The Pacific Crest Trail’s Northern Terminus Is Closed Due to Wildfire

The 50 northernmost miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, running from Methow Pass to the terminus at the Canadian Border, are closed due to a lightning-caused wildfire. Harts Pass Road, the main access point for the PCT’s northern terminus, is also closed. “The Pacific Crest Trail is effectively closed between Methow Pass and the Northern Terminus, including the Hart’s Pass area, even though an official Forest Service closure order has not yet been issued,” a spokesperson for the organization wrote. At this time, the northern terminus, where many thru-hikers start and end their journeys, is inaccessible. This is at least the second time in five years that wildfires have closed the northern terminus of the PCT: In July 2022, Parks Fire forced a closure of the trail’s northernmost stretch.