Park starts plowing operations

Glacier National Park road crews are starting spring snow plowing, and Going-to-the-Sun Road will not open over Logan Pass any earlier than June 18 because of construction that requires two-lane closures.

Mountain snowpack in Glacier is below average this year, but park officials stress that is not a good indicator of conditions that plow crews may encounter over the next few months in the push toward Logan Pass.

Regardless of relatively dry conditions at lower elevations, crews still need to cut through deep snow, ice and drifts at Sun Road’s higher elevations.

Spring snowstorms and avalanches often complicate the effort to reach Logan Pass.

Plowing on Sun Road’s west side beyond Lake McDonald Lodge is scheduled to start April 1. The plowing will provide access for the park’s construction contractor to continue drainage and sub-base road rehabilitation along Upper McDonald Creek.

Like last year, a vehicle gate is expected to remain in place at Avalanche Creek until the road is ready to open across Logan Pass. A similar gate will be in place at Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side of Glacier.

The park allows hikers and bicyclists to travel beyond Avalanche Creek when crews are not working.

In the weeks before June 18, as weather conditions and plowing progress allow, HK Contractors Inc. will be able to do comprehensive reconstruction work between Big Bend and Logan Pass and between Siyeh Bend and Logan Pass.

Crews started plowing in Apgar Village and on the Chief Mountain Road last week. Plowing on other east-side routes, such as the Two Medicine Road and the Many Glacier, will get under way next.

Because of the lack of snow this spring, Camas Road will be plowed beginning April 1. Snow on this road normally is allowed to melt out.

Information on current park road conditions is available on the park’s road status Web site, http://www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm. This page is updated as conditions change.

Travelers also may call park headquarters at 406-888-7800 for current road and weather conditions.