Sun Road opening on Friday

The Daily Inter Lake

Barring any severe weather events, motorists Friday should be able to cruise the full length of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Glacier National Park officials have announced a projected opening at 4 p.m. Friday for the final stretch from Avalanche Creek to Logan Pass.

Visitors will be able to travel the full 50-mile length of Sun Road between West Glacier and St. Mary. Park officials caution that additional rain between now and Friday could affect the opening.

Crews are completing final debris removal from the road before Friday's opening.

Last week, park officials were preparing to open the west-side section of the park highway when heavy rains descended on Glacier.

The rainfall brought down landslides at 10 locations on Glacier's alpine highway - plus created flooding problems at lower elevations in the park.

The east side of Sun Road has been open since June 10, with visitors able to reach Logan Pass via St. Mary.

Visitors to Logan Pass will find the visitor center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day. Parking, restroom facilities and The Glacier Natural History Association's bookstore are available at Logan Pass, the high point of the scenic highway that bisects the park.

In a press release, Superintendent Mick Holm praised the road crew:

"The task that our road crew undertakes each year to prepare the Sun Road is remarkable. This year's opening combined challenges beyond the traditional snow, which, coincidentally, was significantly deeper than in recent years. Last week's rain brought down significant debris and caused flooding in various parts of the park. The fact that that we are able to project an opening for this final section of the Sun Road, just one week later, is a testament to the dedication and talent of our crew."

The full opening of Sun Road traditionally heralds the start of the summer season in Glacier. This year, though a portion of Sun Road has been closed, Glacier has started its program of ranger-led programs.

Beginning on Sunday, an even wider array of programs will be offered in all areas of the park. These programs range from easy walks and evening talks to all-day hikes and boat tours. The complete list of programs is found in The Glacier Explorer, available in park visitor centers or online at www.nps.gov/glac/pdf/2006explorer1.pdf.

Travelers this summer will find construction under way on the 74-year-old Sun Road. Motorists should expect minor delays: On a one-way trip across the road between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the cumulative delay should not exceed 30 minutes.

This week's full opening of Sun Road is one of the latest on record for Glacier Park.

In recent years, the latest opening was June 28, 2002 - a delayed opening caused by 8 feet of snow that fell between May 22 and June 10 that year.

The latest opening of Sun Road over Logan Pass was July 10, 1943, because of reduced staffing during World War II.

The earliest opening for the park highway was May 16, 1987.

For more information about Sun Road and Glacier Park, visit the park's Web site at www.nps.gov/glac or call 406-888-7800.