Pacific Northwest Trail Alerts

SEASONAL STATEMENT: November 1st, 2018

During the prime season, July-November, the Pacific Northwest Trail Association publishes trail alerts on this webpage and through a plain-text email system.

With seasonal employees at PNTA and our partners furloughed for the season, current reports may be unavailable. Always check road, weather and avalanche conditions before your visit. In the Northwest, fall, winter and spring bring heavy snowfall or rain to the trail. Some mountain roads may close for the season or become impassable to vehicles due to snow, ice or avalanche hazard. Washouts, downed trees, flooding and avalanches are common along higher elevation trails.

Low-elevation sections of the trail, like those in the temperate climate of the Puget Sound, can be accessed year-round. Other trails are popular for non-motorized winter recreation. Off-season visitors should always be prepared for route-finding challenges and winter weather.

Livingstone Range

NPS Photo by Jacob W Frank

Trail Alerts

Section 1 Rocky Mountains

Section 1 Rocky Mountains

Trail Alert #	1-15: Whale Butte Fire
Area	Glacier National Park – Kintla Lake Alternate
Date	8.24.18
Last Updated	9.14.18
Current Status	Area, trail and road closures have been reduced. Red Meadow, Moose Creek and Whale Creek roads have reopened.
Map Pages	004b, 004c, 004d, 007
Trail/s Closed
Description	The closure area for the Whale Butte Fire on the Flathead National Forest was reduced on September 5th. See the closure order map for other area, trail and road closures. The evacuation warning for the Kintla Lake Alternate of the PNT was lifted on Wednesday, August 29th.

Resources	Flathead National Forest Glacier National Park Inciweb

Trail Alert #	1-14: Coal Ridge Fire Closure
Area	PNT west of Polebridge, Montana
Date	8.13.18
Last Updated	9.05.18
Current Status	15 miles of the primary route of the PNT is closed between Polebridge and Red Meadow Lake.
Map Pages	006-008
Trail/s Closed	Hay Creek Road FR 376, PNT/ Hay Creek Trail 3, PNT/ Whitefish Divide Trail 26 (partial clousure)
Description	Update: On September 5th, Red Meadow Creek Road reopened. A shorter detour around the fire closures is now possible, see below. The primary route of the PNT is closed from the intersection of North Fork Road and Hay Creek Road, waypoint 057P for 15 miles to the 072P, just east of Red Meadow Lake. For additional trail and road closures, see the closure map and Coal Ridge Fire Information on inciweb.
Westbound Detour	From Polebridge, follow North Fork Road 486 north for 5.7 miles to Red Meadow Creek Road 115 (PNT 004d). Take FR 115 west for 18 miles to rejoin the PNT south of Red Meadow Lake at waypoint 0073P.
Resources	Flathead National Forest Inciweb

Section 2 Purcell Mountains

Section 3 Selkirk Mountains

Section 4 Kettle River Range

Section 5 Okanogan Highlands

Section 6 Pasayten Wilderness

Section 7 North Cascades

Section 8 Puget Sound

Section 9 Olympic Mountains

Section 10 Wilderness Coast

Section 2 Purcell Mountains

No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.

Section 3 Selkirk Mountains

Alert	Alert 3-2. Deep Lake/ Boundary Road reroute east of Northport, WA
Area	private property, east of Northport, WA
Date
Last Updated	5.1.17
Current Status	No Access to PNT (Black Canyon or O’Hare Creek Roads) due to private property issues
Map Pages	Map Pages: 038, 039
Trail/s Closed	Black Canyon Rd and O’Hare Creek Rd
Description	The former primary route of the PNT between Northport and Cedar Lake is closed for the 2017 season due to private property issues. Instead, the Deep Lake/ Boundary Road reroute is recommended for those thru-hiking in the 2017 season. Unofficial or outdated data sets may still show this route. Hikers are advised that taking this route should be considered trespassing.
	The 2017 PNTA map set has been updated to reflect this route change.
Resources

Section 4 Kettle River Range

Alert	Alert 4-1: Hazardous Trail Conditions PNT Primary Route
Area	Bushwhack to the Sanpoil River west of Highway 21, south of Republic, Washington.
Date	6.25.2018
Last Updated
Current Status	Primary route is not recommended until further notice
Map Pages	050
Trail/s Closed
Description	Status – PNTA has received a user report that the primary route of the PNT between Hwy 21 and waypoint 484P is badly overgrown and can not be recommended at this time. Westbound, this route begins as a cross-country/ bushwhack. West of 484P, the route becomes overgrown and involves steep side hill traverses with fall risk hazards due to loose scree.
Resources

Section 5 Okanogan Highlands

No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.

