By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has closed the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) as a point of entry into Canada, requiring hikers to use designated border crossings instead. This change affects the 13-kilometer Canadian portion of the 4,265-kilometer trail, aligning Canadian policy with U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations. The nearest border crossings are approximately 100 kilometers from the trail’s terminus, potentially adding significant travel time and logistical complexity for hikers. This decision, announced after a period of COVID-related closure, may impact the hundreds of hikers who previously visited Manning Park Resort annually.
Read the original article here
Canada has closed the border crossing on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between British Columbia and the United States. This means that the previously available permit system allowing hikers to seamlessly cross the border while completing the trail has been discontinued. No permits are currently being issued.
This change significantly alters the experience for PCT hikers aiming to complete the trail’s full length. Previously, hikers could obtain a permit in advance, allowing them to continue their journey uninterrupted across the border. Now, all hikers must divert from the trail to reach a designated border checkpoint, a process adding considerable time and logistical complexity. The nearest checkpoints are located almost 100 kilometers away from the trail’s border crossing.
The reasons behind this closure remain somewhat unclear, though several factors likely contributed. The comments suggest a tightening of border security measures on both sides, a response perhaps driven by increased concerns over illegal crossings and national security. The ending of the permit system is not necessarily indicative of new policies, but rather a complete cessation of a previously existing, smaller-scale program for a niche group of long-distance hikers. This means it may not be a political response, but a realignment of resources and policy.
The closure has understandably caused frustration among PCT hikers. Many express disappointment at the loss of a convenient and previously established method for completing the trail, lamenting the extra travel required to navigate border procedures. The extra time, gas costs and effort needed to reach and return from a distant checkpoint have made completing the Canadian portion significantly less attractive for some. The added logistical burden makes the final miles of the PCT feel less rewarding and more of a chore.
The impact extends beyond the hikers themselves. Local businesses near the border crossing, particularly those catering to PCT hikers, are expected to suffer from a decrease in tourism and revenue. This is potentially a significant blow to these businesses, which often rely on the influx of hikers. While some see this as a minor inconvenience, others point out the economic ramifications for Canadian businesses that previously benefitted from the traffic generated by the permit program. The closure could influence many to simply stop their hike at the border, foregoing the final Canadian stretch entirely.
Many commenters express a range of opinions on the political implications, with some voicing frustration at perceived negative relations between the two countries. These sentiments are likely fueled by wider geopolitical tensions, and the closure is viewed by some as another manifestation of these growing concerns. The border closure is seen by some as Canada reacting to the policies of the United States government. Others highlight the economic realities, emphasizing Canada’s greater dependence on the US economy and the potential negative consequences of straining the relationship.
The closure of the border crossing is a change with far-reaching consequences, affecting hikers, businesses, and the overall relationship between the two countries. The implications extend beyond the initial frustration of trail completion and point to a larger trend of tightening border security and increasing logistical hurdles for international travel. While the discontinuation of the permit system appears to be simply a halting of a program, it’s the effect on hikers and the wider implication for binational relations that will be felt the most profoundly. It’s a situation that highlights the complex interplay between national security concerns, tourism, and the realities of cross-border travel in an increasingly interconnected world.