Reply to GAP-C&O

Just back from a GAP-C&O tent blast.
I left PGH Wed morn and stopped in Confluence for the night at the Army Corps park or something. Since it’s a National park thing, being old has advantages.. was only $7.. for a tent.
Aaahhh.. sleep.
Woke up Thursday morn to cold and rain. It’s Part of the adventure!
Up I go.. rain all day. Snow on the trail long between Rockwood and Myersdale… on the trail.. not just the area.
Blasted through to Cumberland and beyond!.. stopping in Cumberland long enough for a quick meal at the BBQ place there.. then onward just to Evitts Creek to set up camp for the night.
Minor issues on GAP.. no closures or detours.. that I recall.
Friday morning.. nice, but cool weather.
Oh, Big Savage tunnel is open.. lots of wild natural beauty on that trail but slogging through the mushy, snow gravel.. I was happy to be able do 7-8 mph for quite a few miles.
Some trees down but nothing major.
C &O was a different story.
PawPaw tunnel is closed and requires a hard 1.5 mile climb up and over! Be prepared with shoes.
Up a rocky, rutted single-track.. exceeding 10%!
Then Down a muddy, wet, slippery mess.. but part of the adventure.
I stopped in Cumberland Valley HB site.
The Hiker-Biker sites are pretty nice.
All handles are on.. except Little Pool.
This morning, Saturday, somewhere near mile 94, there is a trail closure and detour.. up and around to MM 88. It added about 10 to the trip. Don’t do it at night!
A few other minor ‘detours’ but nothing terrible… a few trees down.
4 long days and one heck of a ride!
If you have specific questions, ask fast before I forget.

Thanks for that summary as I prepare to do the trip in a few days albeit in the other direction. Aside from the snow, the rest of the trip sounds like what I encountered last Fall including the Paw Paw and McMahon’s Landng detours.

The snow is not all that unusual in April especially at those upper elevations of Rockwood and Meyersdale.

Did you make your reservation at the campground in Confluence online or were you able to simply pay on arrival? Was the shower house open there?

Reservation was made with assistance from the camp hostess, there.
Yes, all facilities were working.
It’s a nice spot to layover.
Yeah.. the snow. C’est la vie ou c’est la guerre?
Part of the adventure!
I rode this trip on a Trek 520 with Schwalbe marathon plus.
And aside from filth, no issues.
Oh, the trail east of Swains Lock into DC.. soooo hard on my eyes, and tail.
Those rocks! Ugghh!

But, again, the biggest HURDLE is PawPaw tunnel, but maybe if you approach in a non-workday, you can walk through, but it looked like they are replacing the Timbers inside.
Careful!

A little more for those that haven’t done these trails.
I saw: deer, snakes, scary large snapping turtles, myriad other turtles, a gazillion birds, owls and falling to sleep with the sound of frogs singing is what camping is about!

How about the trains at night not just the frogs. :-)

I’m surprised about the rocks east of Swain’s Lock. They have never seemed to be an issue in the past

The ‘rocks’ are roundish, embedded into the trail. Great for walking but hard on a tired, sore biking body on a steel, unsuspended frame. It felt like baby cobblestones.
??
And I don’t mind the trains, actually. It makes me think of older days for some reason.
And who doesnt like a train anyway?
The engineers are friendly and when pedaling, will wave or even toot a hello.

Four days!? You, sir, are a monster.

…and through the snow!

Oh, thank you. That’s kind.
In fact, it was a training/challenge to see what I can do because on May 22, I leave for a solo XC from McLean, VA to SF to raise money for Alzheimer’s.
So, I was testing myself as well as my rig.
In the meantime, if someone is near DC and needs help, I can be reached at tbrduc@gmail.com.
I have tools and skills.

Tom:

Since you are from Vienna which the WOD runs through, did you get off of the C&O to transfer to the WOD and, if so, where, since the Whites Ferry is not operating?

No sir, I did not exit the C and O.
I went in to Georgetown then up Martha Curtis trail (rte 66) to W and OD.
But I DID consider coming across Point of Rocks..
While I have used Whites Ferry in the last, as you stated, it’s not an option now.
PoR, 15 into Leesburg is the only other choice and 15 is really narrow to share with cars and trucks.

Tom:

Since you are from Vienna which the WOD runs through, did you get off of the C&O to transfer to the WOD and, if so, where, since the Whites Ferry is not operating?

Tom - What a great trip report. Thanks for sharing it with this forum.

You must be stoked to get going on your XC trip, DC to SF. Sounds like a little C&O, TransAmerica and….Western Express? Intriguing route! We’d love to hear about your adventure if you don’t mind sharing.

John

@Rivnuts: I think I answered your question about White’s Ferry.
@John: yea.. I’m stoked and nervous while I gather up my gear. Soon, I’ll post. Link to the Alz.org site that will allow updates and donations if folks want. I decided to let someone else do some thinking for me, so I’m following AdvCycle TAT and W Express.. yes. Look, I do like the C&O nd GAP, but.. I want smooth asphalt, as much as possible.
And their routes are proven and tested.
Thanks for the encouragement.
I’m not the oldest here, but I’m no spring chicken either, having qualified for the Federal Parks Senior pass.

Tom:

I'm envious of your impending TAT ride albeit I don't think I'd be confident enough to do it solo. I look forward to the link to Alz.org and your experience. I rode the Natchez Trace with a retired Air Force officer from the DC area that was prepping to do that same ride. At the conclusion of this TAT he sent a summary of his trip. He said it was all he had hoped it would be especially meeting all the kind and generous people along the route. I trust you will have a similar and safe experience.

Curiously, how many days do you plan for the trip to take?

This may show up several times.. not sure what’s going on.. I’m doing something wrong on this otherwise awesome site.Anyway, congrats on doing the Natchez Trace!
I’m allowing for as much as 70 days but am targeting 60.
I know there are a few hills between Virginia and San Francisco.
The url might be hanging up my responses, but if you go to Alz dot Org slash Ride and look for Spokes Series, you will see my activity.
Toms Cross Country