Section 6 Pasayten Wilderness

Alert	Alert 6-9: Holman Pass and McLeod Fires
Area	Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Trail/s	For a complete list of trail closures, see Closure Order: 06-17-04-18-xx Partial Trail Closures: Pacific Crest Trail 2000, Chancellor/ Canyon Creek Trail 754, Devils Ridge Trail 752
Date	8-11-2018
Last Updated	8-30-2018
Status	The Fire Closure area has been reduced. 13 miles of the PNT is now closed on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Map Pages	PNT 066-074
Description	See closure order and map for a complete list of trail and area closures. The eastern boundary of the closure of the Pacific Northwest Trail begins at Woody Pass on the PCT 2000 (waypoint C695P). It extends west to Devils Pass at the trail junction with the Jackita Ridge Trail 738 (waypoint 708P).
Detour	Westbound Detour: At waypoint 678A, leave the Boundary Trail 533 and head south on the Robinson Creek Trail 478. Take Tr 478 south for 13.5 miles to the Slate Pass Trail 478.2. Take the Slate Pass Trail west for 2.3 miles to the Slate Pass Trailhead, or continue south on the Pacific Crest Trail 2000 to Harts Pass. Find transportation or follow Harts Pass Road south for 21 miles to Slate Pass/ Harts Pass to Mazama/ Winthrop. Follow SR 20 west for 41 miles to rejoin the PNT at Ross Lake NRA at the East Bank TH (waypoint 730P).

Resources	Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest North Cascades National Park Inciweb

Holman Fire Closure Map

Detour Map

Alert	Alert 6-7: East Bank Trail Partially Closed to Stock
Area	Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Trail/s	East Bank Trail / PNT
Date	5-23-2018
Last Updated	6-25-2018
Status	Trail closed to stock animals beyond may Creek due to a trail collapse on the north end of Devil’s Cliffs.
Map Pages	PNT 073
Description	Trail closed to stock animals beyond may Creek due to a trail collapse on the north end of Devil’s Cliffs. Estimated date for reopening, August, 2018.


Resources

Alert	Alert 6-6: Diamond Creek Fire Area and Trail Closures
Area	Pasayten Wilderness
Trail/s
Date
Last Updated	4-17-18
Status	All area and trail closures for the Diamond Creek Fire were lifted on October 20, 2017.
Map Pages	PNT 065-067
Description	Approximately 22 miles of the PNT falls within the fire perimeter. Conditions are currently unknown. Forest visitors are cautioned that hazards still exist in burned areas such as falling snags/dead trees which might injure people or block roads or trails, stump holes and root channels that may be burning and are hidden from sight until stepped upon, and rolling rocks and mudslides or debris flows off hillsides can occur any time but especially after rain and freeze-thaw events. Please stay current on weather forecasts, carry a saw or axe in case a tree falls across a rod or trail, and always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return home.
	For public safety, road closures at Yellowjacket Sno-Park and upper Eightmile Road above Copper Glance Trailhead will remain in place until the end of November.
	There will be large construction equipment working in the roadway, crews falling hazardous trees, and logging truck traffic will occur on these steep and narrow roads associated with timber salvage and Burned Area Emergency Response work.
Resources	BAER information

Section 7 North Cascades

Alert	Alert 7-7. Timber Harvests on Mt Josephine
Area	Harry Osborne-Les Hilde State Forest, PNT Section 7
Trail/s	Pacific Northwest Trail, primary route along Jones Creek
Date	2.26.19
Last Updated
Status	Status – Timber harvest and related activity has caused a closure of the PNT along Jones Creek. The trail is currently impassable around waypoint 870.8P.
Map Pages	Map Page/s: 87
Description	Timber harvests on WA DNR land will bring logging and road-building activity, heavy truck traffic and trail closures/ detours. Washington DNR will post signage on trail as needed. PNT users should be able to detour around closures by using the Mt Josephine Truck Trail between 869P and 872P.
Resources	Washington DNR

