Slide closes towpath near tunnel

A rock slide blocked a 100-ft. section of the C&O Canal towpath near the east end of the Paw Paw Tunnel on Sunday, January 20.

The Paw Paw Tunnel and that portion of towpath are currently closed and will remain so until a full assessment of the area can be made to safely conduct repairs, according to park officials.

Contacted last week, a park spokesperson was uncertain when that section of the towpath would reopen, but did not expect that it would be closed a long time.

Those using the path are currently detoured onto the trail that goes over the Paw Paw Tunnel Hill.

For the latest information, call the Cumberland Visitor Center at 301-722-8226.