Day 6: Hancock, MD to Harpers Ferry, WV

Today’s Highlights:
We had an amazing breakfast this morning at the 1812 Inn in Hancock. It was elegantly served outside on the large front porch of this majestic house built around 1890. We had a view of their gardens, and it was the most pleasant cool, sunny morning. We really did not want to leave, but our bikes were calling us.

We set out on today’s adventure at 8:00 AM, and continued on the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail which runs parallel to the C&O Tow Path for ten miles to the east. It was nice to start out on smooth pavement. We saw only a few people along the way. We then jumped back on the C&O trail and cycled for another fifty-four miles on the dirt path, ending in Harper’s Ferry for our last night out.

The entire day was sunny, with high puffy clouds, and the humidity was much lower than all our previous days. It was great for cycling. The trail was damped from yesterday’s rain, so it was much less dusty today. We had fun dodging the puddles too. Although the trail is well maintained, the uneven dirt, rock and roots still took a toll on us after hours of riding. We had trouble finding food and water along the way today, because we passed through only a couple sizable towns and would have had to take significant side trips in them to find something. By the time we finished our 8.5 hour aerobic challenge, we were all very tired and hungry.

Along the way, we saw many canal locks and several lock houses. In places, the old canal bed was completely transformed into forest, and you wouldn’t know it was once a canal unless someone told you. We also traveled closer to the Potomac River today, including a few miles where we were right at its shoreline. It looked beautiful under the blue summer sky. It is the 4th of July, so other people were out enjoying boating and water-skiing in the Potomac River. Traffic on the trail though was as light as mid-week, and it still felt like a wilderness adventure for the most part. We also made stops at NPS visitor center in Williamsport, and at the Stonewall Dam.

Reaching Harpers Ferry, we walked our bikes across the pedestrian bridge and into the historic town. It is also a national park with many buildings from the early 1800s. We are staying at the Town’s Inn in the middle of the historic district. It’s a convenient location and they have a nice restaurant. However, we were a bit surprised that our accommodations are similar to a hostel. It was built in 1840, and our rooms look like a cave with its thick stone walls and minimal lighting.

Pictures Of The Day: Click any thumbnail to see the photos in full screen mode.

GAP and C&O Day 06