Alert	Alert 7-6. No Vehicle Access to Hannegan Pass Trailhead
Area	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF, PNT Section 7
Trail/s	Hannegan Pass Road
Date	5.7.18
Last Updated	7.20.18
Status	Status – Storm damage prevents access to vehicles beyond mile 5.2. Trail crews have repaired storm damage to the Hannegan Pass Trail 674 between the trailhead and Granite Mountain.
Map Pages	Map Page/s: 079
Description
Resources	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Alert	Alert 7-3. Timber Harvests on Anderson Mountain
Area	Alger State Forest
Trail/s	Pacific Northwest Trail, primary route
Date
Last Updated	4.17.18
Status	Status – Be aware of the potential for logging activity in this area in the Summer of 2018. Washington DNR will post signage on trail as needed.
Map Pages	Map Page/s: 89
Description	The PNT passes through a timber harvest area at the intersection of the PNT and RD A-1500 (the midpoint between waypoints 908P and 910P). The harvest is tentatively scheduled for June of 2018. PNTA will post future updates. Washington DNR will post appropriate signage alerting users of potential hazards or detours.
Resources

Alert	Alert 7-2. Timber Harvests on Lyman Hill
Area	Harry Osborne-Les Hilde State Forest
Trail/s	Pacific Northwest Trail, primary route
Date
Last Updated	5.1.17
Status	Status – Be aware of the potential for logging activity in this area. Washington DNR will post signage on trail as needed.
Map Pages	Map Page/s: 87 and 88
Description	The approximate timber harvest area will include areas to the east and west of the PNT at waypoint 880P and at the intersection of FR 134 and FR 130. Be advised that the haul route used by heavy trucks will include a portion of the PNT (FR130 and FR 110). Washington DNR will post appropriate signage alerting users of potential hazards or detours.
Resources

Section 8 Puget Sound

No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.

Section 9 Olympic Mountains

Alert	Alert 9-7 Hurricane Hill Trail Project
Area	PNT Section 9 – Olympic Mountains
Trail/s	Hurricane Hill Trail
Date	6.6.18
Last Updated	9.27.18
Status	The Hurricane Hill Trail on the Gray Wolf – Hurricane Ridge Alternate route will be under construction in 2018 and will close periodically. Check NPS’ Project Webpage for more information. PNT thru-hikers should consult with Park Staff to detour around the closure using alternate routes, such as the Hayden Pass Trail – Elwha River Trail route.
Map Pages	Map Pages: 100e
Description	NPS trail crews will be working to repair the Hurricane Hill Trail over three seasons. Hurricane Hill Trail will be open during periods when crews are not working. During the closure periods, the trail will remain closed to access 24 hours a day for visitor and job site safety.
Resources	Hurricane Hill Project webpage

Alert	Alert 9-6 Bogachiel River Trail Washout/s
Area	PNT Section 9 – Olympic Mountains
Trail/s	Bogachiel River Trail 825
Date	11.25.17
Last Updated	4.17.18
Status	Status – trail impassable to stock due to washout, hikers should use caution
Map Pages	Map Pages: 112-114
Description	Two washouts on the PNT between miles 1151 and 1150 on the Olympic NF are considered impassable to stock. On the National Park, above Flapjack Camp, mile 1142, a third washout/ landslide is considered unstable and hazardous to pass. Large numbers of down trees have also been reported on trail to the east.
Resources	Bogachiel Trail Condition Updates

Alert	Alert 9-5 PNT, Olympic Hot Springs Road Closure
Area	Olympic NP, PNT Section 9
Trail/s	N/A
Date	1.27.18
Last Updated	4.17.18
Status	Status – Closed to Vehicles (will not affect PNT hikers traveling through)
Map Pages	Map Pages: 108
Description	Road closed to vehicle traffic due to flooding/washout, the Madison Falls parking area is open. From intersection with Hwy 101: 2 miles to park boundary, 9.6 miles to end of road. Paved, narrow and steep past Glines Canyon.
Resources	Current road conditions in Olympic NP

