Registration

Note regarding the 50K start:

In order to complete the full distance of the 50K hike, there will be a 4.5mi/7.3km backtrack from the Whites Ferry trailhead.  The route and turnaround point will be clearly marked.

SUPPORT STATIONS (Distances and Hours of Operation):

-    Old Anglers Inn (100K distance, 12.2mi/19.6km) 5:30-7:00 AM; beverage stop

-    Seneca Creek (100K distance, 22.7mi/36.5km) 7:30-10:30 AM; breakfast stop

-    Edwards Ferry (100K distance, 30.7mi/49.4km) 9:30AM-1:30 PM; beverage stop

-    Whites Ferry (100K & 50K distances, 35.6mi/57.3km & 4.5mi/7.3km) 10:30 AM-3:00 PM; sandwich stop

-    Monocacy River (100K & 50K distances, 42.0mi/67.5km & 10.9mi/17.5km) 12:00-5:30 PM; beverage stop

-    Point of Rocks (100K & 50K distances, 48.2mi/77.5km & 17.1mi/27.5km) 1:30-7:30 PM; hot food stop

-    Brunswick (100K & 50K distance, 55.0mi/88.5km & 23.9mi/33.5km) 3:00-9:30 PM; snack stop

-    Bolivar Community Center (100K & 50K distances, 62.1mi/100km & 31.1mi/50km) 4:30 PM-12:00A M; hot food stop

Note that the 100K distances are very close to those of the C&O Canal Towpath mileposts since the 100K hike starts at 0.15mi from the start of the towpath.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ON THE HIKE:

All hike participants will be responsible for their own safety and well being on the hike. In addition, they will be required to check in and out at the support stations along the trail. This procedure will enable us to monitor the progress of each hiker and provide assistance if needed. NOTE: There will be cutoff times for reaching each station (details are listed below). Any hike participant reaching a station after the cutoff time will be asked not to continue.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ON THE TRAIL ON HIKE DAY:

·    Be at the Starting Place on Time.  The 100K will start promptly at 3 AM at Thompson Boat Center, and the 50K will start at Whites Ferry promptly at 10 AM  The starting roster will be checked and essential announcements will be made 10 minutes before each start.   Be at the trailhead 30 minutes before the start time.   At check-in hikers will be given a number bib, which they must wear their on the outside and front of their clothing for easy identification.   See Driving Directions for directions to the two trailheads.   

·    Check In and Check Out along the Trail.  Be sure to check in when you get to each support station, check out when you leave it, and check in when you get to the Bolivar Community Center, the end point of the hikes.  The check-in/out lists help us monitor each hiker's progress and locate anyone having problems.  The stations are listed above.   Note the cutoff times.  Anyone failing to reach a station before the cutoff will be asked to stop.

·    Observe Our Safety Precautions.  If you get into difficulties, drop out of the hike at the nearest support station.  If you're between stations, notify a patrolling bike-mounted volunteer or fellow hiker, who can seek help for you, or call (202) 423-7913.  Be advised that cell phone reception is poor at some places along the Trail.  For safety reasons, all hikers unable to make the cutoff times (see above) will be asked not to continue the hike.  They and other dropouts should be able to arrange for rides to the end point.

·    Drink, Drink, Drink.  Don't make a difficult hike tougher, or even impossible, by getting dehydrated.  Drink often, especially during the warmest part of the day.  Don't wait until you feel thirsty.  Remember: If you're not urinating fairly frequently, you're not drinking enough.  Carry water bottles large enough so you can go from one support station to the next without running out of liquid.  Water may be available at some of the trailside water pumps, but don't count on it.  And keep in mind that, on the 100K, the first available water will be at the Old Anglers Inn food stop, approximately 12.2 miles into the hike.

