The historic Chilkoot Trail, spanning the U.S.-Canada border, has reopened, yet ongoing border restrictions necessitate an extensive reroute to fully traverse it.
Title: Crossing Borders on the Chilkoot Trail: A Major Hurdle for Adventurers
Get ready for a wild ride, trekkers! The iconic Chilkoot Trail, spanning across the two beautiful nations of the US and Canada, has reopened its historic paths after five long years. However, there's a twist that'll leave you scratching your head.
Due to pandemic-era border procedures, hikers can't simply traverse this 33-mile (53.1km) trail uninterrupted. The trail, which slices through pristine wilderness in Alaska (USA) and British Columbia (Canada), has finally healed from COVID-19 restrictions and flood damage, but it seems even Mother Nature can't prevent bureaucratic snags.
These restrictive policies dictate that ambitious adventurers wishing to conquer the entire trail must do so via a designated port of entry. The catch? There are no ports along the trail itself, and the closest one lies in the town of Skagway—a 11-mile (17.7km) rollercoaster ride from the American trailhead.
If that isn't enough to make your heart sink, here's the kicker: anyone aspiring to complete the journey across both countries must instead travel to Skagway or simply..."turn around at the border." Yes, you heard that right!
In a statement to CBS News, Canada's Parks Agency confessed it continues to prohibit entry along the Chilkoot Trail because of the absence of an effective way to monitor individuals crossing the border and ensure the proper documentation.
Across the pond, America's National Park Service concurs with the policy, ensuring hikers can only conquer the 16.5-mile (26.5km) American section.
Before 2020, gallant participants from both nations registered prior and crossed the border with the required paperwork. Fast forward to now, and the Chilkoot Trail has become a symbol of sour relations between the US and Canada—a relationship that soured when President Trump suggested the addition of Canada as the 51st state and slapped eye-watering tariffs on Canadian goods entering the US.
Sadly, the Chilkoot Trail isn't the only one affected by these border restrictions. Thru-hikers on the legendary Pacific Crest Trail have no choice but to make a 30-mile (48.2km) detour to cross the border and complete their 2,650-mile (4,264.7km) epic journey.
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Embarking on this adventuresome journey requires careful planning now, as travelers must abide by border regulations when crossing the Chilkoot Trail. Despite the trail's reopening in Alaska and British Columbia, trekkers are compelled to start their journey at Skagway, a designated port of entry, due to limitations on border crossings along the trail.
