DC info needed (C&O Canal)
 

I hate to post this, but I feel like this is the best place to go for the info I need. Biking from Pittsburgh to DC starting Friday. I did this last year so I am not too concerned about that part.

I have a newbie coming with me this time and we have to get from the C&O Canal trail to up near the Zoo (Marriott-Wardman Park, 2660 Woodley Rd. NW). It looks like the Rock Creek Trail intersects the C&O and we can go North on that and get pretty close. Online maps aren't too clear on that (at least the ones I have found)

Any of you DC'ers know if that is the case? If it was me, I'd just meander that way until I got where I needed to be, but the person going with me is kind of concerned about that part of the trip.

Thanks.

ride the C/O to the very end where it bisects rock creek parkway. Here it is a bit more of a highway than a road, so use the Multi use (its right there) to ride up towards rock creek park. This path will take you all the way to the zoo's rear entrance... you can walk through the zoo with bikes, or there is a road that circles it to get to the front entrance.

also, the zoo is free.

There's no need to go all the way to the zoo. There's a path up to Calvert St. (which is one block south of Woodley Road) from the Rock Creek Trail, or you can also ride on the adjacent road which is basically an exit from Rock Creek Parkway up to Calvert St. & Connecticut Avenue. I don't know if it's signposted, but the exit is just before you go under the Taft Bridge, aka Connecticut Avenue Bridge. wikipedia has a photo of this very pretty bridge. Note the distinctive double set of arches:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taft_Bridge

Be warned that it is a very steep ride up to Calvert Road, however it is quite short and is easily walkable, if necessary. Type the hotel's address into maps.google.com. It shows the road exit as being 24th st. Go all the way up 24th to the intersection with Connecticut Ave. I'd suggest you walk a few yards on the sidewalk on Connecticut to get to Woodley Rd. rather than ride in the middle of Connecticut Avenue to turn left onto Woodley.

Not an answer to your question but let me know if I can be of assistance on the Pittsburgh end. I live 2 miles from the start of the Montour Trail which connects to the GAP. I recommend including the Montour in your plans. Place to stay, sag, escort partway down the trail, local knowledge etc. Just PM me.

Axolotl described the last mile. I would suggest that when you are about 2.5 miles out from Georgetown watch for the National Capitol Trail to come in about ten feet on your right (at Fletcher's Boat Yard) and switch to that nice paved MUP. It parallels the C&O into Georgetown and will dump you on K street which runs underneath the Whitehurst Freeway. Follow K about 1 mile to get on the Rock Creek trail. WHere the main K street road goes up you will go right under the bridge -- follow the car entrance to Rock Creek Parkway and then turn left at the MUP.

Thanks Everyone. I remember riding that section of the Capital Trail last year. Quite a treat after the C&O.

I can put his mind at ease now.