Alert	Alert 9-4.5 Major Road Construction Project Along Lake Crescent, Highway 101
Area	PNT Section 9 and 10
Trail/s	none
Date
Last Updated
Status	Construction may cause delays or effect access to PNT trailheads in Olympic NP
Map Pages	5.1.2017
Description	Beginning in mid-July 2017, the National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration will rehabilitate 12 miles of Highway 101 around Lake Crescent and four miles of East Beach Road.
	This project will cause traffic delays on Hwy 101 between Port Angeles and Forks, Washington. PNT’ers traveling to Forks or Ozette Lake/ Cape Alava from the north will be affected. Learn more about these traffic delays here.
Resources	Olympic NP, Crescent Hwy Project Page

Alert	Alert 9-2. PNT, Primary Route west of Hayden Pass River to Whiskey Bend TH
Area
Trail/s
Date
Last Updated	6.6.18
Status	NPS crews are working to repair damage and report that the trail is passable to those users able to navigate rough trail conditions. Expect down trees and a 20 foot wide washout west of Hayden Pass.
Map Pages	Map Pages: 105, 106
Description	NPS does not recommended for travel from Dose Meadows to Hayes River Ranger Station due to damage from the Hayes Fire. The risk of falling trees, rolling debris and resource damage due to off trail travel in recently burned areas.
	PNT thru-hikers may use the Primary route to detour around temporary closures on the Gray Wolf – Hurricane Ridge Alternate.
Resources

Alert	Alert 9-1. PNT, Gray Wolf – Hurricane Ridge Alternate/s
Area	Olympic National Forest
Trail/s	Lower Gray Wolf Tr 834
Date
Last Updated	5.1.17
Status	Status – Lower Gray Wolf Trail 834 is impassable until further notice
Map Pages	Map Page/s: 090
Description	The bridge near Pass and Cat Creek is still out for the 2017 season. According to Olympic National Forest, a safe ford is not possible and attempts would be very dangerous as the creek runs through a canyon. This makes trail 834 totally impassible, but the upper Gray Wolf Trail 834.2, can be accessed from the Slab Camp Trailhead and day hikers may still use trail 834 – they will simply need to turn back at the creek.
	Thru-hikers taking this PNT alternate will be rerouted either on FR 2870 and FR 2875 (between the Slab Camp and Gray Wolf trailheads) to avoid this section of trail, or be rerouted south to the primary route of the PNT. To minimize confusion, trail 834 has been removed from the 2017 map set.
Resources

Section 10 Wilderness Coast

Alert	Alert 10-3. Mudslides on Wilderness Coast Route
Area	Section 10 – Olympic National Park, South Coast
Trail/s	Coastal route between 1185P and C1193P
Date	6.25.18
Status	New mudslides in 2018 require 5 and 6′ tides to cross safely
Map Pages	PNT 115, 117, and 118
Description	A large mudslide, approximately 75 yards wide covers the route of the PNT between the creek at Third Beach and the headland trail over Taylor Point. This area now requires a tide of 5 feet or less tide for safe crossing, per Olympic National Park. A second landslide between the Goodman Creek overland trail and Mosquito Creek that requires passing below a 6 ft tide.

Alert	Alert 10-2. No access to Olympic NP via Oil City cut-off route
Area	Section 10 – private property/ Olympic NP
Trail/s	Oil City Cut-off Route between 1166P and 1185P
Date	4.17.18
Status	No access to coastal trails on Olympic NP via Oil City cut-off route
Map Pages	This route has been removed from the 2018 mapset. It is shown on previous versions on page PNT 117
Description	Access is no longer granted to this parcel of private property, and this route should be now be considered trespassing. Active logging operations and heavy truck traffic can make this route unsafe to visitors.

