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  1. #1
    DGrav's Avatar
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    Hammocking on the C&O canal

    Has anyone hammock camped in any of the sites along the C&O. Thinking about doing a biking/camping trip over Memorial Day weekend.

    Thanks!

    -Don

  2. #2
    Senior Member RockStar's Avatar
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    Sounds great, having been there but, where the hell can you get water you can drink? I was told never drink the water there? Or is it just near Harpers Ferry?

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    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
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    What/where is the C&O canal?
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  4. #4
    Senior Member RockStar's Avatar
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  5. #5
    Senior Member Redtail's Avatar
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    I believe all of the Hiker/Biker campgrounds are supposed to have water. I have only tent camped at Bald Eagle a long time ago so I don't know about hammocks. There is no shortage of trees though. We bike down near Lander Lock a lot. I have also camped on some of the islands in the river (they're not part of National Park, can wade to them in my area) but that won't be an option with a bike I guess. Don't forget your fishing rod. :-)

  6. #6
    DGrav's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RockStar View Post
    Sounds great, having been there but, where the hell can you get water you can drink? I was told never drink the water there? Or is it just near Harpers Ferry?
    On the bike I do not worry about where to get water because I am willing to carry a lot more than I do while hiking (no big climbs on a canal!). Worst case I jump off the trail when I get down to 1 liter and ride to the closest town to refill.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by DGrav View Post
    Has anyone hammock camped in any of the sites along the C&O. Thinking about doing a biking/camping trip over Memorial Day weekend.

    Thanks!

    -Don
    I did the C & O last year starting on it from DC. I didn't take my hammock because I didn't know what to expect. Big mistake! The closer you get to towns the more traffic the camping areas get so the grass is all worn off a lot of them. So being on the ground sucked. I rode from DC up to just past Antietam then the rain drove me off of it due to mud. From there I headed off into W. Va into the Shenandoah Vally and then back to Newport News
    There's good hanging trees at all the camp areas that I passed and plenty of stealth areas if need be. The path is hard packed gravel so it's pretty good riding. I was doing it on 700c 28s on my touring bike but a mountain bike with 32s or bigger would have been a better ride . There's also a water pump at all camp areas and porta potties which are kept up rather well. I drank the water with out any ill effects. All the camping areas were free except at Antietam, which was ten dollars. There's places to get food in different spots but I'd advise carrying some for a back up.
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  8. #8
    DGrav's Avatar
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    Thanks!

    Thanks for all the feedback!

    Since it is going to be a holiday weekend sites along the canal will be at a premium. So we have decided to make reservations at a campground outside of Harpers Ferry.

    The plan is to ride out and back 60 miles one direction on Saturday and the other direction on Sunday.

    Thanks again!

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