C&O / GAP Forum

How possible is it to get on an Amtrak train from Georgetown trailhead? Distance and route. Looking to take our bikes and get on the train back to Pittsburgh.

You're less than four miles from Union Station at Mile 0 in G-town. You could either ride on Capital Crescent Trail until that ends and then the streets (lots of safe cycling infrastructure, bike paths, etc.) or head to Foggy Bottom Metro station (still need to ride to get there) which I think you can take your bike on any time except weekday rush hours. Get on either of the Blue, Silver, or Orange lines and head east and transfer at Metro Center and get on the Red line which goes to Union Station. I'd actually just ride the whole way, it's a nice pleasant ride if you take the bike safe routes.

i believe there is only one train back to Pitt where you can take your bike ... the 4:05 .. the earlier train does not have the option to do so ... also, i think its an additional $20 ( $15 for a bicycle box, and $5 to check it in) ...

The annoying bit will be getting to Pittsburgh around midnight.

Re: the original question, in case anyone is looking at this thread in the future, there are plentiful options for biking from the end of the C&O to Union Station in DC. I would just plug the start- and endpoints into Google Maps; it is pretty good for DC biking routes. My experience biking in DC is that it is a very bikeable city.

It's very easy to get from the trail head to Union Station. I like to avoid riding on the street, so would suggest taking a right onto the trail alongside Rock Creek Parkway (you'll be standing on it at the end of the canal), then take a left where the trail comes to a T in a few hundred feet. Hug the riverside for a mile or two (the trail will cross the street at one point, don't take that, stay on the sidewalk along the river) until you come up the hill to the Lincoln Memorial/Memorial Bridge. Go around clockwise to the front of the Lincoln Mem, take in the view, and then simply ride down the Mall to the Capitol. Union Station is up the little hill on your left as you're facing the Capitol from the Mall.

Are there opportunities to swim along the routes?

If so I will pack a swimsuit so I don't have to skinny dip as my wife would frown on that.

We saw many swimmers, kayakers, rafters and tubers all along the trail from ohiopyle to DC, especially in the Potomac.

At a minimum, wade into the cold water at Ohiopyle. Feels heavenly on tired legs.

We have rode bot the C&O and the Gap numerous times, but are looking for a recommendation of B&B or hotel in Harpers Ferry area for a overnight ride to introduce our (relatively) novice rider friends to the C&O. Have stayed at the Town Inn before but looking for somewhere else and does not require a 2 day minimum weekend stay.

We stayed at the Town's Inn during our trip in May and they didn't require 2 nights minimum, but perhaps their rules are different in summer. The previous year we stayed at the Tea Horse hostel in Bolivar, just up the hill from Harpers Ferry. It was very inexpensive and included a waffle breakfast, but accommodations were very basic.
http://teahorsehostel.com/

Try Thomas Shepherd Inn it is in Shepherdstown, but you can easily get to it by getting off path in Sharpsburg. Delicious breakfast and lovely accomodations. Enjoy.

I just stayed at the Teahorse Hostel; a clean, friendly place--recommended!

Stonehouse is very comfy, across the street from Towns Inn

http://hfstonehouse.com/

We rode, self supported, the GAP and C&O trail a month ago camping along the way. It took us 5 days and we ended up totaling 354 miles with side stops. I loved the GAP trail. The GAP trail was amazing. The amount of work they have done with bridges, signs, and benches was amazing. Not to mention the condition of the trail. The C&O trail was much more rustic, in worse condition and with fewer places to stop for water, food, etc. But I enjoyed both. But what we enjoyed the most were the people we met while riding. The were a lot of friendly enthusiastic people on the trail.

We rode west to east because of the weather forecast. But if I had a choice I would rather begin in DC and do the GAP second and save the nicer trail for last. I think my buttocks would have been happier for that choice.

What I enjoyed more than the ride was the planning and logistics. This site helped a great deal. If anyone is planning a trip and needs any advice I would be happy to send them the planning guide I put together.

I'm planning to do the GAP in Mid September. My big decision is which way to ride. Did you find the slight uphill from PB to Cumberland very noticeable? I keep hearing that there is a headwind that blows west to east that is helpful if you ride in this direction. How far did you go per day? Any particular recommendations on towns/or places to stay?

Susan, the headwinds were never really noticeable for me as you are curling and looping in different directions along the rivers, so it's not really noticeable. Plus in many spots, you're surrounded by tree canopy. As for direction, it depends on your wants. The first time I did it, I did Pittsburgh to DC because I thought it would be cool to end a long trip at the National Mall for some cool pics of the Capitol. That said, in terms of physically enjoying the ride, I'd do DC to Pittsburgh. It's totally flat from DC to Cumberland of course except for the canal locks which are little 8-10 foot climbs but are really small and nothing to worry about. Then from Cumberland, it's 24 miles going "uphill" (1.5 - 2% grade) to the Continental Divide but then you get the reward of 126 miles of going slightly downhill all the way to Pittsburgh. For most people, this is two enjoyable days of a slight downhill to end your trip. You're not going to coast of course but you won't be fighting gravity either even if it's just a subtle grade but you are going downhill. None of these grades are steep in any real sense. I did it in five days with overnights in Harpers Ferry, Hancock, Cumberland, Ohiopyle or Connellsville, and ending in Pittsburgh (or campgrounds near them). Approx. 65-75 miles day.

