pass the McKeesport Marina. The trail forks just before the 15th Street bridge; the left fork takes the GAP across the 15th Street bridge to a separate trail leading to River Road. River Road is share the road to the old Durabond pipe yard, where it goes up to the right to the GAP trail to Boston.

Looking at the closeup view of the trail, there are more errors. The trail crosses Water Street, not River Street and follows a dedicated asphalt trail next to Water Street to go behind Kane Hospital. Then, it shares Market Street and 13th Street to join an asphalt trail parallel to Walnut Street to the fork leading to the 15th Street bridge.

The family is doing the trip from DC to Pittsburgh the end of August and I'm looking for hotels in Rockwood or West Newton instead of B & B's. It seems like all I can find are B & B's.

Nothing in West Newton far as I know except for Bright Morning B&B which is very nice. Same for Rockwood. There are several places but no hotels far as I know. We enjoy staying at the Hostel on Main.

If you can adjust your mileage there is a motel in/near Perryopolis and/or Connelsville.

We stayed at Comfort Inn that is listed as in Smithton. Just a few miles east of West Newton. Just make sure you get off the trail at Cedar Creek Park.

Waterfront Bike Rental is directly on the GAP trail in west homestead. It's a full service bike shop and the trail actually goes right through our parking lot. We've been there for two years.

Not sure why they don't show parking here. There is a large parking lot with easy access to the trail. To verify see the NPS park planner.

Can anyone tell me what milemarker it is to get off of the c&o canal path to ride the road for the 20-30 miles or so? any help, appreciated. Thanks

Do you mean the Western Maryland Rail Trail? It runs parallel to the C&O for about 22.5 miles before and after Hancock, MD. I can't recall the exact mile markers to look for or where to turn off. There is a sign on each end. Just look at the WMRT web page for their maps. Google maps might even have it also if you turn on Biking.

The cut over for the Western Maryland Rail Trail is at Lock 56 / MP 136

Thank u. I will take a look at the at the map. Just do t want to miss it and didn't know how well it was marked .px

I read somewhere that the exact mile markers at each end of the WMRT on the C&O are 114.5 and 136.3. Word of note. If you're heading towards DC and you get to the very end of the WMRT at Big Pool and want to get back to the C&O, that means you missed the sign to turn off. You'll need to backtrack 3/4 of a mile to get to the C&O access point. The WMRT just dead ends. The access to the C&O is a at around 3/4 mile from mile 0.

Thanks John and Red! First time doing the trip to Pgh to DC, want to know everything I need to know before going.

How hot was it.. I am doing C & O starting 23rd going down hill from Cumberland to Harpers Ferry.. Also are the bugs bad? iS IT ANY COOLER NEAR THE Water?

It looks like the 23rd is going to be a scorcher. Highs in the upper 90's. So yes it will be a hot one. You will still get that shade from the canopy which will help somewhat. The bugs will be out in the humidity. I am a runner and find the deer flies to be a pain as they will fly around my head (due to the sweat) for miles. Spray will help. Good luck!

Happy Hills staff is wonderful. However, when I called to get info, I was told how EASY it is to get from WMRT to campground via a "path" through the woods. The path is more of a maze, not well marked, intertwined with other trails. Very confusing, hot and difficult to push loaded bike up hill of deep ruts. Once there, the staff could not have been more kind, but my experience ruined my evening. I would not recomend for cyclists.

Great hole in the wall with tasty homemade food. Plate sized pancakes, delicious bacon chicken ranch wrap(big), old fashioned daily specials at a great price. Decor is not there, but the food and value is spot on!

DC to PGH in August. Should I use my mountain bike or road bike withh 700c x 32 wheels? Saw some pics of C&O looking like a sloppy mess and wondering if the trail is full of ruts. Preference is for the road bike.

I used Bontrager Race All Weather 700 x 32 on my Trek 7.3 fx hybrid. No problems. The GAP you will be fine no matter how wet as it's packed crushed limestone rail trail. The C&O can be wetter and muddier and offer more "surprises" as its old canal trail that was used by mules and does indeed have tree ruts. You definetely have to pay attention more here than on the GAP where you can daydream while riding. Even though it didn't rain on me, it must have rained ahead of me in the trail because the C&O was wet in spots. It doesn't drain as well as the GAP and there is lots of tree canopy coverage so the sun doesn't get to dry it out as fast. Yeah you'll get a little muddy and wet if there's been rain but hey, you'll be going in August and it will be hot and sticky anyways. After trying to avoid the first few puddles, we just went right through them after. Kinda fun! The pumps at all of the C&O hiker biker sites have ample water to clean off. :-)

Thanks for the info. Hot and sticky I can deal with. Cold and wet I can't. Probably will do the road bike, will be traveling light but still may still have 10 lbs of gear which would bode well for the mountain bike. I'll do a few trips before then with my gear to test it out.

Steve, I really like John's comment, it's realistic, not like others I have read that just want to make it sound like they are pro riders and can do the trip in no time. So my opinion, either bike will do it and I have both type also but I use a mountain bike just to be more comfortable. Speed or comfort, after all day of riding it only ends up being 10 to 15 minutes differences. Enjoy the ride and GO PENS!

I have done this with a commuter bike 700X32. Had no trouble, but no suspension was tough on my shoulders. Doing it again this June, taking my mountain bike this time!

Encouraging comments, thanks. Leaning towards my commuter bike 700x32, although may put 35's on. Plan on staying PGH for a while and would prefer the road bike to get around. Go Pens!

John W is on target. The other thing to consider is fenders, which will keep you and the bike much cleaner if wet conditions exists.

Regarding the sometimes muddy conditions on the C & O, especially when approaching a puddle, I have found it best to just ride through the puddle. The mud on either side is often turned to slippery slush and a wipe-out can happen. You may get a little dirty, but the Potomac is right there to scoop up in your hands and clean up. As for bikes, either a mountain bike or hybrid is my choice--never a road bike. Beautiful as the trail is, it has some rocks and roots here and there. Nothing to worry about.

I used your guide. It needs updated. Had no cell reception and a medical emergency! Your guide doesn't list medical facilities for Connellsville, PA. I stumbled upon a pharmacy walkin clinic after asking a local. They ripped me a new bum hole for not knowing about the real hospital ER few bocks away. I showed them your guide nothing listed. EVERY milepost should have some medical ER listing and address even if it is miles away from the trail so we can drag our lifeless bodies off the trail until we get a signal or find the facility. Shame on me for not doing a better due diligence.

Thank you for pointing this out; I have added Highlands Hospital to the Connellsville listings. That's how we keep our listings updated - feedback from people with firsthand experience. Because you passed it along here, future trail users will know that there IS a hospital in Connellsville.

Pretty rude of the pharmacy people to expect visitors to their town to know in advance where to find town services. I hope you found friendlier locals along the rest of your trip.

Happy trails!

Excellent camping. We arrived at night and paid in the morning. Partner slept in back of Uhaul. I hung my hammock in the Picnic Shelter. Warm shower and coffee in the morning. YMCA members starting arriving around 5:00 AM.

Which YMCA did you camp at? Appears there is one on Baltimore Ave and one on Kelly Rd.