Northeast - C&O Canal Logistics

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sunsetbeach
08-05-08, 12:44 PM
My husband and I would like to drive up from Atlanta and do the C&O Canal but cannot figure out the best way to leave our truck in Georgetown and get up to Cumberland ? Can anybody help[ us with the logistics of 1 vehicle?

donheff
08-05-08, 03:11 PM
Are you planning to leave your truck in DC? Unless you have a friend you can park it with it will be costly. You can't just leave it on the streets in GTown because they have zone parking. You could park it in the long term lot at National Airport and take the Mount Vernon Trail to the airport from the C&O - but even that will be several dollars a day. No idea on getting to Cumberland - maybe a train?
cc_rider
08-05-08, 05:05 PM
Amtrak runs to Cumberland, but because they don't have baggage handler at the station they won't let you unload a bike there. Pittsburgh is the only station along the trails that will, and the train from DC gets there late night.

How about leaving your car around DC and do a one-way rental to Cumberland. I've heard that there is a Budget rental office not too far from the trail head.

For leaving a car, National Airport long-term lot, or ask around the Mid-Atlantic forum. :D Someone may let you leave your car in a place where it can be watched.

The National Park Service does C&O rides from time to time where they bus the riders and truck the bikes. I think that once you get up there you can go self-paced or stay with the group. Check the NPS website, either Great Falls or Georgetown office.

ks1g
08-06-08, 04:19 AM
Several shops and businesses have offered shuttle services between Gtown and Cumberland. Check the COTowpath group on Yahoo (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/COTowpath/) for current info.
Brink4422
08-11-08, 01:02 PM
I have done it a few times and we'll park at a metro lot and take the Metro to Georgetown (Farragut West stop and then about 10 blocks to the start, can be tricky to find if you dont know where you're going)
metro lots in the suburbs are $5 and you can leave them there for a few days without any problems

FYI you can't take bikes on the metro until rush hour is over (10amish)


thats half the battle, I just had a buddy come get me at the finish