C&O / GAP Forum

i am planning a trip from Pittsburgh to DC first week of June ... how are the conditions of the trail, and is there any detours i should be aware of ??

The trail from Pitt-DC is free and clear of any detours or closures. Conditions should be normal as it's been warm and dry the last two days. C&O is usually muddy in spots even days after it rains as much of it is under tree canopy and it does not dry out as fast as the GAP.

I just finished riding the GAP-C&O from Pittsburgh to DC on Saturday, 5/23/15. Both trails were in great shape, better than when I rode them in June 2014, with no detours. However, it hadn't rained much over the past week or so. If there is heavy rain during your ride or shortly before leaving, the C&O will be muddy in spots.

Please contact me if you find a journal near mile post 26. It is precious to me and my 10 year old boy. We are wrapping up an amazing g trip and we know for sure we lost it right after we left Horse pen Branch and before the next viaduct 3 miles later going toward DC.it most lovely fell off right at Horse pen Branch. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU FIND IT. DAVE.W.SCHUETZ@GMAIL.COM Thank you!

Also, we lost it on the morning of saturday, may 23.

Looking for the best way ftom the C&O canal in Bethesda to Wilson lane ..rte 188...or from thr 7 locks area

Coming from Great Falls it will be the foot bridge about a mile, if that, after Lock 8. Take the foot bridge across the canal and the trail will lead you to MacArthur Rd and Wilson Lane. Wilson Lane will be just to the right as you come out of the trail.

Been there the past three years as we ride the C&O. Honestly, the food can be good, but it is hit or miss. The cream of crab soup is heavy on cream and light on the crab. Lots of fried things on the menu, but it states that they can be broiled instead. Beer variety is minimal, but they have a few good local selections. They are very accommodating for us, which makes it an ideal location for our group to meet up after a day on the trail.

The Crabby Pig was OK the one time I ate there but there is (summer of 2014) a better place to eat right there by the trail. I don't remember the name but it was in that group of stores right there, on the other side of the bicycle shop and closer to the hotel.

This is the only restaurant in the entire area where you can buy a mixed drink! Great martini.

Very good place to eat. Prices were reasonable for this type of dining. Service was outstanding as well. I look forward to eating there every year, though last year we went somewhere different for a change.

On Saturday, February 9, 2013, a group of long distance hikers will
walk 50 miles to commemorate one of the most impressive feats accomplished by an
active U.S. politician. Exactly 50 years prior, on February 9, 1963, Robert F. Kennedy
(RFK) walked 50 miles from Potomac, Maryland’s Great Falls area to Harper’s Ferry, West
Virginia, along the C&O Canal towpath. Just why and how RFK did, what some may say
was a crazy stunt, remains a mystery.

In 1963, U.S. President, John F. Kennedy (JFK), who emphasized physical fitness’
importance, challenged the U.S. military to a 50 mile march. JFK was emulating President
Theodore Roosevelt, who issued a similar directive in 1908.

JFK made it known that his White House staff should lead this challenge by example.
So, his brother, Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy, no better prepared than the
thousands who would later “follow in his footsteps,” was the first to complete the 50 mile
challenge. He walked for nearly 18 hours in a pair of dress shoes in 20 degree weather,
perhaps under some of the worst conditions to attempt such a feat. Such personal heroics
spawned a 50-mile walk fad, an eye-opening example of what was humanly possible
if more of us used our imagination and pushed ourselves to the limit. This same New
Frontier, can-do era would lead to several other impressive innovations like space travel.

Ray Smith of Great Falls, Virginia, who leads walks in the Washington D.C. area and
Paul Kiczek, of Morris Township, New Jersey, founder of FreeWalkers.org, have issued a
challenge to the public to walk on February 9th. Many other long distance walkers have
promised to join them in Maryland and follow RFK’s 50-mile route of 50 years ago: A few
have committed to walk a portion of the distance with Kiczek and Smith. Some will walk
in other locations.

