East-side road work ramping up
<p>A hiker makes his way off the Highline Trail on Wednesday morning at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.</p>
The last day to drive to Logan Pass from the east side of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, after which accelerated shoulder-season construction will begin on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Vehicles will not be able to travel beyond the foot of St. Mary Lake on Glacier’s east side.
Visitors still will be able to reach Logan Pass from the West Glacier entrance through Oct. 19, weather permitting. The Logan Pass Visitor Center will be open through Sunday until 4 p.m.
Starting Monday, hiking and bicycling east of Logan Pass will be allowed for 2 1/2 miles to Siyeh Bend. Between Siyeh Bend and Rising Sun, travel of any sort is restricted during active construction Monday through Friday.
A 5-mile-long sewer project will be underway between Rising Sun and St. Mary Campground, expanding the active east-side construction zone to 14 miles.
Fall access to east-side hiking trails and backcountry campsites off Sun Road will be limited starting Monday, Sept. 22. Trails affected include Siyeh Pass, Baring Basin, Piegan Pass, Otokomi, St. Mary Falls, Baring Falls, Virginia Falls and Gunsight and Sperry trails.
Backcountry campers are reminded they need a permit from the Apgar Permit Center at this time of year.
Hikers seeking up-to-date information on trail access are urged to visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/glac.
Visitors to the Many Glacier area should be aware that replacement of the Swiftcurrent Bridge will begin shortly after the Many Glacier Hotel closes for the season on Sunday.
There will be short traffic delays at the bridge starting Sept. 26 and there will be no vehicle or pedestrian access to the Many Glacier Hotel complex after Sept. 29. The bridge is located at the foot of Swiftcurrent Lake and provides the only access to the complex.
It’s anticipated that work to replace the bridge will continue through mid-November. Access to the Cracker Lake and the Piegan trails be available to through the trailhead at the Grinnell Picnic Area.
The Apgar Visitor Center and the St. Mary Visitor Center are open through Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
For additional park information, visit the park’s website, www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm, or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800. More information and images of the park can be also be located by visiting Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNPS.