Hikers are no longer being allowed to cross into Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail.
A statement issued Jan. 27 by the Canada Border Services Agency said the new policy aligns with the U.S. prohibition on southbound hikers crossing the border.
The 2,650-mile trail runs from Mexico to Canada, through California, Oregon and Washington. The great majority of thru-hikers — those traveling the full distance in one season — start at the south end in the spring with the intention of reaching Canada before snow falls.
After the northern terminus, most would walk 8 miles farther to the nearest road, Highway 3 in British Columbia’s Manning Park. Under the new order, they will have to double back almost 30 miles to reach the road at Hart’s Pass, in Washington.
Hikers don’t face a similar issue at the Mexican border, because people can drive all the way to that terminus, near Campo, in San Diego County.
The Pacific Crest Trail Association said 700 people reported completing the trail last year. There was a spike in trail traffic after the movie version of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir “Wild,” topping out with 1,196 reported completions in 2018.