According to Smith, "The Kennedy brothers embodied the ‘can-do’ spirit of the times in
their cr

That's really an accomplishment. I've run in some smaller races and always have hoped to compete in a marathon someday. But running for three hours or so over 26 miles vs. walking for 18 hours??? For now, I'll stick to running. :)

We were wondering about pulling over and hiking to the Overlook Cliff from the C & O trail. Map is here
http://www.nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/upload/Md-Hts2011-2.pdf
but has anyone actually done this? It doesn't look far on the map, but I note all those elevation lines. Wonder how long it typically takes? And whether it can be done in the lighter gym shoes we use for cycling (not bringing heavy hiking boots on this trip).

My wife and I did this. I should note that this was done on a seperate vacation trip to Harper's Ferry, we were not biking. This was done a number of years ago so the memory is a little fuzzy. I do believe you should be o.k. with your shoes. I do remember it was a fairly steep trail but "steepness" is somewhat relative. I do remember working up a sweat...lol. My wife and I do not agree with how long it took. Again, we were on vacation and not in any hurry. We spent a good deal of time at the top.

One question for you. What are you going to do with your bikes while you are hiking? The trail is pretty busy along there. We do not remember seeing anywhere specifically to park your bikes. Just something to consider. Hope this helps

Um, there is a car parking lot at the bottom of the trail, and we thought there would be someplace to park the bikes there, locked to a tree if not an official bike rack?

There is a rack where you can lock your bikes near the Pedestrian Bridge on the C&O Side. And be sure to LOCK your bikes!

You will hiking up Maryland Heights. It is fairly steep, but sneakers should be okay. Take plenty of water. As you hike up the trail it eventually splits off to a left and right trail. The left trail takes you to the remains of the old Union Fort at the top of Maryland Heights. This trail is very rocky. Saw a rattlesnake on the trail.
Be sure to take the rightmost trail when you come to the Split. The entire hike may take a couple hours but when you reach the Vista it is worth it. Incredible views of Harpers Ferry and the Shenadoah and Potomac Rivers. It's beautiful!

This thread is awesome and absolutely deserves a bump! I have been to/stayed at Harpers Ferry at least five or six times previously, and never knew about the existence of this trail! I would always say to people, "Man, it would be cool to see the view from the top over there!" No one ever mentioned to me that a trail exists, and I guess that it's easy to miss the trailhead after a day of biking, when you're focused on getting across the bridge to the actual town. Awesome post, thanks!

I am planning an overnight trip on the C&O this upcoming weekend. Is it advised to follow caution regarding bears when storing food on the C&O or are there little issues with them on the trail? Thanks!

It's more likely that mice, and other small mammals, will get into your food than a bear. There's so many more of the little animals than bears it's a statistical likely hood.

If you are truly worried about bears you could purchase a can of bear spray.It works on bad people too.I carry a can.

Follow standard Bear Safety practices when in Bear Country, like how you store your food at Camp sites. If you see a Bear it will most likely be from Little Orleans, MD to points North/West on the Trail.
Bear Spray is an effective deterrent for Bears and it works on bad guys too. It's a large can and shoots a spray like Wasp spray does. Regular Mace has been found to work as well.
I personally carry both Bear Spray and Mace when on trails in remote areas.
Be safe out there!

One more thing. You can purchase Bear Spray at places like Gander Mountain and Cabelas. Usually it's back in the Firearms section. You may need to ask for assistance in finding it in some stores.

I'm not saying it couldn't happen but the odds of seeing a bear along the c&O are really slim and I agree the best area would be slightly east and west of Little Orleans (most remote section.) Instead of worrying about bear spray I'd suggest a bear canister to carry/store your food. There are several sizes available although you might need to strap it to your rear rack instead of in your panniers. Garcia Machine is one company that carries them. Check Rock Creek, Campsaver, Travel Country, or just do a web search.
I've been hiking/biking the c&O for close to 30 years, I've seen bear tracks a couple of times, heard of a few encounters, but have yet to see a bear along the route. Just keep a clean camp, hang your food, and you shouldn't have any problems.

