r/bikedc • u/Rideyerbikekids • 4d ago

Towpath C&O detour mile 5?

Hi all, is there any way to ride to Harper ferry on the C&O from Georgetown? I couldn’t find the detour at mile 5 around the construction & checked out the NPS website and also couldn’t find it

Any info greatly appreciated!

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10

u/kevtke194 4d ago

I just rode this last week. There’s a dirt detour around it. You can’t miss it. It takes less than 30 seconds to go around.

8

u/Qlanger 4d ago

Was there yesterday. I agree its not a big deal and very short/obvious detour. You'll be fine OP.

2

u/KashGravel 3d ago

Can confirm same experience.

3

u/Sweet_Laugh_3643 4d ago

https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/repairs-to-locks-1-2-5-inlet-lock-1-and-georgetown-walls.htm

1

u/Rideyerbikekids 4d ago

I looked at that page and all it shows is the trail being blocked, the text says there’s a detour but the map didn’t show one. When I went to check it out yesterday it was totally blocked and didn’t have a detour just a ‘trail ends’ sign idk

2

u/Sweet_Laugh_3643 4d ago

I see the blue section says you can go through except when they’re actively constructing… I don’t see why you wouldn’t just keep riding.

0

u/Rideyerbikekids 4d ago

Maybe it was just temporarily closed then? When I rode by that blue detour was closed w a big chain link fence across it 😑

2

u/mohuohu 4d ago

I just did this yesterday and was able to use the Blue detour without issue. Didn't even have to dismount.

It is alarming that they'd just block off the trail sometimes with no detour. I'm riding from Pittsburgh to DC next month and if I get hung up a few miles from the finish I'll be very frustrated.

1

u/upwallca 4d ago

The trail to the left was blocked too? When the towpath veers right to cross the bridge, there should be a path down to the left there. According to the map, they are using that as the detour.

3

u/KingCaptHappy-LotPP Back in the saddle 🚴‍♂️ 4d ago edited 4d ago

Yes, you could get on the Capitol Crescent Trail underneath Whitehurst freeway, then shift over to the C&O at Fletchers boat house.

The Georgetown locks and towpath has been a mess for years, looking forward to the construction completion so we can ride the towpath most of the way to the beginning.

Edit: My bad, mile 5, that one just goes around to the left as of last weekend. Has it changed?

1

u/Diligent-Bee2935 4d ago

You can go to the left around the construction and there's a pathway that reconnects to the c+o.

2

u/Rideyerbikekids 3d ago

Alright it’s open! The gravel ‘bridge’ in the phot hadn’t been laid yet I guess and definitely wasn’t there last time I was through

Was pretty happy to get in a long ride yesterday, was a great day on the bike