Snow-clearing season begins in Glacier Park

Glacier National Park road crews are beginning spring snow-plowing efforts.

Plowing of Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond Lake McDonald Lodge is scheduled to begin April 1 and proceed to Avalanche Creek to accommodate access by contractors to rehabilitate and pave the picnic area and campground entrance.

Camas Road will be plowed in April for spring bicycle and hiker use because of paving on Sun Road at Avalanche Creek. Camas Road normally is not plowed.

Park crews currently are plowing the Chief Mountain Road near the park's northeast corner, according to a news release from Glacier Park.

Plowing of other east-side park roads, such as Many Glacier, Two Medicine and the east side of Sun Road, will begin once Chief Mountain Road is plowed.

On the east side, there likely will be two separate segment openings. First, the segment from St. Mary Campground to Rising Sun Campground will open for vehicles; subsequently, the road will open from Rising Sun to Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Weather and snow conditions permitting, the east-side crew will provide initial access above Siyeh Bend for HK Contractors Inc. to prepare for final paving of 2006 storm damage repairs near the east-side tunnel. This paving is scheduled to begin in mid-May and be completed by mid-June.

On Sun Road's west side, the segment from Lake McDonald Lodge to Avalanche is traditionally free of ice and open to vehicles by late April. Vehicle travel will be gated at Avalanche until the entire Sun Road opens over Logan Pass to allow for spring road rehabilitation above the Loop.

Other park roads, or segments of respective roads, including the Chief Mountain Road, will open to vehicle traffic when conditions allow for safe travel.

However, since the Many Glacier Valley provides critical winter range for wildlife, the Many Glacier Road typically does not open to vehicles until the third weekend of April to reduce stress on wildlife.

Portions of the Inside North Fork Road also will be undergoing repairs this spring.

Road work will occur this spring on a landslide above Fish Creek and other spring runoff-damaged sections such as the Anaconda Creek area. The Inside North Fork Road will open for vehicle traffic when repairs are completed.

"With plowing under way and summer approaching, this is a good time to remind the public that the Sun Road is still under rehabilitation," Glacier Superintendent Chas Cartwright said in the news release. "Park visitors should only expect to drive as far as Avalanche and Jackson Glacier Overlook this spring. Despite the Sun Road rehabilitation, our road crews still must work in the same challenging conditions as in years past. Safety remains our top priority and we will again use avalanche forecasting technicians to help monitor conditions through avalanche zones throughout the spring opening process."

Because of the road work, this year there will be no Show Me Day (a day when visitors could observe Sun Road clearing work).

Cartwright continued: "There will still be great recreational opportunities in Glacier this spring. Visitors can hike or bicycle beyond vehicle closures when crews are not working; exact distances will depend on plowing crew locations and construction activity."

Current road conditions are available by calling 511, the Montana Department of Transportation Traveler Information System, or 1-800-226-7623. Select "Glacier Park Tourist Information" from the main menu to hear Glacier's road report.

Information on current park road conditions also is available on the Web at www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm. This page is updated as conditions change. Travelers may also call park headquarters at 406-888-7800.

Signs will indicate when closures for hikers/bikers are in effect and caution should be exercised. Visitors are also reminded that when park roads are closed to vehicle use, all pets are prohibited on them.

Visitors should be alert for snowplows and other heavy equipment on park roads as well as areas of ice, slush, avalanche zones or fallen rock. Additionally, spring snowstorms can cause hazardous driving conditions and temporary road closures. Visitors also should be aware of wildlife on park roads.