Park plows reach Big Drift

The Daily Inter Lake

As Glacier National Park plow crews close in on Logan Pass, additional facilities and services continue to open throughout the park.

After encountering 25- to 30-foot-deep snow on Going-to-the-Sun Road last week, the west-side plow crew was able to advance quickly, nearly reaching the Oberlin Bend area by the end of this week.

The east-side crew has reached the Big Drift, a perennial road obstacle just east of the pass that often gets 50-60 feet deep.

It is the last plowing obstacle for opening the road over Logan Pass.

However, this year the pass cannot open until at least June 19 because the park's road reconstruction project will keep both lanes of the alpine highway closed for work until that date.

A total of 30 miles of Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to motorists. They can drive as far as Avalanche Campground on the west and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side.

Hikers and bikers are allowed to travel beyond the gates at Avalanche Campground on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side. On Sunday, there are no restrictions on how far hikers and bikers can go up the west-side road.

On the east side, hikers and bikers can go two miles beyond the gate at Jackson Glacier Overlook.

All other park roads are now open, with the exception of the Inside North Fork Road south of Logging Creek.

This weekend, more park concession services are opening.

The Many Glacier Hotel opened Friday; the Village Inn and Swiftcurrent Camp Store both open today.

Also available are the Lake McDonald Lodge and Camp Store, Two Medicine Camp Store and historic red buses tours.

The Glacier Park Boat Co. starts offering boat rentals at Apgar and Many Glacier today, in addition to their boat services at Lake McDonald. Swan Mountain Outfitters is offering horseback rides from the Many Glacier Corral starting today; horse rides are also available at Apgar and Lake McDonald.

Frontcountry campgrounds that are open in Glacier include: Apgar Campground, full-service, $20 per night; Bowman Lake Campground, full service, $15; Cut Bank Campground, primitive camping, $10; Fish Creek Campground, full service, $23; Kintla Lake Campground, primitive camping, $15; Rising Sun Campground, full service, $20; Sprague Creek Campground, full service, $2; St. Mary Campground, full service, $23; Two Medicine Campground, full service, $20.

Current road status is available online at: www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm. Information is updated as conditions change. Snow is expected above 5,500 feet in Glacier Park this weekend and a winter weather advisory is in effect for the east side of the park today.

Visitors also can phone 406-888-7800 for park information.