Hiker Headlines: PCT Canada entry program discontinued, lowland snow this weekend

It’s Jan. 30. The Canada Border Services Agency has discontinued the Canada Pacific Crest Trail Entry Permit program. There’s lowland snow in the forecast across the state this weekend! Olympic National Forest firewood permits are now available by mail. And Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a prescribed burn planned next week. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Hikers will no longer be able to enter Canada along the PCT with the ending of the Canada Entry Permit program. Photo of the monument at the PCT Northern Terminus by Tiffany Chou.

PCT Canada Entry Permit program discontinued: The Canada Border Services Agency has discontinued the Canada Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Entry Permit program, meaning hikers can no longer enter Canada along the PCT. Previously, PCT hikers could apply for a Canada Entry Permit and hike along the PCT across the US/CA border to Manning Park, a provincial park in Canada. Now, hikers reaching the PCT's Northern Terminus will need to backtrack approximately 30 miles south to Harts Pass, which is the most convenient accessible trailhead from the Northern Terminus. 

Brr! Lowland snow incoming: Snow is in the forecast across the state this weekend — even near sea level! Pack your traction devices, warm and dry layers and something warm to drink if you’re heading into the mountains this weekend. Hikers planning to visit their local neighborhood trails should also be careful — it might be slippery outside. 

Firewood permits available by mail: Olympic Peninsula residents can now get Olympic National Forest personal-use firewood permits through the mail. Permits are free and allow the collection of six cords of firewood from the national forest per calendar year. To obtain a permit, fill out the permit form and email or mail it to the national forest. More information can be found on the national forest’s website. 

Prescribed fire activity: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has scheduled a prescribed burn in the Libby Creek area in the Methow Valley Ranger District for next week. Be aware of smoke if in the area. 

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