Tree removal clears way for Sun Road opening
Shaun Bessinger, the work leader for the west side road crew at Glacier National Park, drags a branch off the Going to the Sun Road on Tuesday. The road has been closed on the west side since Saturday afternoon because of snow and trees on the road. Crews have been working for the past two days to get the road to Logan Pass open. Park officials hope to have the west side of the road open by noon today. Craig Moore/Daily Inter Lake
The Daily Inter Lake
With chain saws, chippers and heavy equipment, Glacier National Park road crews worked their way through dozens of trees Tuesday that blocked an eight-mile stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The heavy, wet snow that brought the trees down during the weekend had mostly melted, but Tuesday's work was carried out in a steady drizzle of rain.
Park officials estimate that at least 100 trees were blocking the road when work started, and even more weakened but still standing trees had to be removed because of the potential for them to eventually fall.
Sun Road was closed between Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook at about 4 p.m. Saturday, with snow at Logan Pass measuring 10-12 inches.
With a rapid melt, the road was reopened on the east side between Jackson Glacier Overlook and Logan Pass at noon Tuesday.
After the downed trees have been cleared, park officials expect the closed section west of the pass to be reopened sometime today.