Reply to March C&O trail conditions?

Rode GAP last year sections at a time, and am hoping to ride C&O sections starting March 2021. I found a site with some ferry and visitor center closures and some high water warnings for the canal. Looking for information on the trail conditions and recommendations of a area to start ( I’ll find an Airbnb) to ride about 20 miles each way and back on gravel bikes in March.

Option 1: Start in Little Orleans and ride the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) that parallels and is within site of the C&O Towpath itself. The paved WMRT is maybe 23 or 24 miles long. You can stop in Hancock which is about half way along the route. You could then ride back along the natural Towpath itself back to Little Orleans.

Option 2: Start in Shepherdstown and ride to Brunswick and back. Nice trail surface with places to visit and park on either end. That trip is a little less than 20 miles but if you go across the river into Shepherdstown itself, then you'd be at 20 or a little more.

Option 3: Start at White's Ferry and ride to Great Falls. This is a tad over 20 miles each way with places to park on both ends and with interesting sites at each, assuming the ferry resumes operation.

The trail conditions from Shepherdstown to Edwards Ferry are quite good even in rainy weather. The balance of the Towpath is what it is especially in wet weather.

Others will no doubt have other suggestions or favorites for a ride of that length. Lastly, I would avoid the Paw Paw Tunnel area of the trail unless you want to use your gravel bikes for mountain biking of the detour over the closed tunnel path.

Thank you very much! I like all three options and will undoubtedly do all over time! I’ve already started looking for a safe place to rent.

In Little Orleans the Town Hill B&B was a nice place to stay, or it was 3 or 4 years ago when I was there. The Owner/Operator (Dave) was older and was selling the place to his daughter. It is a way up and off the trail but they had a trailer and came down to 15-Mile Creek to pick us and our bikes up.

I know there is a large, resort-like hotel in Shepherdstown. I'm sure there are some quaint places to stay there as well.

At Whites Ferry you'll probably have to go the 5 or so miles to Leesburg to find a place to stay. The old portion of Leesburg might be an interesting place to look to stay. I've stayed in some of the chain hotels in the newer part of town there as well but they weren't anything special.

I'm sure with more research such as what you are doing, you can find some decent places stay near those places.

Thank you. Although I often stay in hotels and B&Bs, due to the pandemic, I will be staying in a rental property hopefully within a few miles of the trail.

I would use Harpers Ferry as your base and go east and west. They trail is improved there and you’ll have good chance of finding a rental in HF.