Plows get to Logan Pass area

 Glacier National Park plows have reached the Logan Pass parking lot from the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, while east-side plows are at the base of the Big Drift, the perennial drift a quarter-mile east of the pass.

Road crews are also busy cleaning plowed areas of the Sun Road and installing guard rails, according to Glacier’s weekly road and recreation report.

Vehicles can travel as far as Avalanche Campground area on the west side of Sun Road and to Jackson Glacier overlook on the east. Nearly 30 miles of the Sun Road are open for vehicle travel.

Construction crews plan to work this weekend on the west side of Logan Pass. There will be restrictions for hiking and bicycling access just before the work area.

To allow for road rehabilitation work, the earliest possible date that the entire Sun Road can open across Logan Pass is Friday, June 18 (weather permitting).

All other park roads now are open to motorized traffic.

Boaters are reminded that a permit now is required for all motorized boats before launching in Glacier National Park waters. Park managers request that all boats and trailers be clean and dry before launching in park waters.

The new permits are part of a statewide effort to prevent the unintentional spread of aquatic invasive species.

Park trail crews are busy installing bridges and a number of trails are now cleared and accessible. For the latest information on trails, go to www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.  

Most park concessions are open for business.

Lake McDonald Lodge and Camp Store, Many Glacier Hotel, Prince of Whales Hotel, Swiftcurrent Camp Store, Two Medicine Camp Store and the Village Inn are open.

The Swiftcurrent Motor Inn opens June 15 and the Rising Sun Motor Inn and Camp Store open June 18. Sun Tours and Red Bus Tours are available by reservation and the East Side Hiker Shuttle is operating for a fee.

All Swan Mountain Outfitters corrals providing horseback rides are open. Glacier Guides Inc. is leading guided hikes and backpacking trips. Waterton Inter-Nation Shoreline Cruises landing at Goat Haunt are running. Glacier Park Boat Co. tours and rentals at Lake McDonald, Many Glacier and Two Medicine are available.

Boat rentals at Apgar start Saturday, June 12.  

Campgrounds at Apgar, Bowman Lake, Cut Bank, Fish Creek, Kintla Lake, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, Sprague Creek, St. Mary and Two Medicine Campgrounds are all open.

The Avalanche Campground opens today. The St. Mary Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Apgar Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.