New storm disrupts park plowing

Another winter storm descended Friday on Glacier National Park, disrupting park plowing crews that already have encountered unusually deep snow in some areas.

With continued cold weather and an above-average snowpack, many avalanche paths above Going-to-the-Sun Road have yet to slide. That could cause hazards and problems in the future as the plow crews move into higher-elevation sections of Sun Road.

The park’s avalanche specialists are monitoring snow conditions daily now, with expectations that conditions could change at any time, said Ellen Blickhan, the park’s public affairs officer.

“The bottom line is it’s a day-to-day process,” she said.

“Right now we are getting a pretty potent storm here,” with a foot of new snow expected at higher elevations by this morning, Blickhan said Friday. “That’s a really big factor for avalanche conditions. That’s probably going to raise our avalanche danger.”

When avalanche activity has been delayed in past years, it has caused problems.

“There were times when they would have to plow through slide paths three times,” Blickhan said. “It wasn’t uncommon to have to plow through an area just to get to their equipment.”

Due to avalanche risks from Friday’s storm, plow crews were diverted to work at lower elevations. They had advanced as far as Crystal Point just beyond the Loop.

The east side crew in particular has been encountering deep snow.

The crew had worked its way through eight-foot drifts to get to Rising Sun from St. Mary, usually a pretty quick stretch to clear. But because of the most recent snowfall, the road has been closed at the foot of St. Mary Lake once again.

The Two Medicine Road was temporarily opened to Running Eagle Falls, but it has been closed again because of new snow.

Crews continue working there and on the Many Glacier Road.

“They have gotten to the [Many Glacier] hotel and beyond, but there is so much snow and so much areas that need to melt out before we can open that road,” Blickhan said.

On Friday, there was low visibility and strong winds, with snow accumulating on east-side roads.

On the west side of the park, however, the Camas Road has been open to vehicles since April 25.

On Sun Road, hikers and bikers have been able to travel beyond the gate at Lake McDonald Lodge to Logan Creek, but travel conditions may be impacted by the most recent snow.

Blickhan said hikers and bikers are urged to be mindful of changing weather and avalanche conditions.