Reply to 28Mar22: Current GAP and C&O Conditions?

Hello all! Looking for any info you can provide for latest trail conditions. I will be biking from Cleveland, OH to Chesapeake VA starting 10Apr22, and will be taking the the GAP + C&O. Is the Big Savage and PawPaw tunnels open? are Water pumps unlocked yet for the season? thanks again for your insight!

It has been reported that the Big Savage Tunnel will be opened on April 1. I've not seen any indication that the exit of the Paw Paw Tunnel has been reopened obviating the need to take the bypass up and over the tunnel.

The C&O website that all the pumps at hiker/biker campsites along the C&O are currently off.

Remote Water Faucet List

On Fletcher's Cove (MM 3.21)
Off Lock 5 (MM 5)
Off Lock 10 (MM 8.8)
Off Carderock Recreation Area (MM 10.5)
Off Marsden Tract (MM 11.5)
Off Anglers Access (MM 12.2)
On Great Falls Tavern Restrooms (MM 14.3)
Off Swains Lockhouse (MM 16.64)
Off Swains Campground (MM 16.7)
Off Seneca Creek/Rileys (MM 22)
Off Horsepen Branch Campsite (MM 26)
Off Chisel Branch Campsite (MM 30.5)
Off Turtle Run Campsite (MM 34.4)
Off Marble Quarrry Campsite (MM 38.2)
Off Indian Flats (MM 42.4)
Off Calico Rocks Campsite (MM 47.7)
Off Bald Eagle Island Campsite (MM 50.3)
On Lock 34 (MM 61.5)
Off Huckleberry Hill Campsite (MM 62.9)
Off Antietam Creek Campground (MM 69.6)
Off Killiansburg Cave Campsite (MM 75.4)
Off Horseshoe Bend Campsite (MM 79.7)
Off Big Woods Campsite (MM 82.4)
Off Opequon Junction Campsite (MM 90.8)
Off Cumberland Valley Campsite (MM 95.2)
Off Cushwa Basin Restrooms (MM 99.7)
Off Jordan Junction Campsite (MM 101.2)
Off Four Locks Picnic Area (MM 108.9)
Off North Mountain Campsite (MM 109.2)
Off McCoys Ferry (MM 110)
Off Licking Creek Campsite (MM 116)
Off Little Pool Campsite (MM 120.7)
Off White Rock Campsite (MM 126.5)
Off Leopards Mill (MM 129.9)
Off Cacapon Junction (MM 133.6)
Off Indigo Neck (MM 139)
Off Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (MM 140.9)
Off Devils Alley (MM 144.5)
Off Stickpile Hill Campsite (MM 149.3)
Off Sorrel Ridge Campsite (MM 154.1)
Off Arbaugh (MM 155) - Out of Service until further notice.
Off Paw Paw (MM 156)
Off Purslane Run Campsite (MM 156.9)
Off Town Creek (MM 162)
Off Potomac Forks (MM 165)
Off Pigmans Ferry (MM 169)
Off Spring Gap (MM 173)
Off Irons Mountain Campsite (MM 175.4)
Off Evitts Creek Campsite (MM 180)
Off Cumberland Visitor Center (MM 184.5)

I am curious what bike route you are taking from Cleveland to Pittsburgh?

Solid feedback! thank you so much!

Cleveland to Bolivar OH via Ohio-Erie Towpath Canal Trail
--Zoar Valley Trail to Zoarville, OH
--Road/gravel roads to Bowerston OH
--Conotton Creek Trail to Jewett OH
--Road to Steubenville OH
--Pick up the Panhandle trail in WV to Montour trail in PA,
---Connect to Gap trail in Mckeesport.

thats the rough plan!

Thanks again for your help!

JLacho49:

Thanks for that route info from Cleveland especially the Ohio portions as I am quite familiar with the Panhandle and Montour Trails as well as the GAP and C&O. FYI, there are no campsites on the Panhandle Trail aside from stealth camping and only a couple on the Montour Trail in route to McKeesport. Aside from purchasing water, there are virtually no pumps/faucets along the Panhandle and Montour Trails that you will be taking. The first campground on the GAP would be at Dravo Landing which normally has potable well water there. There may also be city water in McKeesport and Boston, PA if it has been turned on by then.

What date do you think you'll hit the GAP at Pittsburgh?
I'll be starting my thru trip to DC 4/17/22.

Kim,
I should be through and into Cumberland by Monday. I’ll report back the trail conditions once I’m done. Good luck!

Thanks. That would be really helpful.
Looking at the 14 day weather forecast, it looks like rain for my first 3 days.
Enjoy your trip.