Susan, I agree with John W. Ignore the headwind issue when deciding which direction to go.

I just completed a 5-day ride between DC and Pittsburgh yesterday, stopping in:

-Harper's Ferry
-Hancock
-Cumberland
-Confluence
-Pittsburgh

So similar to John's itinerary except I stopped in Confluence instead of Ohiopyle. If I'd stopped in Ohiopyle, the last two days (Cumberland-to-Ohiopyle and Ohiopyle-to-Pittsburgh) would have each been about 75 miles I think. As I did it, I had about a 60 mile day (Cumberland to Confluence) and a 90 mile day (Confluence to Pittsburgh). It was rough coming into Pittsburgh after biking 75-80 miles already. But I made it. :) I think John's itinerary is better.

If you wanted to make it a 6-day westbound trip, you could stop in Confluence (like I did), then stop again in, perhaps, Boston (it seemed like there might be some lodging there), and then have an easy 25-30 mile ride into Pittsburgh on the last day.

Happy riding!

Oh, I should add: it seems to me that plenty of people do west-to-east, so if that seems better to you don't let us dissuade you.

And I agree with John that the "uphill" heading west out of Cumberland is hardly a big deal at all. I am a wuss with hills and this doesn't even feel like a hill. It just feels like your tires are low on air or something because you're going slower for some reason. ;)

I also just finished the C&O and GAP -- fantastic 9 days spent on the trails. I did a back and forth, so essentially did both trails twice! Took a few different routes going and coming back (including the Western Maryland Rail Trail) -- it was a super nice diversion to the bumpyness of the C&O, even if only 22 miles of it! GAP s lovely - did not really notice the headwinds or much of a climb -- like mentioned above, sort of just felt like tires were a bi deflated! I was doing at least 70 miles a day to make it, and camping along the way, but stopping to eat in a number of different towns. Really, reallly loved Shepherdstown! Enjoy it -- it is stunning!

Thank you all for your comments and advise. I'm really glad to hear the headwinds are not an issue because I really wanted to go east to west and experience the long down hill. Being from Florida flatlands, I'm a real wimp about hills too, but your comments about the trek from Cumberland to the Divide no big deal is also reassuring. We are just doing the GAP portion and plan of 4 fairly leisurely days. Now that I have my direction, I can start solidifying our plans! Thanks everyone!

Thanks for taking the time to post your experience, this is quite helpful in planning a trip. Does anyone have any details on the campgrounds they stayed at or saw along the way? We are planning a trip along the Allegheny Passage and identified the camp site in Buena Vista and Perrypopolis as places we may want to camp at.

I agree with everyone else the headwind did not make a difference because of the tree cover. I would recommend going east to west as you are going to get the better trail last and get the C&O over with 1st. There was a 39 mile slow climb from Confluence to the Continental Divide but it was not very noticeable. The only consideration for me, is how wet will the C&O trail be. The C&O trail does not absorb water very well. It takes about 3 days for it to dry off. The weather forecast as to when and where the rain will fall might make a difference in direction.

I did it in 5 days staying in the overflow biker campground in Confluence which was very nice. night 2 we stayed in a campground around mile marker 175. I would not recommend that campground at all. Night 3 we stayed in a B&B in Williamsport and night in a very nice campground around mile marker 38.

If you would like to see Pics of my trip. I posted them on facebook here. https://www.facebook.com/bruce.drysdale.1/media_set?set=a.10153154190132928.1073741830.692197927&type=3&pnref=story If you contact me there, I would be happy to send you the word docs I made with list of restaurants, bike shops, campground, etc and any help that I can be. Best of luck on your trips.

We are also from Florida, and the elevation chart convinced us that we would be happier going east to west. We "cheated"--um, expanded our overall travel experience?--and took the train from Cumberland to Frostburg, so only 8 miles left to the Continental Divide.

But we did both trails.

Are mosquitos an issue on the trail (riding/camping)? I am not particularly a fan of rubbing chemicals on my body but also don't like the little blood sucking critters. For riding has anyone used the Bullfrog Mosquito Coast combination sunscreen and bug spray? Our trip is planned for early September.

Rode it 5 times during different parts of summer and never had a bug problem while moving.

