[pct-l] Getting into Canada

[Austin Williams]

There is no permit or any other form of permission that will give you the
legal right to enter the United States from Canada along the Pacific Crest
Trail (this I learned from extensive phone conversations with U.S. border
authorities).  They say it's because doing so is entering the united states
without being inspected.  Period.  However, for anyone who's ever been to
the border crossing at the northern terminus, you know that such a law is
highly impractical to enforce. ;)

Going into Canada from the U.S. along the PCT is legal, if you have the
permit.  Has anyone ever been denied the permit?  Ever?  If you have or know
of anyone who has, please let me know.  I suspect the criteria for getting
that permit are much more lax than normally entering Canada for vacation.

Also, I suspect that the permit will only ever come into play if you happen
run into Canadian authorities while in Canada (for example, while
hitch-hiking).  They'd ask for your I.D., then find out you were a U.S.
citizen.  At that point they usually have dispatch check with the Canadian
border authorities to make sure you entered the country legally.  Since you
won't have been documented at a normal entry point (because you came in on
the PCT), they won't have a record for you.  That's where you're permit
would come in.  :)

Has anyone ever had to show their permit to a Canadian official after
entering Canada on the PCT?  I'd like to hear about it if so.

Also, when coming back to the U.S. along "normal" routes (i.e. in a car or
bus), you won't ever have to deal with Canadian border authorities... only
U.S. border authorities (correct me if I'm wrong, but that has always been
my experience).  All you have to do is convince the U.S. border authorities
that you are a U.S. citizen - and let them search all your stuff - and
you're good to go.

It's never illegal to leave a country... it's only illegal to enter one
without permission.  As a citizen of the U.S., you are always welcome back
(passport or not) so long as you re-enter at a "valid" entry point (ie:NOT
the PCT).  Canadians consider the PCT to be a "valid" entry point into their
country.