Plow crews making headway on Going-to-the-Sun Road
The Daily Inter Lake
After receiving two feet of new snow in the mountains last Thursday and Friday, Glacier National Park's plowing crews have made considerable advances on Going-to-the-Sun Road from both sides of the Continental Divide.
The east-side plowing crew reached Siyeh Bend, about two miles east of Logan Pass, on Wednesday.
The west-side plowing crew is currently working near the area known as Big Bend, three miles west of Logan Pass, where it is encountering snow depths of at least four feet.
There is avalanche debris up to 35 feet deep in some drainages. A large avalanche has reportedly slid across Sun Road at Big Bend and it may require several days to clear the deep debris.
The primary plowing crews are now working 10-hour days, Tuesdays through Friday. Another park crew works weekends to remove debris and rock fall, clear culverts and make other necessary preparations along Sun Road before the entire road is open for vehicle use.
An unusual lack of snow at Haystack Creek west of Logan Pass played a part in canceling a west-side "Show Me Day" plowing exhibition this year.
There is enough snow at Siyeh Bend to hold an east-side exhibition, but the east-side plowing crew arrived at Siyeh Bend much earlier than most years. Park officials have decided an east side "Show Me Day" will not be held this spring because it would delay plowing progress.
Elsewhere in the park, officials plan to open the road into Many Glacier Valley for vehicle use this weekend. Potholes and slumps are being repaired this week, but weather permitting, the road is expected to be open to vehicles on today or Saturday.
The road into Two Medicine Valley is currently open for vehicle use to Running Eagle Falls and the east side of Sun Road is open for vehicles as far as Jackson Glacier Overlook, a distance of nearly 14 miles.
West of the divide, Sun Road is currently open for vehicle use from West Glacier to Avalanche Creek, a distance of 16 miles. Beyond Avalanche Creek, visitors may walk or bicycle Sun Road above the Loop to where the road is closed and signed for potential avalanche danger.
Visitors are urged to keep alert for heavy equipment and machinery working on Sun Road near the west-side tunnel, as well as other park vehicles along the roadway.
In the park's remote North Fork area, the Inside North Fork Road is open for vehicle use seven miles south of Polebridge Ranger Station to Logging Creek and seven miles north of Polebridge Ranger Station to Big Prairie. The road into Bowman Lake remains closed to vehicles but will open as soon as conditions permit.
The Inside Road between Logging Creek and Fish Creek remains closed to vehicle use. However, mountain bikes can maneuver the remaining snow and debris on the roadway. Some snow also remains on the higher-elevation portions of Camas Road, but it also is in suitable condition for mountain bikes.
For additional road and weather information, visit the park's Web site, www.nps.gov/glac or call the park at 406-888-7800.