Last Updated: May 12th, 2022 3:15 pm PST
Pacific Northwest Trail Alerts
Major issues, such as trail and road closures affecting access to the Pacific Northwest Trail are logged as Trail Alerts. For thru-hikers and other PNT users who remain in the field for extended periods of time, the PNTA shares Trail Alerts through a free, email system. Subscribe at the link below.
PNT users should always check for wildfire closures before their visit. Temporary fire restrictions may also be in effect. In many areas along the trail, campfires and certain camp stoves may be temporarily or permanently restricted due to risk of wildfire.
Seasonal Statement — always check road, weather and trail conditions before your visit. Visitors should always be prepared for rugged conditions, route-finding challenges, and inclement weather.
Trail Alerts
The PNT is wild and rugged. It passes through areas where forecasts and current info may not exist. Mountains and wilderness are dynamic places and conditions you experience may be different than those reported here. The information shown on this webpage is reported by agency partners, staff, and visitors like you.
You can share information about trail conditions using the form below. If you see smoke or flames dial 911 or report the incident to a ranger as soon as possible. Contact PNTA for trail information at 360-854-9415.
Report a Trail Alert
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
| Alert | Alert 3-10. Lion Edge Closures |
| Area | Idaho Dept. of Lands |
| Date | 9.5.21 |
| Last Updated | |
| Current Status | Primary route closures along Lion Creek in 2022 |
| Map Pages | Map Pages: 029 |
| Description | After the Labor Day Holiday, September 6th, 2022, the primary route of the PNT will be closed for visitor safety during a timber harvest along Lion Creek Road.
PNT visitors should be aware that Lion Creek Trailhead, Lion Creek Road, and the primary route of the PNT between mile 286 and 287.5 will be closed for public safety once the harvest begins. During the closures, PNT visitors may follow the Lions Head Ridge Alternate (Stage 15A) to bypass the closure as shown on the detour map provided. Visitors should be aware of the challenging terrain found in this area. See PNTA strip maps and our Challenges and Risks webpage for more information. |
| Resources | Idaho Dept. of Lands
PNTA Strip Map Page 029 |
|
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 |
|
Alert |
Alert 5-6: Bonaparte Lake Area Fires |
|
Area |
Okanogan Highlands |
|
Trails and Road/s Closed |
22 miles of the PNT are closed near Mt Bonaparte due to the Spur Mountain Fire Closure |
|
Date |
8.5.21 |
|
Last Updated |
5.12.22 |
|
Map Pages |
PNT 053-56 |
| Description |
Several trails on the Colville National Forest including the PNT have been closed until further notice. See attached map for more information.
|
| Detour | The 16-mile long detour begins on the PNT east of Bonaparte Lake at mile 547 and rejoins the trail at mile 569 south of Havillah. See detour map provided for more information. |
| Resources
|
Colville National Forest
|
|
Alert |
Alert 6-10. Canyon Creek Bridge Destroyed |
|
Area |
Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, PNT Section 6 |
|
Trail/s |
Jackita Ridge Trail (Side trail to the PNT) |
|
Date |
6.19.19 |
|
Last Updated |
6.19.19 |
|
Status |
Canyon Creek Bridge destroyed by tree |
|
Map Pages |
N/A |
|
Description |
The Canyon Creek Bridge just north of the Canyon Creek Trailhead on Jackita Ridge Trail #738 was destroyed by a fallen tree. Canyon Creek normally runs very high and would be difficult or dangerous to ford until mid to late summer. This impacts access to the popular Devil’s Dome loop, not the Pacific Northwest Trail.
|
|
Resources |
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest |
|
Alert |
Alert 7-9. No Vehicle Access to Pioneer Camp Trailhead |
|
Area |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF, PNT Section 7 |
|
Trail/s |
N/A |
|
Date |
4.21.19 |
|
Last Updated |
|
|
Status |
Status – A washout prevents access to vehicles to the Pioneer Camp Trailhead |
|
Map Pages |
Map Page/s: 085 |
|
Description |
A washout of Loomis Nooksack Road FR 12 prevents access to vehicles to the Pioneer Camp Trailhead (PNT waypoint 849P). The road is impassable past mile 12 or approximately, 0.5 miles east of the trailhead. |
|
Resources |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
|
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 |
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
|
Alert |
Alert 9-11 Undi Road Closure |
|
Area |
PNT Section 9, Stage 46 |
|
Road/s Closed |
Portions of Undi Road |
|
Date |
8.22.20 |
| Last Updated |
|
|
Status |
Approximately 1.3 miles of Undi Road is closed to vehicles and pedestrians. All PNT visitors should take the Undi Bypass Road around the closure. |
|
Map Pages |
Map Pages: 114 – V4.1 |
|
Description |
The new 2.2 mile long Undi Bypass Road was opened to traffic in November 2016 after a 1.3 mile long segment of old Undie Road was identified as unsafe for motor vehicles. The Bypass ensures continued access between Highway 101 and the Bogachiel Trailhead on the Olympic National Forest. The old Undie Road, which ran along the Bogachiel River, was damaged by a series of flood events in November, 2015 and was closed to vehicles.
In the 2020 season, PNTA and Jefferson County Public Work Dept. determined that the 1.3 mile long segment of the PNT that was previously routed along the old Undie Road is no longer safe for pedestrians to enter due to further erosion and damage to the old road bed. All PNT visitors should avoid the closed area located behind cement barricades and use the new Undi Bypass Road to travel between the Bogachiel Trailhead and Highway 101. |
|
Resources |
Jefferson County, WA Public Works Department |
|
Alert |
Alert 9-9 Little Skidder Hill Detour |
|
Area |
PNT Section 9, Stage 42 |
|
Trail/s |
Pacific Northwest Trail |
|
Date |
7.28.19 |
| Last Updated |
|
|
Status |
Multiple trails in Stage 42 have not been maintained in recent years. Consider using alternate routes to bypass the primary route until further notice. |
|
Map Pages |
Map Pages: 101 |
|
Description |
The Little Skidder Trail has not been maintained in several years and requires extensive bushwhacking to traverse. To bypass the area, take the alternate route shown. From waypoint 1019P at Crocker Lake, follow Hwy 101 south to Boulton Farms Road. Proceed through the orange gate with a white sign labeled, “Private Tree Farm… non-motorized use welcome.” Then follow forest road marked with yellow signs along second forest road labeled, “Warning buried water main” south toward Snow Creek Road FR 2850. No camping or fires are permitted on private property. Dispersed camping is permitted on the adjacent Olympic National Forest west of waypoint 1024P. |
|
Resources |
|
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 9-1. 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 |
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
Helpful Links
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
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 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
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
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
Washington
Washington State Official – Website, Facebook and Twitter
Pend Orielle – Website
Stevens – Website
Okanogan – Website and Facebook
Whatcom – Website, Facebook and Twitter
Jefferson – Website