Last Updated: August 28th, 2020 5:25pm 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
Section 1 Rocky Mountains
Section 1 Rocky Mountains
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
| Trail Alert # | 1-18: Temporary Trail Closures in Glacier National Park |
| Area | Glacier National Park |
| Date | 6.25.20 |
| Last Updated | |
| Current Status | 34 miles of the PNT is “closed to all access” between the Eastern Terminus at Chief Mountain Customs and Brown Pass |
| Map Pages | 001 – 004a |
| Trail/s Closed | Belly River Tr, Cosley Lake Cutoff Tr, Stoney Indian Pass Tr, Waterton Valley Tr, Waterton Lake Tr, Boulder Pass Tr, Brown Pass Tr |
| Description | The east side of Glacier National Park, from the Continental Divide to the park boundary, remain closed to all access. No entrance to the park is permitted from the east side until further notice. |
| Resources | Glacier National Park |
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
|
Alert |
Alert 5-2: Palmer Fire |
|
Area |
Okanogan Highlands |
|
Road/s Closed |
Road closures impacting the PNT were lifted on August 28th.
The following roads remain closed:
|
|
Date |
8-19-2020 |
|
Last Updated |
8-28-20 |
|
Map Pages |
PNT 060-061 |
|
Description |
Per InciWeb: The Palmer Fire started on August 18th, 2020. The Palmer Fire started on August 18th, 2020. It is currently 75% contained. Local and federal firefighters responded to the fire and worked in tandem with air resources, prioritizing structure protection and slowing fire progression. Over the next several days, additional resources arrived to assist, constructing containment lines along multiple flanks and conducting burnout operations where necessary and appropriate. Fire activity decreased significantly over the following weekend, and firefighting efforts began to shift from suppression and containment to holding and mop-up. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s department and the Okanogan County Emergency Management Department are notifying the public of changing evacuation levels in the area. |
| Detour | As of August 28th, detours are no longer required |
|
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|
|
Resources |
InciWeb |
Section 6 Pasayten Wilderness
|
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 |
Section 7 North Cascades
|
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 |
Section 8 Puget Sound
No trail alerts are currently in effect. Check trail conditions here.
Section 9 Olympic Mountains
|
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 |
Section 10 Wilderness Coast
|
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 further notice |
|
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 |
|
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. |
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
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
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
Washington
Washington State Official – Website, Facebook and Twitter
Pend Orielle – Website
Stevens – Website
Okanogan – Website and Facebook
Whatcom – Website, Facebook and Twitter
Jefferson – Website