I've seen Bear Tracks which were "fresh" along the River just past Little Orleans in the Past. On another occasion I saw a large Black Bear on the trail about a mile or so before the Paw Paw Tunnel. I carry a whistle with me because sometimes they will scatter if they hear a loud noise. The Bear did move on and headed back up the hillside. There were berries on a plant near the trail where I saw it. I'm always cautious when I see a Bear that Cubs may be close by. Since those 2 encounters (they were different days and months) I always carry Bear Spray. I saw a Ranger on patrol on another occasion and when I inquired about Bears he did mention that he had also seen Bears on the Trail. So they're out there.

Randy is right about carrying a whistle. Makes a lot more sense (at least to me) than trying to fumble around pulling out bear spray. Like I said, I've seen tracks and heard of a few encounters but have yet to be lucky enough to see a bear along the Towpath. Keep a clean camp, hang your food, and practice proper trail/camping etiquette.

One of our group saw a bear right at the Mason-Dixon Line. He was ahead of me and stopped. I caught up to him within 20 seconds and saw a black bear's backside running into the woods.

I know, this should not be something that anyone worries about...but it when one is splattered with mud, it is good to know what is available. First, before you leave home, be sure to pick up some all-in-one laundry sheets. These are dryer sheets infused with detergent. Pack a few in a ziplock bag and they lie flat taking up little room in a pannier. But they aren't easy to find, not every grocery carries them and you need to look very high or very low on the shelf to spot them. (The ones I use are from Purex.) This will save $$ on the trail because not every laundry room even has a vending machine. In Williamsport, some folks had to buy (and then abandon) a whole bottle of detergent at a convenience store.

The nicest place we ever did laundry was at the Yough Plaza in Ohiopyle. It has FOUR of each machine, plus two nice folding tables, comfortable chairs to sit, and a nice selection of reading material while you wait. It was open from 9-9ish and anyone can use it, you don't have to be a hotel guest--it is on the side of the building facing the trail.

I didn't mind waiting to do laundry at the 1-offs that were available other places, because the people using the machines ahead of me were riding the trail the opposite direction and we could talk...but one night it did delay me getting to bed on time. So the Ohiopyle set-up was a pleasure.

Another thing we learned about laundry was that laundering can take the waterproofing out of garments. Our jackets said, "powdered detergents only," and that's all we used...but it still ruined the waterproofing of one of them. Instead, one should use a special "Techwash" product made just for waterproof clothing, available from a sporting goods shop. Also, there are products to restore the waterproofing, and we picked some up at the bike store in Cumberland.

I hiked the C+O in 2011 and did laundry in 3 places. First was a Laundromat in Hancock, up the hill in a shopping center. Second place was at the Red Roof Inn in Williamsport, they had coin operated machines. And the third was at the hotel in Cumberland, the one right by the trail. And I didn't carry any laundry soap, it was available in all 3 places.

Good to know about the laundramat in Hancock.

It was the Red Roof Inn in Williamsport in fall 2013 that did not have the soap dispenser and only had one each of washer and dryer. Had some great conversations waiting, but it definitely took all night.

My wife, son and I ride from Pittsburgh to DC every year. I usually bring 1 pair of casual shorts - I can wear them around town, biking in the evening, swimming, etc., and two sets of riding clothes i.e. jersey, shorts, socks. We do laundry every other night and have generally found detergent-dispensing vending machines in each Laundromat. There's a Laundromat in Hancock, Harper's Ferry, and we used the one in our Georgetown hotel (free! ya!).

Looks like this would be a cool place to stay, but it is 11 miles of road riding off the trail, back into PA. Not ideal if you're trying to ride the trail the whole way like we are, but it may be suited for a good day trip. Would love to read comments from people who have stayed here.

Nice place. The food is good... not exceptional, but definitely good and priced right. Just what my family expected. The soup was really good and the pie and deserts were great. What really set this place apart was our waitress. She was very attentive, knowledgeable about the area, made us laugh, and even gave us pointers about how to deal with mosquitos on the trail (tie fabric softner sheets to your bike somewhere). Would not hesitate to return.

This place is spectacular... at least it was when it was run by the old owners. They were super accommodating to our group and the food was outstanding. It was closed last year, but the report is that it reopened in Feb 2015 under new ownership. I looked online and the menu is different, but looks good, and I'm inclined to try it.

