Introduction to Bikepacking on the C&O Canal Towpath
Details
Update to Plan
We didn't anticipate so much interest! We have booked a beautiful riverfront group campsite at Mile 140.9 (Fifteenmile Creek). That gives us a 44 mile per day distance. That also allows us to increase the trip limit. Caveat: That means we're biking further than originally planned, but there is still the option for people to camp earlier at hiker biker campsites listed below.
Original Post w/ edits for new plan:
There's been some interest in bikepacking in recent years. Let's get DC UL's first bikepack trip on the books. This is an intro trip meant for anyone interested in bikepacking for the first time, or anyone who has bikepacked before and would like to again but without too much of a time commitment.
Here's the plan: Saturday morning, 10:30 a.m., we will meet at the junction of the C&O and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) near Trail Connection bicycle shop at Canal Place in Cumberland, MD.
Once assembled, we will head east on the C&O starting at mile 184.5. We will plan to camp Fifteenmile Creek group campsite which we have reserved. There are also first-come/first-served hiker/biker sites for earlier bailout points:
- Purslane Run @ mile 156.9 (27.6 mile per day)
- Sorrel Ridge @ mile 154.1 (30.4 mile per day)
Sunday morning, we'll break camp by 8 a.m. and head back to Cumberland. As always, we'll scope out a place for grub on the way home.
What to Expect:
The C&O is a much more rustic trail than the GAP because it was a canal towpath and not a railroad track like the GAP. This means you most definitely encounter mud, gravel, tree roots, rocks, and some potholes. This prevents you from comfortably towing bike trailers, so plan to carry everything on your bike unless you have a single wheel trailer.
All that said, this should not be terribly difficult if you are used to backpacking or if you have ridden a bike before! The hardest part is getting back on the bike in the morning, but the pain passes quickly. Look for a bikepacking post on the DC UL blog coming up soon.
Parking:
There used to be free overnight parking under the I-68 overpass, but in case there isn't any longer (there has been recent construction), there is long-term parking available at the top level of the George Street Garage.
http://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/278/Office-of-Parking-Enforcement
http://bikewashington.org/canal/plan-parking.php
Ali and Carrie are coming from Baltimore and have room for two additional people and bikes. For anyone coming from DC, Shady Grove might be the best metro station for a carpool. When RSVPing, let us know if you can drive, and we will try to arrange a carpool from DC.
Applicants should send a gear list by June 25.
We will need drivers from DC.
Bike Washington's C&O Canal Bicycling Guide Campsites:
http://bikewashington.org/canal/plan-camping.php
Interactive Trail Map from GAP Trail:
https://gaptrail.org/explore
Printable Map:
https://gaptrail.org/explore/printable-maps
The fine print:
-If you are a member, don't forget to pay your annual $10 dues. You can check to see if you need to pay dues by seeing if there is a (’19) next to your name. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip with the group. To pay your dues via PayPal, you can use this link: https://www.paypal.me/JenniferAdach/10 If you need to pay your dues via an alternate way (check, Venmo, etc.), email organizer[at]dculbackpacking.com.
-By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's waiver liability terms
(https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/).
-As per our carpool policy, riders should pay drivers $0.10/mile.