·    Eat Properly.  Don't eat heavily at the support stations, but take food from them to eat as you go.  Replenish your blood sugar supply frequently by eating quick-energy snacks such as apple and orange slices, dried fruit, granola, graham crackers, oatmeal cookies, and whole-grain bread--which you'll find at the support stations.  Also, do eat before your hike, and, on the 100K, do take along something to eat before the first food station (Seneca Creek – 22.7 miles into the hike).

·    Know Where You Are.  Watch for the towpath mileposts.  You can use them to estimate your walking rate or the distance to your next support station or to one of the facilities listed below in the Essential Trail Information.

·  Directions to Bolivar Community Center (click here for map).  As you approach Harpers Ferry, identify the railroad and foot bridge across the Potomac River, at approximately mile 60.7 by the mileposts. Ascend the metal spiral staircase to cross the Potomac River. After crossing the river, as you descend the bridge, you come to a gravel area. Turn right, go under a trestle, and come to cobble-stoned Shenandoah Street, and turn left onto it. (John Brown's Fort is on your left.) After one block on Shenandoah Street, turn right and uphill onto High Street; there is a street sign on the corner building just after you turn onto High Street. Stay on the right side of the street, which has a sidewalk. Stay on the right side of the street, which has a sidewalk. Continue about 0.8 mile up High Street (which becomes Washington Street) and cross Union Street. Continue another 0.4 mile on Washington Street and turn left onto Panama Street, crossing Washington Street with caution.  There is a small sign for the Bolivar Community Center (BCC) at the corner of Panama Street after crossing Washington Street.  Walk up Panama Street about 0.1 mile.  Proceed to the BCC on the right, the ODH end point

·    Pace Yourself.  Keep track of time and distance and how you're feeling.  Make use of what you learned from your training hikes about your powers of endurance and your need for liquids, food, rest, and foot care.  Don't be tempted to follow if a few speedy people pass you.  And don't despair if you have to drop out, especially if this is your first attempt; there's always next year.  In order to arrive at each station before the cutoff times:

o        On the 100K, you must maintain a minimum average speed of just under 3 mph (including stops)

o        On the 50K, you must maintain a minimum average speed of 2.25 mph (including stops)

·    The C&O Canal is a trash-free park.  The Park Service provides no trashcans in the park.  Plan to carry out all that you carry in.  However, there will be trash receptacles provided by the hike organizers at the support stations.  You may want to bring along a small plastic bag to accommodate your trash between the stations.  

·    Dogs or other pets are not permitted with hikers on the One Day Hike.  No exceptions, please.

ESSENTIAL TRAIL INFO: TOILETS/OUTHOUSES AND PUBLIC PHONES

By mileage location on the C&O Canal:

3.1 Area on left, near Fletcher's Boat House (phone) 
5.0 Lock 5
10.5 Carderock Recreation Area
12.3 Old Anglers Inn
14.3 Great Falls (phone)
16.6 Hiker-biker site: Swains Lock (Lock 21) (phone)
22.5 Just before Seneca, near Lock 24 (phone at MP 22.8)
26.1 Hiker-biker site: Horsepen Branch
30.5 Hiker-biker site: Chisel Branch
34.4 Hiker-biker site: Turtle Run 
35.5 Whites Ferry (phone)
38.2 Hiker-biker Site: Marble Quarry
42.4 Hiker-biker site: Indian Flats, just after Monocacy
44.6 Nolands Ferry 
47.6 Hiker-biker site: Calico Rocks (phone at MP 48.2)
50.3 Hiker-biker site: Bald Eagle Island
55.0 Brunswick (phone)

EMERGENCIES: Park Service: 301/739-4200 (8 AM - 4:30 PM) or 301/739-4206 (after 4:30 PM); Medical emergencies: 911; dropping out of the hike:  (202) 423-7913.  NOTE:  CELL PHONES OFTEN WORK POORLY ALONG THE TOWPATH.

SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Many hikers enlist the support of friends and family to cheer them on.  See the Driving Directions page for instructions on how to drive from one food stop to the next.