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The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage
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Condition of Trail


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Cathy from Churchill from Churchill, PA on 3/17/2025 12:09:32 AM:
Has anyone been on the GAP on parts that are chat and unpaved (which I think is most of the trail starting east of McKeesport)? I'm looking forward to get back out on the trail. In past years when I tried to bike unpaved trails around this time of the year I found the surfaces like wet cement. Any pointers on when the surfaces will be less "soupy" would be appreciated.
 
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/17/2025 4:16:23 PM:
Aside from after lots of rain when the trail is soft, I have found trail conditions can/will be soft so long as we are still experiencing daily freeze/thaw conditions. Such conditions often occur through the month of March. The shaded portions of the trail are usually the softest. Once the daily temps stay above freezing it’s usually just the rain that softens the trail.
 
Cathy from Churchill from Churchill, PA on 3/19/2025 12:46:09 AM:
Thanks Rivnuts, that's what I suspected. May, sun and a solid trail will be here soon.
 
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