Northern Terminus and Manning Park Access Context
Overview
The northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail is located on the United States–Canada border in the North Cascades. Historically, some hikers have continued to or from Manning Park in British Columbia, subject to current cross-border and permitting rules.
Key points
- The official northern terminus is a monument on the international border, reached by trail from the south.
- Historically, an additional footpath extended north from the monument to a trailhead near Manning Park in British Columbia, but access and legality depend on current regulations.
- Cross-border travel regulations, permits, and entry requirements are set by national authorities and can change over time.
- Many hikers currently plan to start and finish within the United States and arrange road transport from the nearest U.S. trailheads.
- Information from the Pacific Crest Trail Association and relevant government agencies is essential for understanding the latest legal options for reaching or leaving the terminus.
Details
At its northern end, the Pacific Crest Trail reaches a monument on the United States–Canada border in a remote section of the North Cascades. The terminus is accessible on foot from the south via the main trail corridor and is a symbolic and practical endpoint for many long-distance hikers. The area around the monument is forested and does not have direct road access, so reaching or departing from the site requires additional planning beyond simply touching the marker.
In past years, some hikers continued north from the monument along a connecting trail toward a trailhead near Manning Park in British Columbia. Because this involves crossing an international boundary, it falls under immigration, customs, and land management regulations set by the United States and Canada. These regulations, as well as any special permits or entry authorizations specific to trail travel, can change over time.
As a result, many hikers design their itineraries to begin and end within the United States, arranging access to the northern portion of the trail via U.S. highways and trailheads such as those near Rainy Pass or Hart’s Pass. In these cases, the northern terminus is reached as an out-and-back from the nearest legal access point, or within the constraints of any applicable regulations.
Because legal frameworks and practical access routes can evolve, general descriptions cannot substitute for current guidance from the Pacific Crest Trail Association, national park and forest agencies, and the border authorities of both countries. Hikers interested in starting or finishing their journeys via Manning Park or other cross-border routes typically consult these official sources well in advance to understand what is currently permitted and how to comply with all requirements.
Regardless of the specific access method, the northern terminus represents the completion of the Pacific Crest Trail’s approximate 2,650-mile length for those who travel the full route between the Mexican and Canadian borders.
Related topics
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Illustrative hiking footage
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