Have fun, but call ahead first

It may be cold and soggy, but it will be a Memorial Day weekend with a variety of public lands and facilities open for a rush of recreationists willing to brave the weather.

Severe weather conditions are expected in Glacier National Park, including 2 to 3 inches of rain at lower elevations and from 2 to 4 feet of snow above 6,000 feet.

According to a press release issued by the park Thursday afternoon, "flooding within the park may occur, potentially prompting evacuations or impacting the operating status of roads and visitor services."

Persistent snow has delayed the opening of some facilities.

Park officials had hoped to open the Many Glacier Campground and the Two Medicine campground, but both areas still have substantial snowcover.

"It's definite. Many Glacier will not open because of snow," said Melissa Wilson, the park's public affairs officer. "You still can't see the tops of picnic tables there."

The Inside North Fork Road temporarily was opened to Kintla Lake, but now it is open for about seven miles from Polebridge to the Big Prairie area.

The Cut Bank Road from the park boundary also will remain closed.

This weekend's foul weather could cause some setbacks for plow crews on Going-to-the-Sun Road. But 16 miles of the road, from West Glacier to Avalanche campground, will remain open to vehicles, with hikers and bikers having access beyond the gate.

On the east side of the park, Sun Road is open to vehicles for about six miles, from St. Mary to Rising Sun.

Lake McDonald Lodge is expected to open Saturday. The Apgar and St. Mary visitor centers are open, along with campgrounds at Apgar, Sprague Creek, St. Mary and Bowman Lake.

The Rising Sun campground will be closed during the weekend because of the potential for flooding.

Park visitors are reminded to use extreme caution near running water, and to be aware that weather conditions may cause hazardous driving conditions or temporary closures of park roads.

Updates on road conditions and weather hazards are available by calling 888-7800, ext. 2.

Most campgrounds and recreation sites on the Flathead National Forest are open. But some at higher elevations may remain inaccessible because of snow, and some in low-lying areas near streams may be flooded.

Many trails at forests, particularly in more remote areas, are still snow-covered and routes may be blocked by downed trees.

Forest users are urged to call the Flathead National Forest at 758-5200 or the Hungry Horse Ranger Station at 387-3800 for timely information on road conditions and camping areas.

The East Side Reservoir Road along Hungry Horse Reservoir is open to Spotted Bear and Meadow Creek, and the West Side Reservoir Road is open as far as Lost Johnny Point Campground.

Major campsites at Big Creek, Swan Lake, Holland Lake and Tally Lake are open. Overnight fees range from $10 to $14 per campsite.

All state parks in Northwest Montana are open for the weekend.

"We are emphasizing lake recreation right now," said Dave Landstrom, regional parks manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "It's safer and fishing has been really good around the region."

Landstrom said recreating on or near rivers is discouraged because of continuing high flows.

"We're advising people to, obviously, stay away from the Flathead River," he said. "All you have to do is take a look at the giant trees tumbling down the river to see why."

The state's major sites include Wayfarers State Park south of Bigfork on Flathead Lake; Logan State Park on Middle Thompson Lake, and West Shore State Park south of Rollins on Flathead Lake. The West Shore Park has new boat-launch facilities and campsites.

Landstrom also said that 83 primitive campsites around the Thompson Chain of Lakes will be open this weekend.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com