Rollerpacking - Am I the last to hear about this?

Thanks to Everytrail user Ben, I recently found out about an awesome trail activity called Rollerpacking. It involves an overnight trail trip on inline skates. Basically, it's back-packing on inline skates. Of course, it requires a nice smooth paved trail, but there are plenty of those featured on trailsnet. (Just click on the "Locate Trails by State" link above.) I don't know about you, but that sounds like an awful lot of fun to me.

Most trailsnet trails are
great for inline skating.

Ben roller-bladed the Western Maryland Rail Trail which runs parallel to the C & O Canal Towpath trail. I have had the pleasure of riding my bike on both of those trails and thoroughly enjoyed them. Now I want to go back and try them on inline skates, a recumbent, a Trikke...

I appreciated Ben sharing information about his roller-packing trip. He reminded me of the much-appreciated snowcone stand near the trail in Hancock, Maryland. He also reminded me of how many trails are located in the Washington D.C./Maryland area. From the C & O trail, riders can access the Capitol Crescent trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, The Mount Vernon Trail, and the world famed Appalachian Trail. So thanks to Ben and to all of you who send me your trail stories whether by blog comments (preferred method), email, or Everytrail contacts.

I'm soon going to be publishing my fall foliage trail recommendations. I'd appreciate hearing from any of you who have suggestions for fall color trails. Feel free to leave a comment with your recommendation. And if you haven't signed up to "Follow" trailsnet, please do so in the column to the right.

Rollerpacking - Am I the last to hear about this?

C & O Canal Towpath trail guide published

Bike trails are a dime-a-dozen, right? I mean they're all over the place; this one's three miles long, that one's five miles long. If you've seen one, you've seen them all.

bike rider on the
C & O Canal Towpath trail in Maryland

I dare you to ride the C & O Canal Towpath trail and say that. This one is truly unique:

1. It's over 180 miles long.
2. It has more historical significance than your average trail.
3. It starts in a big town, ends in our nation's capital, and has some surprisingly remote countryside in between.
4. The C & O trail probably has more campgrounds than any other trail in the world.
5. C & O Canal trail users can connect with numerous other major trails including the Appalachian Trail, the Billy Goat Trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, and the Great Allegheny Passage trail.

Now, to make it even better, there's a guide for section one of the C  & O trail(Georgetown, D.C. to Brunswick, MD) that you can download onto your smartphone (iphone or Android for example). The guide supplies users with a trail map, photos, points-of-interest, camping/lodging suggestions, and lots of great advise for negotiating the trail. And it's a lot easier than lugging around a big old guidebook. I mean, admit it, you were going to bring your cell phone with you anyway. You might as well splurge for the $1.99 and get the guide. Where else could you buy such an awesome, helpful guide for less?

C & O Canal Towpath trail guide published

Western Maryland Rail Trail

You know the old joke, "I went to the fights and a hockey game broke out?"

This picture was taken in September, a
few weeks before the best fall colors
on the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

Okay, this blog has little to do w/ that; but I headed east to ride the C & O Canal Towpath trail, and I discovered the Western Maryland Rail Trail in Hancock, Maryland.

I envy the residents of Hancock, Maryland. They have one of the greatest loop rides in the United States right out their back door.
But don't fret; even if you don't live in Hancock, you can still experience this wonderful bike trail with just a wee bit of advanced planning.
If you are approaching the Western Maryland Rail Trail via the C & O Canal Trail, like I did, the best access spot is milepost 138. But since the two trails run nearly parallel and often close together, it's hard to miss...  


The trail is 23 miles long and is paved, so it makes for smooth bike riding and carefree strolling. While on the trail watch out for turtles crossing the path. The old C & O Canal makes for perfect turtle habitat, except that the canal is flanked by heavily traveled trails on both sides. That's bad news for the turtles, but good news for bikers. If you start in Hancock, Maryland, it's quite easy to do a 45 mile loop ride utilizing the Western Maryland Rail Trail and the C & O Canal trail. Both paths are flat trails and can be done with just about any kind of bike, but a road bike would not do well on the towpath trail after any type of moisture.
Read more about the Western Maryland Rail Trail at trailsnet.com.
And, as always, we'd love to hear from you if you've ever ridden the Western Maryland Rail Trail or the C & O Canal Towpath trail. Please leave a comment below.

Western Maryland Rail Trail