Hello, within the next two weeks my fiancé and I are heading from Charlotte to Georgetown. We plan to complete the c&o and the gap, allowing ourselves 12-13 days total. My question is, where can we park our car for those 12-13 days in the Georgetown area? Looking for something safe, some-what cost efficient and fairly decent proximity of the towpath.

My apologies if there is already a thread on this, I went back to July of Last year and didn't see any discussions.

Thanks in advance!!

Has anyone used a one wheel trailer on the c and o. I am thing about using one to get weight off my bike. Or would it be more trouble than worth?

Trailers add another element to bike-packing and have many benefits/detriments.

You'll be adding weight. Trailers weigh about as much as 1/2 bike, easily, and the only thing they are really good for is hauling your stuff. They require some sort of coupler to connect to the bike and can change handling by causing "fishtailing". They also require a prudent traveler to carry a spare tube in case you have an issue with the tire, the size of which doesn't match your bike. Also, if they break down, you have to figure out how to move the trailer and gear to a place you can be picked up or repaired. You also have to transport the trailer to your drop-off point from your house and they don't always fit well on bike racks.

Benefits include, easy to put on a bike with no rack bosses, allows the tow bike to use lighter rims and you can take way more stuff than you'll probably need. They are pretty durable and I've seldom had handling issues. I rode the Katy last September with my 9yr old on a tandem with (2 wheel) trailer. We were able to use the trailer as a food prep/dining surface and as a cover over some of our gear that we wanted to keep dry during the rain. This particular trailer was a converted Burley kid-hauler that connects to the left chainstay with a clamp. It worked well and we couldn't have hauled all of our gear on the bike alone.

If I was traveling alone, I'd keep my gear on the bike and use racks/panniers regardless of how long the trip was. Travelling with another rider who may not be as strong, I'd happily pull a trailer.
From what I've heard, the 1 wheelers (BoB or similar) are best for the C&O. You have to determine if what you're bringing warrants purchase and towing of another "1/2 bike".
For a solo rider, I'd say no.

Hello, a couple years back i came across a man using a B.O.B. trailer on the c&o. I recommend you to check out his youtube, search "threewheeljourney" It was very helpful for me, his c&o videos were a few years ago so you'll have to go back through a few videos but totally worth it.

Hi folks! I am taking my 10yo from Meyersdle to Georgetown next week and would really love any trail condition updates. In particular, if there are any issues with water suply, i.e. pumps not working or any sections of trail that might be closed. Any issues with the hiker bikers or safety concerns? Anything at all will be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!
Dave

The C&O park service site is not listing any current closures or detours. Haven't seen anything on the GAP website or twitter feed. Haven't seen any issues reported while surfing the internet for trail news. Should be good. Have a great trip!

The only comment I have heard recently from guests (aside from "wow") was that the iodine taste in the hand pump water was very strong. I figure since they only put the handles on the pumps 2-3 weeks ago, they probably treated the water then so its still a bit strong. If you use the hand pumps, make sure you pump it enough to flush it. You don't know when the last time someone else pumped it, it might have been 24 hrs earlier and if you drink the water that was sitting in the pipe for 24 hrs it might taste a bit on the irony side. Enjoy your ride - right now the weather is lovely. Carol

Thanks Carol and John!

Ok guys I am planning on going from Cumberland to Georgetown. I will be doing it over July 3,4,5th. We are planning on camping the entire time and possibly the last night at a campground with shower. What are people using for securing the bikes while in towns eating, and overnight? I would assume a basic cable lock, but they aren't the best.

Has anyone had any issues leaving the bikes cable locked while in a restaurant along the trail or overnight at the camp? Do you remove your bags from the bikes while going into various establishments. I am new to the bike packing/touring thing. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I sometimes carry a light weight cable lock that came with my Yakima rack. Most times I don't use it but my bike/panniers are where I can see them while eating,etc. I seldom remove my panniers from my bike. They are waterproof Arkel's so they need less protection. I do remove my food bag and hang it or place in my tent depending on where I am. I do tend to keep a close eye on my stuff and generally act according to my surroundings. My bike is usually pretty close to my tent overnight. Hope this helps.