Alert	Alert 10-1. Major Road Construction Project Highway 101 2017-19
Area	Olympic National Park
Trail/s
Date
Last Updated
Status
Map Pages
Description	Beginning in mid-July 2017, the National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration will rehabilitate 12 miles of Highway 101 around Lake Crescent and four miles of East Beach Road.
	Construction will not affect the trail corridor in Section 10, but this project will cause traffic delays on Hwy 101 between Port Angeles and Forks, Washington. PNT’ers traveling to Forks or Ozette Lake/ Cape Alava from the north will be affected. Learn more about these traffic delays here.
Resources	Lake Crescent Hwy Project Page

Helpful Links

Road Conditions

Fire and Weather Resources

Montana & Idaho Region Contacts

Eastern Washington Region Contacts

Western Washington Region Contacts

Emergency Management Contacts by State and County

Road Conditions

Looking to access a portion of the PNT or get to your favorite hike? Check with local authorities for any alerts, reports or closures.

Montana Department of Transportation – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Idaho Transportation Department – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Washington Department of Transportation – Website, Facebook and Twitter

US Forest Service Interactive Road Map – Website

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Road Conditions – Website

Colville National Forest Road Conditions – Website

Idaho Panhandle National Forest Road Conditions – Website

Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest Road Conditions – Website

Olympic National Forest Road Conditions – Website

Fire and Weather Resources

For the most up to date information on fires, weather patterns and snow conditions in your area.

InciWeb – Website, Facebook and Twitter. Search by state or fire name to get the latest updates and fire reports.

Northwest Interagency Coordination Center – Website. Washington and Oregon fire updates and news, evacuation information and interactive maps.

Northern Rockies Coordination Center – Website. Idaho, Montana and North Dakota fire updates and news, evacuation information and interactive maps.

National Interagency Coordination Center – Website. National intelligence and predictive fire services.

Northwest Fires – Website and Twitter. Regional briefings, outlooks and fire updates.

AirNow – Website, Facebook and Twitter. Air Quality Index (AQI) measurements, smoke maps and fire conditions.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Website, Facebook and Twitter. For up to date weather and forecasts for your area.

Northwest Avalanche Center – Website, Facebook and Twitter. Mountain weather, snow conditions and avalanche warnings.

Montana & Idaho Region Contacts

Montana and Idaho land management agency contacts.

Montana State Parks – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Glacier National Park – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Kootenai National Forest – Website and Twitter

Flathead National Forest – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Bureau of Land Management, Montana – Website, Facebook, Twitter and fire Twitter.

Idaho State Parks & Recreation – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Idaho Pan Handle National Forest – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Bureau of Land Management, Idaho – Website, Facebook, Twitter and fire Twitter

Eastern Washington Region Contacts

Eastern Washington land management agency contacts.

Colville National Forest – Website and Twitter

Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Bureau of Land Management, Oregon and Washington – Website, Facebook and Twitter.

Western Washington Region Contacts

Western Washington land management agency contacts.

Washington Department of Natural Resources – Website, Facebook, Twitter and fire Twitter. Links to daily updates and preparedness information.

Washington State Parks – Website, Facebook and Twitter.

North Cascades National Park – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Olympic National Forest – Website and Twitter

Olympic National Park – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Emergency Management Contacts by State and County

Contact information for local sheriff and emergency offices. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Montana

Montana State Official – Website and Twitter

Glacier – Website and Facebook

Flathead – Website and Facebook

Lincoln – Website and Facebook

Idaho

Idaho State Official – Website and Twitter

Boundary – Website and Facebook

Bonner – Website and Facebook

Washington

Washington State Official – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Pend Orielle – Website

Stevens – Website

Ferry – Website and Facebook

Okanogan – Website and Facebook

Whatcom – Website, Facebook and Twitter

Skagit – Website and Facebook

Island – Website and Facebook

Jefferson – Website

Clallam – Website and Facebook

Pacific Northwest Trail Alerts

Trail Alerts

Section 1 Rocky Mountains

Section 2 Purcell Mountains

Section 3 Selkirk Mountains

Section 4 Kettle River Range

Section 5 Okanogan Highlands

Section 6 Pasayten Wilderness

Holman Fire Closure Map

Detour Map

Section 7 North Cascades

Section 8 Puget Sound

Section 9 Olympic Mountains

Section 10 Wilderness Coast

Helpful Links

Road Conditions

Fire and Weather Resources

Montana & Idaho Region Contacts

Eastern Washington Region Contacts

Western Washington Region Contacts

Emergency Management Contacts by State and County

Montana

Idaho

Washington

America’s Wildest Trail is Yours to Explore and Yours to Protect