Logan Pass opening today
The entire length of Going-to-the-Sun Road is expected to open this morning, Glacier National Park officials announced Tuesday night.
Once the alpine section of Sun Road opens at Logan Pass, visitors will be able to travel 52 miles between West Glacier and St. Mary. The park did not specify an opening time for this morning.
It will be the latest opening of Sun Road over Logan Pass since 1943, when the pass was opened July 10 because of reduced staffing during World War II.
This spring's road work was hampered by protracted winter conditions, including mid-June snow storms that forced crews to re-plow some sections of road several times. The late snow also prolonged avalanche hazards.
"Our road crews have been working extremely hard to open the Sun Road this spring," said Chas Cartwright, Glacier's new superintendent. "Plowing in avalanche terrain is no easy task. During the snow storm that hit the second week of June, 25 avalanche paths slid. Twenty of those paths hit the cleared road and completely filled the corridor between Triple Arches and Logan Pass."
A comprehensive reconstruction project will continue after the road opens. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors may encounter construction delays as long as 30 minutes. When night work gets under way, delays can last as long as four hours.
Starting Thursday and continuing through Labor Day, the park's shuttle system will provide free transportation to locations along Sun Road between Apgar and St. Mary.
"Last year was a huge success" for the shuttle system, Cartwright said. "In its first year, 133,000 visitors rode the free shuttles. We anticipate 2008 will be another successful season."
Shuttles will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with stops at regular locations every 15 to 30 minutes. The last daily buses from Logan Pass will depart at 7 p.m., traveling to the St. Mary Visitor Center and the Apgar Transit Center.
Restroom facilities and the Logan Pass visitor center will also open today.
Visitors are advised that trails in the Logan Pass are still covered by several feet of snow - double what is typical for early July.
Last week marked the 75th anniversary of the road's initial, official opening in 1933, with a celebration held at Lake McDonald Lodge. The event was attended by Montana political, tribal and government leaders and an audience of at least 500 people.
Last year, Sun Road was opened in tandem with the park's new transit system on July 1. That opening was delayed by repair work that was necessary on a series of washouts from a heavy rainstorm in the fall of 2006.
Visitors are urged to call the park at 888-7800 to check the latest status of Sun Road. Vehicle access can quickly change due to weather. Information also is available on the park's Web site at: http://www.nps.gov/glac/