My wife and I do credit card camping, so I can't answer the overnight portion of your question....lol. We had the same concerns as you regarding eating, going into businesses, etc. In all of our riding, and not just the C&O/GAP, we have never had a problem. Our bikes are fully loaded on our trips. We will even leave our gloves and helmets on our bikes when we go inside. We do take our wallets & phones with us, however. Whenever possible we leave our bikes where we can see them or where they are out in the open. The way our paniers and bike bags are mounted to the racks would make it fairly hard to take them. I wish you the best on your ride. Let us know how it is goes.

I should have added this to my post above. When we stop for the night we do lock our bikes up with a cable lock. Many of the places we stay have a little barn or garage to keep the bikes. Even then, we run the cables through the wheels and frames and at least lock them together.

When I did venture into town (like Tony's Pizza Time Cafe in Williamsport, MD) and there was no bike rack, I just rested it against the outside of the restaurant. I always took my valuables inside with me and left the panniers on the bike. I sat right next to the window where the bike was resting to keep an eye on it. I usually tried to stop at places with bike racks or places I could securely lock up. At the hiker/biker sites I only locked at places where there was car parking. If it was a remote H/B site I did not lock at all.

I'll add one suggestion. When I put the panniers on my bike I always add two nylon ties to each one. The heaver ones that will need cut off. I also carry long ones for the wheels to frame. They are liter then carrying a lock for the entire trip and will stop a hit and run. If a pro wants your stuff, nothing is going to stop them. Just do what other people say, keep it close. The good news is, I have not heard or had any bad news regarding this issue. Take precautions then just don't worry it and enjoy your trip.

I agree, a lightweight cable plus a lock are what you need and always take your valuables off the bike when it will be out of sight. I simply stash my stuff in my handlebar bag. Beware of the drive in camping areas along the C & O. They are crowded on weekends but may be even less safe during the week when unoccupied.

Greg, just for your information there is a showerhead at the public restrooms in the Joseph Hancock City Park in Hancock, MD just off the WMRT. You can soak yourself good there but don’t recommend stripping down since there are no barriers or stalls, just wide open spaces. If you’re on the cheep you can get a shower at the C&O Bicycle shop right on the towpath and WMRT also in Hancock. I don’t recall how much it is but I am sure it can’t be more than say $5 per person. I believe you can also get a shower at the Harper’s Ferry Hostel in Knoxville, MD and do your laundry there also but best call ahead to find out for sure. Have a great adventure and enjoy the ride.

Lock it, lock it good, especially around Tourist Towns like Harpers Ferry.
Don't make things easy for a lowlife thief.

I stayed at Little Orleans campground for a night. The people where very nice and the showers were clean and the water hot. I walked down to Bill`s place for a hot dinner and a couple of beers. Since i was by myself they let me stay at the main campground and not where all the tents mainly are.
Also,,call ahead and make sure bike week isn`t going on. Hundreds of Harleys and people. Hope you have a great ride

If anyone is interested, I am riding solo from Pitt (mile 0) to DC in 5 days starting on Sunday, May 3rd at roughly 8AM. Day 1 to Ohiopyle (75mi), day 2 to Cumberland (75mi), day 3 to Hancock (60mi), day 4 to Harpers Ferry (60mi) and the last day to DC (60mi)... Would enjoy some company if anyone wants to join. Will be driving back from Reagan to PIT so would be willing to share the car space permitting.

Great intinerary! Those five stops were the exact locations of my first GAP/C&O trip. You should be in Hancock tonight. Hope you don't miss the Western Maryland Rail Trail (just before Hancock) which parallels the C&O for 22 gloriously paved miles. If not, you'll get the last half of it tomorrow morning from Hancock. Hope you're enjoying your trip!

Thanks, John. I'm happy to report it was a success. No flats, no issues...just great scenery and super nice people. Also happy to report that I didn't miss the WMRT either.

Great to hear Jerry! Happy to hear you caught the WMRT as well, it's such a nice diversion. I'm still trying to find a timeframe to do the trail this summer but hope to have it nailed down soon. Glad your trip was a success. John.