Last Updated: September 20th, 2021 3:30 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
| Trail Alert # | 1-20: Hay Creek Fire |
| Area | Flathead National Forest |
| Date | 7.22.21 |
| Last Updated | 8.24.21 |
| Current Status | 13 miles of the primary route remain closed four miles west of Polebridge, Montana. |
| Map Pages | 004-008 |
| Trail/s and Road/s Closed | See Revised Closure Map Below |
| Description | Flathead National Forest: The primary route of the PNT has been temporarily closed along Hay Creek Road between Polebridge and Red Meadow Lake Campground. See USFS map provided for more information. PNT visitors may use the detour routes described here to bypass the closure.
Until further notice, PNT visitors are encouraged to take the Inside North Fork Road, Stage 4C of North Fork Road (Stage 5C) between Polebridge and the primary route to avoid this area. Closure Map Revised: On August 24th, the Flathead National Forest reduced the closure area. 13 miles of the primary route of the PNT remain closed. Evacuation Warning Lifted: On August 18th, the Flathead County Sheriff’s office lifted evacuation warnings. The Flathead NF is currently evaluating the closure order in effect. Glacier National Park Visitors: Glacier National Park has resumed issuing permits for the PNT and other areas in the northwest corner of the park. |
| Revised Detour | Westbound from Polebridge:
Northern alternate route — follow the route labeled 4C Inside North Fork Road Connector north for 6 miles. Continue west on the Tuchuck Mountain Alternate 4A and 5A for 39 miles to rejoin the PNT primary route just east of Mt Wam at waypoint 1.57P. (See PNTA strip maps and overview maps for more information). Primary route detour — starting at mile 54.6 (1.32P) , follow the North Fork Road north for approximately 6.5 miles. Turn left (west) on Red Meadow Road 115. Follow FR 115 for 12 miles to rejoin the primary route southwest of the Red Meadow Lake Campground at mile 74.4 (1.42P). |
| Resources | Flathead National Forest |
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 3-9. Primary Route Closure |
| Area | Private Timber Land IDFG Large Tracts Program |
| Date | 7.19.21 |
| Last Updated | |
| Current Status | Primary route closed west of Lookout Mountain |
| Map Pages | Map Pages: 029 |
| Road/s Closed | N/A |
| Description | On July 15th, 2021, access to the PNT on privately-owned timber land has temporarily been closed due to “extraordinary wildfire risk.” The closure will last until further notice. PNT users can follow Lion Creek Road to bypass the closure as shown on the detour map provided. |
| Resources | Idaho Department of Fish and Game Blog
PNTA Strip Map Page 029 V5.1 |
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Alert |
Alert 4-8: Bulldog Mountain Fire Closures |
|
Area |
Northeast Kettle Crest Trail System |
|
Date |
8.8.21 |
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Last Updated |
9.17.21 |
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Current Status |
The PNT and Kettle Crest remain open. Taylor Ridge and other area trails east of the crest remain closed. |
|
Map Pages |
045-47 |
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Closures |
Closed Roads FS 6113070 FS 6100090 FS 6110000 FS 611325Closed Trails Trail 74 – Taylor Ridge Trail East of Bulldog Cabin Rd FS6113 Trail 98 – Mack/King TrailSee official closure order and map for the most current list of closures. |
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Resources |
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Alert |
Alert 4-1: Hazardous Trail Conditions PNT Primary Route |
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Area |
Bushwhack to the Sanpoil River west of Highway 21, south of Republic, Washington. |
|
Date |
6.25.2018 |
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Last Updated |
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Current Status |
Primary route is not recommended until further notice |
|
Map Pages |
050 |
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Trail/s Closed |
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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. |
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Resources |
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Alert |
Alert 5-6: Bonaparte Lake Area Fires |
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Area |
Okanogan Highlands |
|
Trails and Road/s Closed |
22 miles of the PNT are closed between Meadow Creek Road and Mill Creek Road due to the Walker Creek and Spur Mountain Fires. |
|
Date |
8.5.21 |
|
Last Updated |
9.17.21 |
|
Map Pages |
PNT 053-56 |
| Description |
Wildfire activity north of SR 20 in the greater Bonaparte Lake area has prompted a large area closure on the Colville National Forest. Visitors should avoid the area by finding transportation between Republic and Havillah or Oroville.
The Walker Creek Fire perimeter includes areas west and southwest of Bonaparte Lake. The PNT is closed from Meadow Creek Road, mile 545 to the Highlands SnoPark at Mill Creek Road, mile 567. See USFS closure map and order for a complete list of closures. PNT hikers should avoid this area until further notice.
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| Detour | Westbound PNT hikers should seek transportation between Republic, Washington to rejoin the PNT near Havillah or in Oroville until further notice.
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| Resources
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Colville National Forest |
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Alert |
Alert 6-10. Canyon Creek Bridge Destroyed |
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Area |
Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, PNT Section 6 |
|
Trail/s |
Jackita Ridge Trail (Side trail to the PNT) |
|
Date |
6.19.19 |
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Last Updated |
6.19.19 |
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Status |
Canyon Creek Bridge destroyed by tree |
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Map Pages |
N/A |
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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.
