The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage

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Reply to C&O surface

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Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va. on 7/29/2013 1:39:04 PM:

I've done several multi day (3-5) rides along the Passage/C&O. I understand fully that the Passage was a rail line and the C&O was a towpath. Hence the difference in trail surface and grading. I'd really like to see the NPS consider making the towpath more user friendly. I know that a lot of people might disagree but my thought is that by grading and installing cruser run/limestone the trail would be apt to draining more effciently and the problems with erosion and ruts might be corrected. I don't feel that this would take away from the historical aspect. I do think it might help perserve the trail. Not looking to start a firestorm just wondering what people think.

Anonymous on 7/29/2013 5:03:43 PM:

All I will say is when I rode it in the rain the trail got miserably muddy and I got tired of puddle jumping.It just wasn't a fun ride at that point. Rideable but not fun.

JJB from Fairmont, WV on 7/29/2013 8:35:52 PM:

We have had this discussion with some folks in Cumberland who are associated with the trail town project and the TrailBook. The C&O is a national park and they, (the park), want to keep it the way it is, as much as possible. The trail town folks want to see it developed, as in a business model. Easier passage on the trail they claim will bring more people to it and therefore more people will learn about the national park...everyone wins. Personally I'm on the fence about this. When I am on the C&O I sure do wish it was smoother and dry but when I look back, (through rose colored glasses??), the mud puddles, rocks and roots are what make it the C&O! and not just another trail running by a river.

Paul from Quincy, IL on 8/2/2013 7:03:07 PM:

"The C&O is a national park and they, (the park), want to keep it the way it is, as much as possible."

I can understand not wanting vacation homes, condominiums, water parks, motor home parking lots, etc. springing up along the canal. But why would they object to maintaining the towpath to a higher standard. The cost perhaps?

Roy from Middletown, OH on 8/2/2013 7:53:09 PM:

What would Yosemite be without tremendous, mountainous trails: too difficult to hike for many? Want to hike Yosemite? Get in shape, strap on your pack and get ready to sweat!!Should trails be graded to be made more accessible? Escalators installed? Moving conveyors as in an airport? Historic relates to the preserving of the way it was, not catering to the needs of economic engines or those who find themselves out of their comfort zone. The trail is the way the trail was! Enjoyable, but perhaps not always fun.

Stillridng from Pittsburgh, PA. on 8/2/2013 11:47:35 PM:

Only my opinion. If they don't up grade the C&O (in some sections) they will lose some of it in the next 15 to 25 years. I have only ridden a total of about 100 miles of the towpath and while all the sections where ride-able some sections of the canal was so grown in with trees it did not look like anything existed except a path. What good will it be if that happens. Riding past a lock and a lock house that had been restored was so much nicer then one that was not. Up grading the towpath would mean that a lot more people or families could see the history of the towpath first hand. I don't want to see the history disappear.

Paul A on 8/3/2013 9:26:21 PM:

Keep in mind that the passage is a lot newer than the C+O. In 50 years they may look the same, who knows.

Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va on 8/6/2013 6:05:43 PM:

I'm a thru hiker of the Appalachian Trail. And have hiked several other trails as well. I fully understand "strapping on a pack or straddling a bike and just accepting what the given trail has to offer. My thought was preservation and presentation. Proper maintenance would help preserve the C&O in a useable condition that wouldn't promote more damage. And proper upkeep would allow more usage by a wider group. As I stated I understand the historical significance and I imagine that the money isn't there for vast improvements. I have no problem with the strenuousness of riding the trail and seldom take the elevator or escalator if stairs are available.

B One on 10/3/2013 5:40:21 PM:

I just completed a ride from Pittsburgh to DC along the GAP and C & O towpath. I'm not sure why you would want to change the surface. There are plenty of sidewalks and roads for riding if you require a smooth surface. The Towpath is a unique and interesting destination. Changing the surface to make it easier for a few folks to ride would be disappointing. IMHO

Greg K from Chicago on 10/4/2013 10:21:53 AM:

How was the C&O? Did the closure affect you or did you get clear before it hit?

