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On August 27, a northern section of the Pacific Crest Trail reopened after wildfires diverted hikers for the past month. The roughly 30-mile section between Rainy Pass and Hart’s Pass closed in late July as a result of the Easy Fire in the Methow Valley. As of today, the fire has burned 2,130 acres and is 36 percent contained. The final section of trail is now open for thru-hikers reaching the end of their journeys.
Hart’s Pass, which sits less than 30 miles from the northern terminus, is a landmark along the trail. It’s home to the nearest road to the terminus on the US side, making it a popular entry and exit point for thru-hikers; some northbound trekkers retrace their steps to Hart’s Pass after tagging the northern border (others cross into Canada and travel home from there). It’s also a common entry point for southbound hikers beginning their thru-hikes.
The reopening means that hikers will no longer need to bypass the scenic Cutthroat Pass, a highlight of the North Cascades.
Closures along the PCT are increasingly common during wildfire season. Last August, thru-hikers in Washington contended with a roughly 20-mile closure from Stehekin to Rainy Pass. As fire season coincides with the tail end of thru-hiking season, many thru-hikers face uncertain conclusions to their monthslong treks, and anxiety about reroutes is common.
While hikers now have the green light to tackle the northernmost stretch of the PCT, other sections of the trail remain closed. The Pacific Crest Trail Association PCTA) maintains an updated log of trail closures and alerts on their website.
While the path to the terminus remains clear for the time being, the PCTA warns hikers that it might not last: “There are still hot and dry days predicted for September so as always everyone should be aware of their surroundings and the potential for new wildfire starts,” the group wrote on their website. They also warned hikers of the potential for increasing fire activity and smoke from existing fires as the season continues.
From 2024