It’s a basic hike right? Don’t you just grab some gear, drive there, and hike?
The fast, simple answer is – you can do that.
But…there’s nothing worse than being in the middle of hiking a trail and realizing you didn’t think it out as well as you should have.
Our Recon for the GAP Trail
We went to Frostburg to hike. Hiking in the fall in the mid-Atlantic region is especially beautiful. Prior to arriving, our intent was to treat this journey as a day hike (see Nature-Hiking for more detail).
Initially we didn’t even know we’d be hiking the GAP Trail.
Because we made the decision to hike almost last minute, we were only looking at finding a good trail and enjoying nature. Assuming our trail would be out and back, we figured we’d scope out whatever trailhead we selected the day before.
We picked the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, with no preconceived understanding. In preparation, we walked from our lodging, the Gunter Hotel, to the Frostburg access point of the trail.
What We Found Out
A short walk.
Well, it turned out to be kind of a small hike. To the access point, it was almost a mile each way, with a surprising elevation change of around 220 feet.
There is a section of the hike near the bottom of the hill with no sidewalk, so we recommend using the stairs.
About a half mile down was the historic Train Depot and the Thrasher Rail Museum. Due to COVID neither were open, but still fun to explore.
While we were milling around the area, we noted the Trail Inn Lodging & Campground. Although the Trail Inn had a sign that they were closed due to COVID, we knocked anyway, because their sign also had information about their shuttle service.
The inn’s owner, Steve Walker, answered and we had a great discussion (with proper social distancing of course). He told us about how the Trail Inn has done a lot of business with those on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, and in particular, bicycle riders traversing the trail. As part of our discussion, we decided to have him shuttle us up to the Deal, PA access point on the trail.
The GAP Trail Access Point
From there we walked a half mile down a bike path. Along the way (in the switch back section) was a small park with sculptures, bike sculptures.
The access point comprised a parking area, a gazebo, bicycle stations, and plaques with information.
While we were there, there was a group getting prepared to ride. They were dropped of by a truck which held all their bicycles.
How We Managed Our Transportation
This trail is considered an “Out and Back”, meaning the trail is essentially one way. There are basically only a few options:
- however long you hike out on the trail, you then have to hike back to your original destination,
- hire someone to either pick you up at a certain time and place when you have completed your hike (not advisable as either party could be delayed – the timing may be precarious),
- have someone drop you off (shuttle) at the starting point and you walk back to your destination (usually to where your car is parked or where you are lodged),
- have someone shuttle your transportation to the destination point.
We chose option number 3.
The Wrap Up
More upfront research would have been nice. If only for better footwear. We brought our hiking boots. We thought we would be hiking in more of a “in the wild” environment. As we were walking a fairly fixed surface, we should have worn a good pair of comfortable walking shoes.
What we discovered was most of those on the trail were biking. Adding this experience to PA Grand Canyon – Pine Creek Rail Trail, and that got a whole ‘nother set of wheels turning in our brains for what our JMO plans in 2021 would be during COVID-19.
After having such a great experience hiking, we though biking may be even more fun! Our future plans will be to bike from Frostburg, MD to Cumberland, MD.