Hmm.. Per gaptrail.org it's(the path) closed until mid 2022..
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NOV 25 2020 | C&O Canal Towpath's Paw Paw Tunnel to Close; Detour Posted
On November 25, the National Park Service announced an immediate closure of the northern entrance of the Paw Paw Tunnel to protect travelers on the C&O Canal Towpath from falling rocks near the tunnel's northern approach. The NPS anticipates this closure will last until mid-2022.
According to the NPS, "during construction, visitors can walk into the Paw Paw Tunnel when approaching from the south but will not be able to continue past the north end of the tunnel. ...
Cyclists may walk their bikes up and over the Paw Paw Tunnel using the Tunnel Bypass Trail,
FEB 22 2021 | C&O Canal Towpath's Paw Paw Tunnel to Close-Detour Posted
On November 25, the National Park Service announced an immediate closure of the northern entrance of the Paw Paw Tunnel to protect travelers on the C&O Canal Towpath from falling rocks near the tunnel's northern approach. The NPS anticipates this closure will last until mid-2022....
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Per nps.gov:
Paw Paw Tunnel Scaling Project
A 2020 current conditions image shows a rock slide from April 2016 near the northern (downstream) entrance of the tunnel. The current scaling and repair project is one to prevent rock slides like this in the future and to remove debris from the canal prism.NPS | Joe Reed, Park Engineer
The Paw Paw Tunnel is currentlyopen. However, the towpath just downstream is closed.
.....When will the project begin and end?
Construction for the interim slope stabilization at the north portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel began in June of 2017 and was completed in July 2019. The current design build contract, awarded in September 2020, will continue with addressing rockfall hazards and aim to remove rock and debris caused by the rockslide of 2016. This work will also address the timber boardwalk portion of the towpath by removing and replacing it. A design-build type of procurement facilitates the contractor’s team to complete the design/permitting, as well as construct the fix. Once the ongoing design is completed and permitted, construction is anticipated to begin in 2021 and extend into 2022.This work will provide long-term safe passage through this stretch of towpath. The National Park Service is doing everything possible to minimize closure time and impacts to visitors.
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Alan..did you ride the towpath downstream of the tunnel?