Reply to Trail Conditions

I'm riding DC to Pittsburgh; left Monday morning from Georgetown. Lots of mud! Had to stop and clean my derailleurs at just about every camp ground because I couldn't shift anymore due to mud accumulation. Stopped at Harpers Ferry for first night at Town Inn. Yes, carrying a loaded bike up the stairs is hard work! Harpers Ferry is nice after every one leaves for the day - you have the place to yourself. Left this morning for Hancock. Ran into mud quickly - no surprise as it rained last night (again!). Deviated off C&O onto Western Maryland Rail Trail - 12 miles of paved trail from which you can actually see the C&O and right into Hancock. Staying at Super 8 tonight - cheap, clean and a free breakfast. As soon as I was in my room a terrific Thunder & Lightning storm passed through the area. I can imagine how muddy the C&O is again! Tomorrow will take the remainder of the Rail Trail (about 10 miles) to connect to the C&O. If super muddy may deviate off onto Rt 51 past Paw Paw tunnel.
BTW I talked to some folks eastbound on Monday at White's Ferry and they were getting off the trail, going to Leesburg and then picking up another trail into DC - they were fed up with the mud. I talked to another eastbound rider today in Hancock and he is thinking of bypassing the remaining C&O and going on W. Md Rail Trail to local highways til connecting with the Harpers Ferry Rd to get to Harper Ferry.
Perfectly doable though I suspect he will run into some hills away from the river. I'll post again asap.