[pct-l] Manning Evacuation Alert Lifted; Access to Border from Canada Possible

[Tom Griffin]

For those Class of 2006 thru hikers monitoring this list, I have read 
about your disappointment about not reaching the PCT terminus and 
Monument 78 on the border. The good news is that after you finish your 
hike on the detour along the East Bank Trail on Ross Lake, you can still 
visit the PCT terminus. The trail southbound from Manning Park to the 
border reopened as of yesterday. So you could rent a car in Hope, B.C. 
and drive to the PCT trailhead parking lot and take the 8-mile walk to 
the border. Warning--the trail will probably be smoky.

Here is the announcement from Manning Park on trail closures. Please 
note that the Monument 78 Trail is NOT the Pacific Crest Trail.
----
E.C. Manning Park
Attention Visitors - Important Notice!
• As of September 13, 2006: FIRE ADVISORY
The Castle Creek/Monument 78 trail and Monument 83 trail remain closed 
due to the location of the Tatoosh fire. All other trails and 
campgrounds are open.

see <http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/manning.html>
and
<http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/ecmaning/pctrail.html>
-------

Also, pasted below is a news brief from a Vancouver radio news station 
announcing the lifting of the Manning Park evacuation alert. Seems to me 
the folks at Manning Park Lodge would be glad to have your business!

------------
Tatoosh fire evacuation alert lifted
Sep, 13 2006 - 2:50 PM

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - Evacuation alerts for those living near the 
Tatoosh and Border Lake wildfires has been lifted.
Those include the Okanagan-Similkameen communities of Bonnevier, 
Eastgate, Manning Park Lodge, and Cathedral Lakes Lodge.
The regional district says residents will still experience smoky 
conditions with fire crews and equipment continuing to work on the fire 
areas.
---------------

Finally, it is rainy today in Seattle and there is rain and snow in the 
Cascades. Cross your fingers and perhaps the forest fires threat will 
diminish.

-- 
Tom Griffin
Seattle
PCT Pages: http://griffinte.home.comcast.net/pct.html