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Resources |
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest |
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Alert |
Alert 7-12. Trail and Camp Closures in North Cascades Ntl Park |
|
Area |
Chilliwack area and Bear Creek |
|
Trail/s Closed |
The primary route of the PNT remains open at this time. Additional closures are possible. Park officials have closed portions of the Copper Ridge and Chilliwack trails due to the fire’s proximity. The Copper Ridge Trail is closed from Copper Lookout to the junction with the Chilliwack Trail. The Chilliwack Trail is closed from the junction of Brush Creek Trail to terminus. Backcountry campsites closures: Copper Lake, Bear Creek, Indian Creek, and Little Chilliwack camp |
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Date |
7.31.21 |
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Last Updated |
8.2.21 |
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Map Pages |
Map Page/s: 078 |
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Description |
A large fire is active in the Chilliwack area in North Cascades National Park. The Bear Creek Fire was detected Friday morning and is about 100 acres and growing.
Firefighters are assessing the fire for opportunities to safely engage. The fire is in a remote area of the Stephen Mather Wilderness with steep terrain and a heavy, low-moisture fuel load as the result of an abnormally dry, hot summer. The PNT remains open, but the fire remains active and additional closures are possible. The biggest concern at this time is with smoke and hazardous air quality in the area. Current air quality conditions may be unknown in many parts of the park, especially in Wilderness areas.
Westbound PNT thru-hikers should not expect to have reliable service in the Pasayten Wilderness or North Cascades National Park.
If additional trail closures are needed — and it no longer becomes possible to traverse the park along the PNT — NPS will post signage at multiple locations on the trail, including the East Bank Trailhead.
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Resources |
North Cascades National Park |
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Alert |
Alert 7-11. Primary Route Closed on Mt Josephine |
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Area |
Sierra Pacific property/ WA DNR, Harry Osborne-Les Hilde State Forest, PNT Section 7 |
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Trail/s Closed |
FR 313, Mt Josephine Truck Trail, E. Josephine Ridge Trail, primary route |
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Date |
6.26.21 |
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Last Updated |
6.28.21 |
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Status |
Status – The PNT will be closed for a timber harvest June – September 2021, or until further notice |
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Map Pages |
Map Page/s: 086 |
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Description |
Timber harvests along the PNT on Sierra Pacific property, beginning in the summer of 2021 will bring logging activity, heavy truck traffic and trail closures to 4.2 miles of the PNT until further notice. PNT users can bypass the closure by following a series of forest roads to the north. Signage will be posted along the 3.7 mile-long detour route.
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Resources |
See detour map 086 V5.1 |
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Alert |
Alert 7-9. No Vehicle Access to Pioneer Camp Trailhead |
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Area |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF, PNT Section 7 |
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Trail/s |
N/A |
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Date |
4.21.19 |
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Last Updated |
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Status |
Status – A washout prevents access to vehicles to the Pioneer Camp Trailhead |
|
Map Pages |
Map Page/s: 085 |
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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. |
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Resources |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
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Alert |
Alert 7-6. No Vehicle Access to Hannegan Pass Trailhead |
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Area |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF, PNT Section 7 |
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Trail/s |
Hannegan Pass Road |
|
Date |
5.7.18 |
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Last Updated |
7.20.18 |
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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 |
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Description |
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Resources |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
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Alert |
Alert 9-11 Undi Road Closure |
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Area |
PNT Section 9, Stage 46 |
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Road/s Closed |
Portions of Undi Road |
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Date |
8.22.20 |
| Last Updated |
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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. |
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Map Pages |
Map Pages: 114 – V4.1 |
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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. |
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Resources |
Jefferson County, WA Public Works Department |
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Alert |
Alert 9-9 Little Skidder Hill Detour |
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Area |
PNT Section 9, Stage 42 |
|
Trail/s |
Pacific Northwest Trail |
|
Date |
7.28.19 |
| Last Updated |
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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. |
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Map Pages |
Map Pages: 101 |
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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. |
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Resources |
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Alert |
Alert 9-5 PNT, Olympic Hot Springs Road Closure |
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Area |
Olympic NP, PNT Section 9 |
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Trail/s |
N/A |
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Date |
1.27.18 |
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Last Updated |
4.17.18 |
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Status |
Status – Closed to Vehicles (will not affect PNT hikers traveling through) |
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Map Pages |
Map Pages: 108 |
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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. |
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Resources |
Current road conditions in Olympic NP |
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Alert |
Alert 9-1. PNT, Gray Wolf – Hurricane Ridge Alternate/s |
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Area |
Olympic National Forest |
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Trail/s |
Lower Gray Wolf Tr 834 |
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Date |
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Last Updated |
5.1.17 |
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Status |
Status – Lower Gray Wolf Trail 834 is impassable until further notice |
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Map Pages |
Map Page/s: 090 |
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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. |
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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. |
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Resources |
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Alert |
Alert 10-4. No access to Cape Flattery or Shi Shi Beach |
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Area |
Olympic National Park North Coast and Makah Tribal Lands |
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Date |
3.13.20 |
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Status |
The Shi Shi Trail, 3rd Beach Trail and Cape Flattery Trail are closed to the general public until “at least October 1, 2021.” |
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Map Pages |
N/A |
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Description |
The Pacific Northwest Trail is not located on Makah Tribal Lands; its western terminus is located on public land at Cape Alava in Olympic National Park. However, many park visitors, including PNT thru-hikers choose to explore areas further north along the coast that may only be accessed by trailheads on Makah Tribal Lands.
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 and until further notice, businesses and properties owned by the Makah Tribe will be limiting or closing public access… The Shi Shi Trail and Cape Flattery Trail will remain open to Makah Tribal members, however it will be closed to the general public until further notice, as well as the 3rd Beach trail commonly used for surfing activities. Learn more at: www.makah.com |
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