Paul A on 10/6/2013 10:57:58 PM:

Let me play devil's advocate here.
Wouldn't upgrading the surface of the C+O be like paving roads in the more famous national parks? That's what allows people to drive in and enjoy all there is to enjoy. Personally, it was fine from a hiker's point of view. Maybe more of us ought to walk it, as the mules did :)

Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va. on 10/7/2013 6:09:14 PM:

B1, I didn't ask for a sidewalk or smooth road. If you'd taken the time to read and understand my post you'd realize that my concerns/thoughts were based solely on preservation and continued use of this popular trail. I've logged close to 6000 miles of Rails To Trails, single track/fire roads, and very little road miles. I've seen trails in the Smokey Mt National Park that through continued use/misuse were rutted as deep as 3'. I'm not talking about "making the trail easy for a few people" I'm talking about the future of the C&O. There are several stretches between Cumberland and Little Orleans that were pretty rough with 4"-6" ruts and large patches of mud that over time will just get worse.

Naismith from Florida on 10/22/2013 10:38:47 AM:

We rode a lot on the C & O in the rain--Little Orleans to Cumberland. Maybe partly due to our tires, but I never felt that I was going to slip, even going through water. The undersurface was sound.

By comparison, I was very unhappy with the GAP between Ohiopyle and Connellsville. There were patches of loose gravel that were very dangerous. I nearly lost control several times. Maybe they were planning on using a machine to press the gravel into place better--but it was scary as it was.

stillriding from Pgh. on 10/23/2013 10:24:55 AM:

Hi Naismith, I enjoy reading comments and everyone has different views and I respect that. But after reading your last comment I had to LOL, for that I am sorry. Calling the GAP dangerous and scary and the C&O sound was just too funny to me. Both trails for the most part are level and on a solid base. Now I would agree that the dangerous and scary part would come into play if you would go too far left or right and go over the hillside into the river or canal. Well keep riding and keep that sunny side up. These are all just our opinion and we mean well.

Anonymous on 10/23/2013 3:46:04 PM:

I dont think anybody is wanting a total facelift of the TOWPATH, just simply filling in the ruts with a few shovels of gravel would suffice in my opinion. Dont change it, just help it a little bit for people who get tired of riding in mud pulddles all day when it rains.

Naismith from Florida on 10/23/2013 7:02:33 PM:

To be fair, I was not comparing the entire surface of each trail. I specifically found that there were several sections of large loose gravel on the stretch between Ohiopyle and Connellsville that was scary, because it was very slippery and I felt myself starting to lose control several times. I'm a bicycle commuter, so I deal with a lot of different terrain, and I was riding fairly wide Kenda Kross tires that should have dealt with the gravel as well as anything, but it was still slippery.

I realize that we were there late in the season, and this gravel looked new--it could be that machinery was going to come along later to pulverize, grind, or smooth it into place before next summer's season.

But one can be hurt by taking a tumble on a loaded bike, even if it doesn't mean falling over a cliff.

Anonymous on 10/24/2013 6:31:21 AM:

Not to dismiss how you saw the trail, Im just wondering if you just happened to be there a day when they were working on a section of it because I honestly cant remember having any problems thru that area this year.Bet its fine now.

Anonymous on 10/28/2013 3:21:44 PM:

The C&O Canal Trail is prone to extensive flooding throughout the entire system. Any attempt to make it into a rail trail with limestone, etc, would be a waste of money because it would wash out in just one season.
**
In today's budget conscious Congress good luck getting funding to make annual repairs. In fact, most of those Tea Baggers would probably like to pull all funding for all parks and recreation.
Let's just keep the historical integrity of the C&O and be happy with the funding we do get. I once asked the Park Service to expand Parking at Little Orleans and the response was that though they would love to expand parking, there is no funding to accomplish it.
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As I mentioned earlier the C&O is prone to extensive Flooding so any investment could wash out in one season. We're darn lucky we were able to get the improvements (after many years) at Big Slackater and you can thank TARP money for that.
Your idea is a good one, but not practical for a 184 mile trail system that borders the Potomac River.

Anonymous on 10/28/2013 3:29:07 PM:

If anyone feels there should be improvements and see the need to clean up debris and fill in mud holes, etc., please feel free to volunteer and help out. Volunteers do most of the heavy lifting on the C&O and they work very hard at it. If any of you are volunteers, thank you!
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Please consider volunteering your time to assist in trail maintenance.

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