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wnybubba from Bflo/Roc NY on 7/15/2021 9:05:35 AM:
I'm a bit confused here... if I understand correctly, it is wise to take the WMT rather than staying on the C&O. Looking at the map it appears that there aren't very many places to get to and from the C&O once you have made the WMT commitment. I'm looking at an overnight at Little Pool and see that I should be able to get back to the C&O in Hancock, but I'd have to back-track to get back to the WMT in the AM. It just doesn't appear that there are any places to re-connect between the two trails. Am I correct here? [I'll add to this question that I'm assuming that there are not places along the WMT to camp. Is that correct?]

 
Willy from Alexandria,VA on 7/15/2021 11:06:24 AM:
Hello
There are connectors between the C&O canal and the Western Maryland Rail Trail approximately every 3 or 4 miles over the 27 mile length of the WMRT.

There are no camping sites along the WMRT proper, but combined with the existing connectors between the C&O and the WMRT one can get off one trail to get to the other without riding back to Hancock from Little Pool.

The Department of Natural Resources of the State of Maryland has a nice map of the relationship between the C&O canal and the WMRT on their website.

https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/wmrt.aspx

 
John W. from Pittsburgh,PA on 7/18/2021 5:44:22 PM:
WNYBubba: You can connect to the WMRT at Little Orleans on High Germany Rd. Either go up the road till you reach the trail or go under the little tunnel and turn left up to the WMRT parking lot right before Bills Place and connect there. You can see from this map here:
https://www.westernmarylandrailtrail.com/map-extension

Also, you can switch between trails at Pearre, Little Pool, Mile Marker Lane, and a few of the dams. The last one, Ernstville Rd., is your last chance to connect to the C&O. After you pass MM 1, be on the lookout for Ernstville Rd. It will be there in about two tenths of a mile after. Turn right and go 100 yards and go on to the dirt path that takes you to C&O. If you reach Mile 0 of the WMRT you’ve gone too far. The interchange is about at MM 0.8.

All free hiker/biker sites are on the C&O, not on the WMRT but you’re always close to an interchange to a campsite.

 
John W. from Pittsburgh,PA on 7/18/2021 7:26:29 PM:
And there are interchanges at Hancock of course!

 
wnybubba from Bflo/Roc NY on 7/22/2021 8:10:51 PM:
Great info -- thanks. Leaving tomorrow for Homestead and heading east to DC. Luckily I have a friend in Arlington that I'll be able to stay with once in DC -- hopefully get there on Thursday. Train out on Monday. -bubba

 
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 7/22/2021 9:10:26 PM:
As I live in Homestead, I'm sorry I can't welcome you to Pittsburgh and ride a few miles out of town. I'm leaving to ride in Ohio tomorrow morning. Have a great ride. The weather looks good for the next few days.