Can't miss site-seeing opportunities on the GAP/C&

Planning a West to East of the GAP/C&O in late May-early June (starting Pittsburgh May 29th) with a couple friends and we don't want to miss a thing! We will be B&B’g with planned stops in Ohiopyle (1 extra day to mountain bike), Cumberland, Hancock, Harper’s Ferry and Georgetown. Besides the published known areas of interest along the route, which ones aren't worth the climb/miles/time and which are? Does anyone know of any hidden gems or little known places considered can’t miss opportunities? Bars, restaurants or bike shops? How about local mountain bike trail systems nearby?

We would love to know these places before we go because we don’t want to get home and someone ask: Did you see/go to the (insert cool place or site here) when you were in so-and-so?

Thanks in advance!

Some of my favorite things are:

--Many people forget to locate Mile Marker 0! It’s about 3/10’s of a mile from the end of the Canal trail in Georgetown. Look for the Thompson Boat Center. I used this video to remember it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kzs51zRsSY

--After Mile 0, I head over to the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall for some celebratory pictures. It's always buzzing with people so it has a great vibe to wrap up your trip and reflect on your accomplishment. DC is very cyclist friendly.

--Along the Youghiogheny River and hearing the white water rafters howling with delight. I also like the sounds the trains make blowing their horns far off in the distance (but I hate them when I camped in Rockwood...the campground is right across the river from where the trains cross at grade and they have to lay on their horns all night by law. Hard to get used to!).

--All of the small towns have places to grab supplies or a bite to eat. Shepherdstown took me by surprise at how nice it was. Harper’s Ferry is very nice. Went off trail to Williamsport, MD to eat lunch one day.

--Sheetz Made to Order! If stopping in a town with one of these convenience stores, I usually grab a made-to-order sub sandwich and pack it in some grocery bags with some ice I gathered from the soda machine so I can woof it down at camp. Awesome. GetGo’s now have similar cafe’s with the same type of made-to-order take out foods (subs, wraps, burgers, etc.).

--Swimming at Ohiopyle State Park is cool and refreshing (and free).

--The "Chicken Coop" bunks in the back of C&O Bicycle shop in Hancock, MD. Caged in, open air sleeping accommodations with bunks and showers right along the C&O and Western Maryland Rail Trail. I always lock my bike up inside and head into town knowing everything is safe.

Some more things to like about the trail:

--Great Falls at Mile 14 on the C&O. Love the raw noise the falls creates. Beautiful.

--There are ample free campgrounds along the C&O Canal every 5-10 miles. Just a great resource to have. Pump water, port-a-john, fire-pit, table. All Hiker/Biker sites are free. Just arrive and claim a spot. There are only four free camping areas along the GAP (but not spaced evenly…four sites within 33 miles of each other between Miles 89 and 122 but none before or after). Clearly not as many as the C&O but that’s because it’s an old rail trail whereas the C&O is a national historic park.

--I usually always see a huge Blue Heron at some point along the C&O.

--I kind of like the all of the noise and buzz of the trail in Pittsburgh from Point State Park to about Homestead. Since the majority of the trail is pretty quiet, this is a stark contrast to the rest of the trail and makes for a nice change. Hot Metal Bridge is a beautiful bridge to cross.

--Western Maryland Rail Trail. 22 miles that parallel the C&O before and after Hancock, MD. Did I mention its paved asphalt? :-) It's a nice break from all of the tree roots and rocks that the C&O dishes out. It's nice to just pedal and daydream and not worry about dodging everything the canal can offer.

--Bring a light or headlamp for the tunnels! Some are just amazing.

--If in Pennsylvania and buying beer in town to take back to your camp site, beware of our archaic sales laws! Six-packs, 12-packs, or individual bottles can be bought at bars or restaurants only! Yes….you will walk into a bar/restaurant and cozy up to the bar/cashier and they will have 6/12 packs in a cooler behind the bar for sale. Some exceptions have been made recently. Certain convenience/grocery stores are acquiring special licenses to sell beer but they are a rare find. “Beer Distributors” can only sell cases or kegs and cannot sell you a portion of it or anything like that. Those won’t be easy to carry on bicycles! ?

Also, don't forget the Western Maryland Rail Trail! This is a paved 22.5 mile trail that runs parallel to the C&O. Many people welcome this respite from the tree-roots, rocks, and puddles of the canals dirt path.

If coming from Pittsburgh, the exact mile marker is C&O Mile 136.3. A small connector path puts you at the western terminus of the WMRT, Mile 22.5. As you head east, you will pass through Hancock, MD and head towards WMRT Mile 0. There are seven other connection points if you happen to miss the ones on the each end. The last chance to get back onto the C&O is at WMRT Mile 0.75 (about 3/4 of a mile shy of Mile 0 and the eastern terminus of the WMRT). Basically once you pass WMRT Mile 1, keep an eye out for your turn off. When reentering the C&O, you’ll be at C&O Mile 114.5.

If coming from DC, the exact mile marker is C&O 114.5. This connects you to the eastern terminus of the WMRT (Mile 0.75). As you head west, you pass through Hancock, MD and head towards WMRT Mile 22.5. It dead ends there and you can see the little connector path to the C&O which puts you at C&O Mile 136.3.

Both are marked but I wouldn't say "clearly" marked. If you reach WMRT Mile 0, you've gone too far and need to backtrack approx. 3/4ths of a mile to get to the C&O connection point. WMRT Mile 0 just dead ends into local streets but there is no way to get back to the C&O from there. Did I mention this is a paved trail? :-)

Correction: Beer distributors in Pa may by law sell six and 12 packs.

Thanks for the suggestions John W! Noted and I'm sure some will be added to our cue sheet.

Also interested to know if there are any mountain bike trail systems (besides the Ohiopyle trails) that are close and worth side tripping to do.

Lenny's right...a new law took affect Jan 1, 2017 allowing distributors to sell 6-12 packs. Finally!! This is long overdue. I don't typically shop for my beer at these stores as I have options that were already allowed to sell 6-12 packs. I'll have to check my local one out now to see what they're selling now.

Speaking of beer, the GAP/C&O needs a map of all carry out beer sales locations within 1/2 mile of the trail. Ha ha. ;-)

Nothing better than a beer after driving all day.

I know I mentioned to bring a light for the tunnels but you'll need it also for the campsites also. Many parts of the C&O are very rural, covered with heavy tree foliage, and far enough away from the city lights. How dark? As in "I can't see my hand in front of my face" dark. You do not want to arrive at camp trying to set up a tent with just your iPhone. ;-)