The Great Alleghany Passage Trail
Pittsburg, PA to Cumberland, MD
May 21-27, 2022
Co-Trip Leaders: John South and Chris York
Type of Trip: Biking/Camping
Trip Cost/Deposit: $460/$230
Cancellation Date and full payment: March 20, 2022
Wilderness Level: 2
Trip Difficulty: Moderate; 10 mph, 150 total miles, 36 miles one day max; Rail to Trails, wider tires
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 2: Primarily applies to trips in which we carry only day packs. In one day, we can hike up to 9 miles and 4500 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 7 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged, less-maintained trails. For a Level 2 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a light day pack. If a backpacking trip has a Level 2 rating, it means the distances are 2-4 miles with little elevation gain/loss.
Level 3: Applies to backpacking trips in which we hike with 25-35 pound backpacks. In one day, we can hike up to 7 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged trails. For a Level 3 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack.
Group Size: 8/7 Maximum/Minimum
Adults Only
***Before registering***
While considering your participation in CIWC trips, be aware that some trips will involve shared transportation, lodging, and other activities. Each participant is encouraged to evaluate your comfort level with such arrangements based on your health condition, vaccination status, and unknown COVID positivity rates at the time of the trip. Members are encouraged to review the COVID waiver as a part of this evaluation.
The Great Allegany Passage (GAP) is a top 10 bicycle trail in the US. This rail trail trip will start in Pittsburg and 150 miles later arrive in Cumberland Maryland. The trail parallels several rivers, passes through tunnels, over high trestles and goes by many small communities. See more information at gapride.org or bikecando.com
Our trip will start Saturday May 21st and arrive home on Friday May 27 prior to Memorial Day weekend. Mileage will vary each day from a low of 24 to a high of 36. We will camp each night in campgrounds. Camping equipment and extra clothing will be transported for you between sites. While camping; breakfast and dinner will be provided. Meals on the road and while cycling will be at the cost of each participant.
A multi-speed bike in good condition will be needed. Lights are required for tunnels. A handlebar bag to transport wallet, camera, phone and other personal items is suggested. A rear rack with truck bag or panniers to transport a small first aid kit, light jacket or rain gear is also needed. A bicycle with wider tires 1.25” to 2” is highly recommended to safely travel on a gravel surface.
This event is not a race and each participant will have plenty of time to travel to each day’s destination. The rider will need to be fit enough to bike 35 miles and tolerate sitting on a saddle for that time period for 5 straight days.
There will be an opportunity to visit Falling Water a Frank Lloyd Wright home. That cost will be in addition to the trip price. The cost is $30/person and reservations are needed.
Health and Safety Notice- we will be traveling together in one or two vehicles from Indianapolis to Pittsburg and return. We will also prepare and serve communal meals. Should you be in ill health or have compromised immune system we would request you don’t attend this trip
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a CIWC Medical Form and Long Waiver Form.
Effective on all trips, there will be a $50 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
