Canceled?

I had planned on doing a solo trip (west to east) of the GAP/C&O at the end of May. I felt that even under current circumstances, doing the trip solo was still with-in guidelines. figured I would just make arrangements to cary a little more food & water than I had planned. However, it looks like under CDC recommendations I'm going to have to cancel or at least postpone until fall.

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
All campgrounds along the C&O are now closed.

I recognize that things could change in the next 6-7 weeks, but it looks like I'll be social distancing at home rather than on the trail.

Bummer. I was scheduled for June, the same direction, and although I haven’t cancelled yet, I’m probably gonna pull the plug very soon. We’ll see how this plays out but I’m not hopeful at this moment in time.

Interestingly, I contacted the Westnoreland County PA offices yesterday as to whether Cedar Creek Park currently allows overnight camping which I am considering for a solo day trip albeit with very conservartive social distancing and hygiene. They responded that the park and camping area is still open without any specific exceptions about restrooms and faucets.

Of course that is only one possible camping site along the trail . Other potential campsites including the National Park Service would have to be researched for at the time of trave for availability and water. Even more problematic would be the availability of other services including restaurants, delis, B&B's, bike shops, etc. as well as transportation to or from origin and destination cities..

If one were planning to make the trip self-supported and recognizing some likely atypical nconveniences, (AND RISKS) it may be possible. Earlier and more detailed research, planning and provisioning will be necessary. Lastly, conservative social distancing and hygiene would still be appropriate which may make the trip somewhat less enjoyable.

I, myself, am cautiously optimistic about making a scheduled. full trip in August with a fellow bikepacker. Only time will tell..

Be well and stay safe.

Just heard on The Pedalshift Project podcast (of which the host of is traveling on it as we speak) that while the C&O is open, the Park Service just took off the handles on the water pumps and locked the port-a-johns due to virus concerns.

The Campgrounds are still open. The host said the trail is really empty once you get out into the suburbs outside of DC.

That is consistent with the info on the National Park Service website that Matt referenced in an earlier post.

So it sounds like a 1 or 2 day ride may still be ok if we carry enough food and water and camp out and so the only variables now are if some of the grocery stores along the way will be open just in case, and if UBER will be available if something breaks down and is unrepairable.

so, are we saying the statement from US parks service: "All campgrounds and campsites are closed throughout the park." doesn't mean that all campgrounds are closed?

I have no problem digging a cat-hole to do my business, I have no problem carrying a couple of liters of extra water or an extra day of food, but I'm not a big fan of the potential of getting chased out of a campsite or getting charged with trespassing for ignoring the closure.

Has anyone who has actually been on the canal willing to fill the rest of us in on what is really going on?

I sent an email to recreation.gov asking if we could still use the campsites along the C&P canal path even though the water and bathrooms have been closed and i doubt i'll hear back with their offices being closed, but at least we can we tried to contact them, but i doubt if anyone would prevent us from camping at one of these sites.
https://www.recreation.gov/contact-us
https://www.canaltrust.org/pyv/huckleberry-hill-campsite/

I was on the canal at Seneca Creek last weekend. There were quite a few people out. Many wore masks. Starting Monday, you can't go into even the open businesses unless you wear a mask. I personally don't think they are necessary outdoors, but you're not going to make friends if you're biking the canal without one. The governor's stay-home order allows outdoor exercise, but it prohibits going out of state as does DC's. In short, while it might be possible to bike from the canal and GAP, it isn't a very good idea.

Yes in Tim’s "The Pedalshift Project #200" podcast for April 9th, link below, Tim mentions that the water and bathrooms are closed, but he ends up camping at the Marble Quarry campsite (38.2mm) without any hassles, so i’m going to go ahead with my plan to ride to Harper’s Ferry around mid May and will bring some masks for when there are groupings of people on the trail.
https://pedalshift.net/pedalshiftproject-bicycle-touring-podcast/

Just heard back from a C&O canal admin person and she said the campsites are closed, even the small remote campsites adjacent to the canal like Huckleberry Hill, but they will re-evaluate May 10 and there is a $250 fine if caught camping, so will update on May 10th.

Yikes. Ok thanks for that. There is no grey area now.

While the C&O Towpath campsites are closed at this time the GAP Trail is open albeit with certain constraints and conditions related to the public, primitive campsites and services as described at:

https://gaptrail.org/trail-info/trail-alerts

If you want to stay at other private/pay camping sites you may want to contact them ahead of time. These would include the KOA before Connellsville, Husky Haven at Rockwood and the YMCA in Cumberland.

With interest and proper planning I think you could make the trip from Pittsburgh and Cumberland or vice versa.