Last Updated: July 23, 2021 6:30 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 check for wildfire closures and fire restrictions before their visit. 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
Beginning Friday, July 23, Washington DNR is closing all recreational and public access to DNR-managed lands in eastern Washington due to the extreme fire danger and ongoing drought east of the Cascades.
This closure will apply to the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail where it crosses DNR-managed state lands, conservation areas, community forests and any associated roads, trails, campgrounds, recreational sites or recreational facilities.
This closure includes the following notable trail segments:
+ Two miles of the PNT at the summit of Abercrombie Mountain (Section 3).
+ 17 miles of the PNT on the Loomis State Forest and other state lands which border the eastern boundary of the Pasayten Wilderness (Sections 5 and 6).
Access to the Wilderness from the east is currently possible from the Iron Gate Trailhead via the Toats Coulee Road (NFS Road 3900). Visitors may NOT camp, travel, or stop off of the road anywhere on the Loomis State Forest. See PNTA detour map for more information.
+ Additional restrictions or closures of public lands east of the Cascades are likely.
DNR staff will continually monitor conditions, and a reopening date for recreation access will be determined once these factors improve. DNR has been working closing with all the affected partner agencies who agree that the fire risk is too great not to move forward with the closure.
To get updates on recreation openings and closures, visit dnr.wa.gov/open.
Last updated: 7.23.21
The Mazama/ Winthrop area and the National Forest to the south of the Pasayten Wilderness is heavily impacted by wildfire. SR 20, the North Cascade Highway has partially closed. Mazama, WA is under a partial Level 3 Evacuation. Multiple trailheads that give access to the Pasayten Wilderness along the Chewuch Road have temporarily closed.
Due to multiple wildfires along the North Cascades Highway/ SR 20 corridor, SR 20 has closed between the Lost River Road in Mazama and Washington Pass. This closure will impact PNT thru-hikers planning to resupply in Mazama/ Winthrop from the East Bank Trailhead in North Cascades National Park. There is no estimate for when the highway will reopen so people should plan to use US 2 or I-90 for cross-state travel until further notice.
Multiple lightning-caused fires are burning in the area. On July 10th, Okanogan County Emergency Management issued a Level 1 Advisory for the town of Mazama and Lost River Areas. On July 19th, they issued a Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation for portions of Mazama and other areas along SR 20.
The Cedar Creek Fire is currently a significant distance south of the PNT, but it has greatly impacted the town of Mazama with heavy smoke. A full evacuation is possible. If the Lost River Road becomes closed or evacuated, vehicular access to Harts Pass and other trailheads that provide access to the PCT and PNT in the western Pasayten Wilderness will not be possible. See fire closure map for more information.
North of Winthrop, the Cub Creek Fire is active. It is a significant distance south of the PNT, but the fire has prompted closures of multiple Pasayten Wilderness Trailheads along the Chewuch Road north of Winthrop. Winthrop has been greatly impacted by heavy smoke and air quality is considered hazardous. See the fire closure map for more information.
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Okanogan County Emergency Management
Last updated: 7.23.21
The Cedar Creek Fire is located southwest of Mazama
The Cub Creek Fire is located north of Winthrop
| Trail Alert # | 1-20: Hay Creek Fire |
| Area | Flathead National Forest |
| Date | 7.22.21 |
| Last Updated | 7.23.21 |
| Current Status | An active wildfire is burning near the PNT, five miles west of Polebridge, Montana |
| Map Pages | 006-008 |
| Trail/s and Road/s Closed | See Closure Map |
| Description | The primary route of the PNT has been temporarily closed along the Hay Creek Road between Polebridge and Red Meadow Lake Campground. See USFS map provided for more information. PNT visitors may use the detour described here to bypass the closure.