How muddy is the trail currently I am considering to ride soon or possibly mid September any update would be helpful I plan on camping. Thanks

The GAP is made if crushed limestone so it's never too muddy though you'll get a bit gritty from it but even wet it's not too bad. It drains really well. The C&O is, for the most part, almost always muddy in parts. It's a dirt trail to begin with but it doesn't dry out very well. The tree canopy is very thick and it remains wet even days after it rains. No worries though. You'll be sweaty from the heat and exertion...the wet and dirt just become second nature when riding. :-) After a few miles in it, you just plow through the puddles instead of tying to avoid them. I use lots of those huge gallon and storage zip locks to keep all of my important things dry in my bags. It's good to know that even though I'm wet, sweaty, and dirty, all of my stuff is nice and dry if I got caught in a storm or wet trail.

Lol, I've had the same experience the last two days biking from DC westbound. At first I was avoiding the puddles at all costs, even dismounting at times. Now I just bike through them. :)

I will say that on 7/20/15 between mile makers 20 and 30 (or thereabouts) the mud was particularly bad. Since then it's been fine. (In Hancock as I type.)

Just finished it -- trail was nice and dry - that being said it had no rained in a few days, but the few days it did rain when I was on the trail, it was very wet and muddy. I was covered from the waist down -- particularly bad area was between Shepherdstown and Williamsport, and again just before Cumberland (on the C&O). Just cleaned off going swimming in the Potomac!!

Thanks for the updates will check in as time gets closer to my ride day in Sept.

The GAP trail seems to absorb water very well but the C&O gets very muddy. I was told it takes 3 days for the C&O to dry out after getting rain. We ran into constant puddle after mud puddle on the C&O.

Seriously looking for a female to ride from Cumberland to Shepherdstown on the C and O.(Possibly on to DC from there.) Looking to do maybe 25-35 miles a day. I am in my 50s and am not interested in speed, this will be my first trip from Cumberland. Hoping to go late July or early Aug. Please respond here and I will contact you!

jmh- contact me, might be doable early august depending on job stuff
ransymorf@yahoo.com

at the 30 mile marker there is a large tree that has fallen across the trail

there was also another tree across the mile marker 156/157 (just after Paw Paw Tunnel on the C&O) - I ran into a few different rangers and mentioned it, so perhaps taken care of by now.

The Potomac Grill just across the street from the America’s Best Value Inn on US 522 has reopened in Hancock. Still served good BBQ and other comfort food; very affordable compared to the prices and menu selection at Buddy Lou’s up the street. The rumored access trail from the grill to the WMRT is just that, a rumor so you’ll have to either come up the hill or you can come in to the employee parking lot in the back just off the video rental store on MD 144.

An update on this: you actually can access the Potomac River Grille from the WMRT; there is a gravel trail leading from the WMRT to the restaurant's lower parking lot. It's slightly west of the informational sign about the two rivers with Native American names (I forget the names exactly) that connect with the Potomac.

Hello everyone. 3 weeks ago, I rode the GAP from Cumberland to Pittsburgh in 3 days with a group of Venture Scouts. Had a great time! So good, that I am going to ride the C&O and the GAP next summer (without boy scouts, with adults).

The trip I am planning is self-supported. For me, transportation is relatively easy. I can drive to Toledo, check my bike in a bike box on Amtrak - take train to DC - ride to Pittsburgh - take train back to Toledo.

However, I have friends who plan to fly in from Seattle for the trip. They can pack their own bikes for the flight, but where can they get a bike box in Pittsburgh for their flight home? My thought was the Amtrak station - but I'm not sure if Amtrak will sell boxes unless you are taking the train. Any suggestions?

Amtrak might be willing to sell them boxes, but their boxes are very large and could be expensive for flying or shipping. I would recommend some other options:
- Most bike shops have boxes that they would be willing to give away or sell for a small price.
- Amtrak could probably ship your friends' bikes in one of their boxes, but not sure how cost would compare with FedEx or USPS, and bikes would need to be picked up at train station on other end.
- Your friends should be able to ship their bikes using FedEx, USPS or bike oriented shipping companies for much less money than what airlines would charge.

I found out that there is a FedEx/Kinkos just 1/2 mile from Point State Park. They are open until 11 Monday - Friday, and until 9 on weekends. That looks like a great option. Thanks for your advice.

Good advice in this thread. I would definitely look into shipping the bikes using Amtrak (even if the bike owners themselves will not be riding). I believe "Amtrak shipping" would be much cheaper than using FedEx--assuming the bike owners live near enough the destination station to make it worth the hassle of picking up the bikes there.

Anyone starting their trip in Cumberland 7/26? or so? Interested in knowing some fellow cyclists that will be on the trail at the same time. Not interested in joining a group, just like to have some aquaintances going in the same direction.

We'll be headed north out of Cumberland at the same time you're there. If you see us we'll be easy to recognize. Our group of 8 will be on three tandem bikes, all with kid stokers and one single with a pull behind bike. Four adult and four young boys from 3-8.

I don't think anyone will be interested in joining our group as the boys can be a little rambunctious at times, but I think we'll have lots of fun. Enjoy your trip!

Great, I will look for you! Kids don't bother me, so hope to see you.