Hikers, bikers invited

The Daily Inter Lake

Glacier National Park snow plows have cleared 11 miles of Going-to-the-Sun Road for weekend hiker and biker access.

However, the weather forecast for the west side of the park is calling for light snow and low temperatures this weekend, said Melissa Wilson, the park's public affairs officer.

From Tuesday through Friday, Sun Road is accessible to hikers and bikers from the vehicle gate at Lake McDonald Lodge up to Avalanche Campground. But Saturday through Monday, hikers and bikers can travel from Lake McDonald Lodge beyond Avalanche to the Packer's Roost Area, a distance of about 11 miles.

Plow crews are now pioneering their way toward the Loop in the annual road-clearing effort.

On the east side of the park, Sun Road has been cleared for vehicle travel from St. Mary to Rising Sun, a distance of about two miles.

Park officials had raised the possibility that the road into Many Glacier would be open by this weekend, but that's not the case. Deep snow has slowed plowing progress on that road, Wilson said.

Starting this weekend, the Apgar Visitor Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. On weekdays, visitors can stop at park headquarters for information.

The park has targeted June 13 (weather permitting) as the date for opening Sun Road over Logan Pass.

Wintry conditions are expected to return to Northwest Montana this weekend, courtesy of a storm system from the Gulf of Alaska.

The National Weather Service predicts a high temperature of 34 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday in Glacier Park, plus snow accompanied by 15 to 20 mph winds.