Makeshift Monument Marks Trail’s New, Unplanned End as Wildfire Forces Closure of Northernmost Pacific Crest Trail Miles

The year is 2026, and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a legendary thru-hike stretching over 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, is facing an unprecedented challenge. While the allure of reaching the iconic northern terminus at the Canadian border typically marks the triumphant conclusion for northbound hikers, a growing wildfire threat has forced the closure of the final 50 miles of this iconic trail. This drastic measure, implemented by the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), has left a cohort of determined thru-hikers with a bittersweet reality: their epic journey will conclude at a point significantly short of their intended destination. However, in true trail spirit, these resilient adventurers have found a way to commemorate their accomplishment, even if it means creating their own finish line.

On July 29, 2026, Ian "Gremlin" Irwin and his "tramily"—a close-knit group of hikers who form bonds on the trail—reached what would become their de facto end point: Rainy Pass, situated at PCT mile 2,594. This location, usually a mere prelude to the final push towards Canada, now represented the furthest they could travel north. The reason for this abrupt halt is the Ptarmigan Fire, which ignited on July 17, reportedly from a lightning strike, and has been steadily growing to the east of the trail. As of the publication of this article, the wildfire has consumed an estimated 18,000 acres and remains zero percent contained, presenting a significant and immediate danger to the trail and surrounding wilderness.

The PCTA’s announcement of the closure was a gut-punch for many. The affected section includes not only the northern terminus itself but also crucial access points like Hart’s Pass. This closure effectively renders the last leg of the northbound journey impassable and unsafe. For Irwin and his companions, the disappointment was palpable, but rather than succumb to anticlimax, they chose to channel their energy into a unique form of celebration. With the aid of a friend who transported supplies, Irwin, along with five other northbound thru-hikers, meticulously constructed a makeshift monument at Rainy Pass. This symbolic finish line was fashioned from salvaged wood and adorned with black paint, meticulously replicating the appearance of the official terminus, complete with American and Canadian flags.

"It was a kind of finish for us, and we are hoping that for those hikers that end at Rainy Pass it will provide a little bit of closure and fun," shared Irwin, a resident of Portland, Oregon. He explained that the collaborative effort of building the monument served as a crucial outlet for their frustration and the feeling of an incomplete journey. The act of creation provided a sense of agency and shared purpose, transforming a moment of disappointment into an unexpected adventure.

Among those who joined in this impromptu commemoration was Emily Gyldenholm, a thru-hiker from Denmark. Gyldenholm, who embarked on her PCT adventure from the southern terminus in Campo, California, on March 4, was among the vanguard of northbound hikers this season. She recalled being one of the first four hikers to enter the Sierra Nevada range and noted that only a handful of individuals ahead of her had managed to reach the northern terminus before the wildfire-induced closure.

"We came into Stehekin thinking we only had three days left to the terminus, and then we found out they’d closed the last 50 miles that very day," Gyldenholm recounted. "I think only seven to eight people made it all the way from the southern terminus to the northern one before the closure." This statistic underscores the rarity of completing the entire PCT in a single season, especially with the increasing prevalence of natural disturbances like wildfires.

Both Gyldenholm and Irwin had explored alternative routes to reach the Canadian border before ultimately deciding that Rainy Pass would be their final stop. The wilderness surrounding the PCT is dotted with various border markers, including a notable silver obelisk situated several dozen miles to the east. Some thru-hikers, faced with similar fire closures in the past, have opted to complete their journeys at this alternate monument. However, the current situation presented its own set of challenges.

"Technically the Larch trail is open to the shiny monument, but the fire is closer to that trail than the PCT, is moving that direction, and generally has the smoke from Ptarmigan and Little Giant over it, so we decided it would be unwise and unpleasant to go for," Irwin explained, highlighting the inherent risks associated with the Ptarmigan Fire’s proximity and erratic behavior. The decision to prioritize safety over reaching an alternate border monument was a shared one.

Gyldenholm echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the personal significance of completing the PCT itself. "For us, it was about this trail, so doing something else just wouldn’t have felt the same," she stated. The dedication to the PCT experience, even in its altered form, was paramount for these hikers.

To imbue their shortened finish with a sense of significance, Gyldenholm and several other hikers ventured slightly beyond their designated exit point. They trekked to Cutthroat Pass, reaching mile 2,600—a round number that, coupled with the pass’s breathtaking Washington scenery, provided a memorable and impactful conclusion. The question of what constitutes a "completed" thru-hike when forced to deviate due to closures is a recurring debate among the hiking community. However, with wildfires becoming a more frequent and impactful factor on the PCT, achieving a single-season, uninterrupted end-to-end hike is becoming an increasingly rare and distinguished accomplishment.

The Ptarmigan Fire’s impact extends beyond the PCT, also necessitating a 60-mile closure on the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) from Peeve Pass to the border of North Cascades National Park. This cascading effect of wildfire management underscores the interconnectedness of these vast wilderness areas and the challenges faced by trail organizations in ensuring public safety and preserving natural resources. In 2022, a similar scenario unfolded when the Easy Fire forced many PCT thru-hikers to conclude their journeys at Rainy Pass.

The current closure raises questions about the reopening of the northernmost section of the PCT. While the majority of 2026 northbound PCT hikers are still a considerable distance south of the Ptarmigan Fire, the uncertainty surrounding the trail’s accessibility looms. If the closure remains in effect when the main contingent of hikers, often referred to as the "bubble," reaches this section, they will undoubtedly find solace and a sense of accomplishment at the very monument Irwin and his group created.

Both Irwin and Gyldenholm expressed a willingness to return and complete the final 50 miles if the trail reopens before their respective departures. Irwin’s decision will be contingent on his work schedule, as he is slated to return to his job in September. Gyldenholm, however, is holding onto the hope that the trail might become accessible before her planned return to Denmark in late August.

"Until then I’ll be roadtripping with my boyfriend, and he’ll definitely be doing the roadtrip by himself if the trail opens in time," she quipped, hinting at the dedication she has to finishing her PCT journey as intended.

The current situation on the PCT highlights the growing challenges faced by long-distance hikers in an era of escalating climate change impacts. Wildfires, once a sporadic occurrence, are becoming more frequent, intense, and unpredictable, forcing closures and altering the very nature of iconic trails. The resilience and adaptability demonstrated by hikers like Ian Irwin and Emily Gyldenholm, who find ways to celebrate their achievements in the face of adversity, exemplify the enduring spirit of the thru-hiking community. Their makeshift monument at Rainy Pass stands not only as a symbol of their personal accomplishment but also as a testament to the camaraderie and ingenuity that define the PCT experience, even when the trail itself presents unexpected and formidable obstacles. The hope remains that the Ptarmigan Fire will be contained and the northern terminus will eventually reopen, allowing future hikers to complete their journeys as originally envisioned. Until then, the spirit of the PCT perseveres, marked by creativity and an unyielding passion for the trail.