Plows closing in on summit
The Daily Inter Lake
Glacier National Park plow crews have closed within a few miles on either side of Going-to-the-Sun Road's Logan Pass.
So far, plowing is far ahead of the usual pace, largely because of this year's unusually light snowpack.
West of Logan Pass, a plow crew is clearing snow above the Triple Arches. On the other side of the pass, a crew is working below the East Side Tunnel just below Logan Pass.
On the west side of Sun Road, vehicles can travel as far as the Avalanche campground and picnic area.
Hikers and bikers may proceed beyond the gate as far as Big Bend, a distance of 12.5 miles, but are urged to watch for falling rocks and debris on the roadway.
Hiker and bikers should also be alert for equipment and vehicles on the road that are involved in spring roadside and culvert clean-up operations.
The park's west-side Camas Road opened for vehicles earlier this week and the narrow Inside North Fork Road is expected to open to vehicles by the weekend between Logging Creek and Fish Creek. Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake campgrounds are now open for primitive camping.
The west-side Quarter Circle Bridge Road also is open.
On the east side of the park, the roads into Many Glacier and Two Medicine valleys are open to vehicles; however, the road into Cut Bank Valley remains closed at the park boundary.
Weather permitting, the eastern 14-mile section of Sun Road - between St. Mary and Jackson Glacier Overlook - is open to vehicles. Starting at Jackson Glacier Overlook, hikers and bikers can venture several miles, as far as Siyeh Bend.
Spring snow removal on Sun Road started at Lake McDonald Lodge on April 4. Although snow has melted and is nearly gone at lower elevations, as plow operators push into higher elevations (4,500 feet and above) and make their way toward Logan Pass (elevation 6,646 feet) they encounter deeper snow, rock fall and avalanche debris.
Current park road information, plowing progress and pictures are provided throughout the spring. Calling park headquarters at 888-7800 or visit the park's Web site at: http://www.nps.gov/glac