--- SPRING GAP TO PAW PAW ---

Spring Gap is a good place to begin a Potomac trip. You are on the North Branch of the Potomac. The river is narrow with a sense that you are on the canal. The easy put in is at a drive-in recreation area, located directly off of Md. Rt. 51, east of Cumberland.

Six and a half miles and 2 hours down river brings you to Oldtown where you encounter probably the only interstate toll bridge in America. It is known as a "low water" bridge and is only passable at low water. It was built under an old federal law which permitted private purchase of a river bottom. Depending on the water level, you can go over it, under it, or portage around it.

To have a shorter trip, you may want to start in Oldtown. Take Md 51 from Cumberland for 14 miles, right to Main Street, and right to Green Spring Road. To make you and the bridge attendant comfortable, tell the attendant you are only launching a boat and not crossing the bridge.

At Oldtown, you are still on the North Branch for an 11 mile, 4 hour float to Paw Paw. Two miles below Oldtown, the current and water level picks up as the South Branch joins the North Branch. At the confluence of the branches, look at the Maryland riverbank. In 1985, the South Branch experienced a 500 year storm. The immense water volume scoured the Maryland shore. The river widens.

There are two takeouts at Paw Paw. One is off West Virginia Rt. 9 (a continuation of Md. 51), the first left after crossing the Potomac. The second is at the C&O Canal Paw Paw Tunnel access. Note: The C&O take out is about a mile down stream from the Rt. 51 bridge. Also, please note this spot is not a paved ramp but a cut in the riverbank. The road access to the C&O Canal is on the left before you cross the bridge into West Virginia.