Reply to Paw Paw Tunnel Rock Slide

Heads up everyone, the C&O Canal Trail is closed from the west entrance of the Paw Paw Tunnel to about 300 feet from the east portal due to a rock slide back in January 2013. The NPS says they have not date to when they are going to start repairs or when the tunnel will be open again. You now have to detour over the 2 mile Tunnel Hill trail to get past the obstruction. Some cyclist say that this is not an option due to the weight of their machines. One possible solution would be to shuttle from the parking lot at Maryland 51 to Bond’s Landing or vice versa. Here are two individuals in Little Orleans who offer shuttle services. Steve Huebner, proprietor of Little Orleans Lodge, (301) 478-2102 or 481-1480 or Don Weatherly at (301) 478-2620. There has been some talk on the Yahoo Groups C&O Canal Trail site to detour north on Maryland 51 to Oldtown-Orleans Road. Bad idea. The road surface on Oldtown-Orleans Road is only paved for about the first couple of miles, then it turns into a dirt road who’s service resembles a wash board at times if you’re lucky. The grades are pretty stiff also. My advice to anyone thinking of a highway detour, DON’T. West Virginia 9 to Berkley Springs is mountainous with a very narrow shoulder; and as I stated Oldtown-Orleans Road is unimproved, ruff, and strenuous.

I read on C&O Canal Trust's Facebook site that the slide has been cleared and the trail is now open. Here is a link to their page. You may have to scroll down their timeline to early April.

The original post is out dated information! The TRAIL IS OPEN. The slide has been cleared and the embankment stabilized.
Again, the TRAIL IS OPEN.