C&O Home  GAP Home
The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage
Georgetown/Washington Bethesda MD Potomac MD Seneca MD Poolesville MD Leesburg VA White's Ferry MD Point of Rocks MD Dickerson MD Brunswick MD Harpers Ferry WV Shepherdstown WV Sharpsburg MD Williamsport MD Downsville MD Big Pool MD Hancock MD Little Orleans MD Paw Paw WV Oldtown MD Cumberland MD Great Allegheny Passage C&O Canal Towpath Merchandise C & O Canal Towpath Trail Map
switch to GAP map Cumberland MD Frostburg MD Meyersdale PA Garrett PA Rockwood PA Markleton PA Ohiopyle PA Connellsville PA Perryopolis PA West Newton PA Buena Vista PA Confluence PA Harnedsville PA Dawson PA Smithton PA C&O Canal Towpath Sutersville PA Boston PA McKeesport PA Homestead PA Pittsburgh PA Great Allegheny Passage Merchandise Great Allegheny Passage Map
switch to C&O map

GAP trail conditions?
Go to Forum
C.H. from Central IL on 9/2/2021 8:25:13 AM:
With the recent weather and looking at recent posts, I'd expect the GAP trail to be pretty wet. We are traveling in from Illinois, planning to start tomorrow, 9/3, in West Newton and riding to Cumberland. Is the trail going to be rideable? Will campsites be usable or would they likely be super wet/muddy still?
Also, any suggestions on best options for getting a shuttle today or tomorrow from Cumberland back to West Newton?

This is our first backpacking trip and rather last minute due to our other weekend plans falling through, so hoping we can pull off this alt option!

Thanks!
 
AC from DC on 9/2/2021 12:47:30 PM:
While I don't know current conditions, I did bike through after a heavy storm in 2018 that flooded stretches of the towns along the trail. There was one detour through a back road for ~2 miles and I had to lift my bike over a couple of downed trees, but it was passable. I use a hammock for camping and found a covered 3-wall shelter I could hang up in without issue.
 
Bill in Houston from Houston on 9/2/2021 1:17:47 PM:
That sounds like a fun ride to me. I wouldn't worry about the trail.

With all of the rain and stores randomly closing for the long weekend, your food stops could get really hit or miss. Make sure to have plenty of food and water.

No idea on shuttles, sorry.
 
Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 9/2/2021 2:17:48 PM:
Contact the bike shop in Cumberland’s Canal Place on the trail about a shuttle. I understand all such shuttles are fairly costly.

With sunshine and dry weather today, I would not expect the GAP to be muddy tomorrow. There will be some soft spots and maybe a few puddles here and there, particularly in shady areas. Many of the camping areas along the GAP have Adirondack shelters. In Meyersdale at the Maple Festival Campground, there are some covered areas that will be dry.

Riding the GAP starting tomorrow won’t be the best/ideal conditions but they should be quite rideable and generally decent.
 
Sarah from Denver on 9/4/2021 3:02:56 PM:
It’s in good shap, although some sandy spots and ruts between Frostburg and Cumberland. We biked Ohiopyle-Meyersdale Thursday and Meyersdale-Cumberland yesterday.
 
Kevin from Wisconsin on 9/5/2021 10:57:13 AM:
Sarah..if you could update on the C&O trail conditions as you make progress, it would be much appreciated. Specifically Culvert 82 at MP 52.5 (just past Brunswick). ..thx..

We're riding both trails in a couple weeks..
 
FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!
More info: C&O Home C&O Map Trip Planner Travel Timeline Forum Towns & Services Mileage Chart Events Trail Merchandise Search Advertise Contact Us
 
By using this website, you agree to the Terms and Conditions.
how this website uses cookies
This information may not be copied or reproduced in any way.
© Copyright 2024 BikeCandO. All rights reserved.
BikeCandO and BikeCandO.com are registered trademarks.