Visitors following the current detour along the North Fork Road should be aware that an evacuation warning was issued on July 22nd for that area. Please see the attached Hay Creek Fire Evacuation Warning Map dated 22JUL2021. If an evacuation order is issued, PNT visitors can take the Inside North Fork Road, Stage 4C to bypass the closure. Glacier National Park Visitors: Backcountry permits are not being issued for areas north of Polebridge including: Quartz, Bowman, Akokala, Kintla, Kishenehn and Round Prairie drainages. The Park has made this precautionary measure in case the fire expands towards those areas. The area currently remains open for day use on trails and for frontcountry camping. |
| Detour | Westbound from Polebridge: follow the northern alternate route labeled 5C North Fork Road Connector north for 7 miles. Continue west on the Tuchuck Mountain Alternate 5A for 32 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). |
| Resources | Flathead National Forest |
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
| 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 |
|
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 5-3: Chopaka Grade Road Closure |
|
Area |
Okanogan Highlands |
|
Road/s Closed |
Chopaka Grade Road will close on Thursday, June 17th 2021 |
|
Date |
6-17-2021 |
|
Last Updated |
6-28-2021 |
|
Map Pages |
PNT 061 |
|
Description |
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the temporary closure of nine miles of Chopaka Road near the Loomis State Forest for forest management operations. The closure will begin on Thursday, June 17. The closure is expected to last for three months. “The same route will be closed as it was in May and will be clearly marked, so visitors know where to go,” said Pat Ryan, Northeast Region Assistant Manager. “The route takes users up Toats Coulee to Nine Mile Road and then down to Chopaka Lake.” The detour route is approximately 1.2 miles longer than the primary route of the PNT and PNTA asks that visitors plan accordingly. |
| Detour | See PNTA map provided |
|
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 7-11. Primary Route Closed on Mt Josephine |
|
Area |
Sierra Pacific property/ WA DNR, Harry Osborne-Les Hilde State Forest, PNT Section 7 |
|
Trail/s Closed |
FR 313, Mt Josephine Truck Trail, E. Josephine Ridge Trail, primary route |
|
Date |
6.26.21 |
|
Last Updated |
6.28.21 |
|
Status |
Status – The PNT will be closed for a timber harvest June – September 2021, or until further notice |
|
Map Pages |
Map Page/s: 086 |
|
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.
|
|
Resources |
See detour map 086 V5.1 |
|
Alert |
Alert 7-10. Mt Baker Highway (Hwy 542) to Artist Point Closed |
|
Area |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF, PNT Section 7 |
|
Trail/s |
N/A |
|
Date |
|
|
Last Updated |
5.14.21 |
|
Status |
Status – A landslide in the Mt Baker Ski area has closed the last 2 miles of Hwy 542 |
|
Map Pages |
Map Page/s: 080 |
|
Description |
A landslide of Hwy 542 has closed access to the Lake Ann Trailhead and Artist Point Trailhead (PNT waypoint 7.18P). The road is closed beyond the Austin Pass Picnic Area until further notice. The PNT will remain open. The PNT follows the Wild Goose Trail 684.3 between the Bagley Lakes Trailhead and the Lake Ann Trailhead and is not expected to be impacted by the closure. |
|
Resources |
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie 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 |
|
Alert |
Alert 10-5. No access to Second Beach or La Push |
|
Area |
Olympic National Park South Coast and Quileute Tribal Lands |
| Date | 3.13.20 |
|
Last Updated |
6.26.21 |
|
Status |
Second Beach Trailhead and the Quileute Reservation, including La Push, will reopen to the general public on July 12th, 2021. |
|
Map Pages |
119 |
|
Description |
The Pacific Northwest Trail passes through the community of La Push on the Quileute Reservation. The reservation was closed to the general public in March of 2020. PNT users can take the Stage 49A detour along Mora and La Push Roads to bypass the closure until the reservation reopens to the public on July 12th.
Learn more at: www.quileutenation.org |
|
Alert |
Alert 10-4. No access to Cape Flattery or Shi Shi Beach |
|
Area |
Olympic National Park North Coast and Makah Tribal Lands |
|
Date |
3.13.20 |
|
Status |
The Shi Shi Trail, 3rd Beach Trail and Cape Flattery Trail are closed to the general public until “at least October 1, 2021.” |
|
Map Pages |
N/A |
|
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