Canada closes border between B.C.-U.S. crossing at Pacific Crest Trail

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is closing entry to the country along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

The 4,265-kilometre trail stretches from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington state. The vast majority of the trail is in the U.S., but a small 13-kilometre extension stretches into Canada within E.C. Manning Park, southeast of Hope in southern B.C.

Previously, hikers were able to apply in advance for a permit that would allow them to hike across the border on the trail, but the CBSA said Monday that the rules have changed.  

"Hikers from the U.S. without a permit who wish to complete the Canadian portion of the trail will from now on be required to first enter Canada via a designated port of entry," the CBSA said in a release, noting that the change brings it into alignment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which does not allow travellers to enter the U.S. from Canada on the trail.

The closest entries into Canada are Abbotsford and Osoyoos, both of which are approximately 100 kilometres away from the trail.

Trail users headed north will need to double back and find a way to get to one of the two border crossings by road or other means.

For hikers who complete the 13-kilometre Canadian section of the trail, the terminus is at Manning Park Resort, where, according to general manager Vern Schram, many people will have packages delivered in advance with clean clothes and supplies.

Schram said hikers will often stay at the resort for a day or two of recovery or at least for a meal at the restaurants. He said in the late summer and early fall — prior to this border change — several hundred PCT hikers would have stopped at Manning Park Resort.

"We get the happy smile face. We get the 'I just need to have a shower before I talk to anybody first,'" said Schram.

"We get them in the best state, right? They're really excited. They're rejuvenated, they're refreshed, so we get to see the best of these people, and it's really quite exciting for our staff to get to host them at the end of such an accomplishment." 

But Schram said with the change, completing the Canadian section of the trail after more than 4,200 kilometres could add three or more days of logistically complicated travel. 

"It's quite an impediment to the last 13 kilometres and an awful lot of effort on their part, so I'm not sure how many people will actually go through with that, or they'll say the border is good enough and that's their final destination," said Schram.

The closure comes as Canada is under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to do more to secure its southern border, although the CBSA did not say whether this decision is related to the president's border concerns.

In a release, the Pacific Crest Trail Association called the decision "disappointing" and asked hikers to respect the rules of the trail and the countries it passes through.

Entry into Canada via the trail was paused from 2020 until 2023 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.