Glacier Park visitors surprised, but delighted by Going-to-the-Sun Road’s early opening

Glacier National Park opened its gates to eager crowds of visitors Tuesday, many surprised they could drive the length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road by mid-June.

At Logan Pass, one of Glacier’s most popular spots, cars looped around the bustling parking lot multiple times before finally finding a place to park. Despite the crowds, not much dampened the spirits of those who were surprised by the Sun Road’s early opening.

The road typically opens fully between late June and mid-July. According to Glacier National Park’s records, Logan Pass has opened as early as May 16 — which occurred during the summer of 1987, the same year it closed on Nov. 16.

After a speedy spring snowmelt, this season’s opening is the earliest since 2005.

Kona and Ciera Franks-Ongoy said they were returning to Helena on Wednesday after celebrating their “babymoon” in the park. Expecting their first child in the fall, they planned a trip that mainly involved paddling around Lake McDonald, but were excited to have a chance to drive the Sun Road.

It’s not their first trip to Glacier, but it’s been years since they last visited.

“It’s been great — for all the reasons we like it, it’s wonderful. And there’s reasons it’s been a while since I’ve been up here, like traffic and things, but it’s certainly beautiful,” Kona said.

Erin and Sophan Pheng brought their two young children from Minnesota to visit Glacier for the first time. They were able to drive the road a day before their trip ended.

“He got a pass right away in the morning and we drove up here and we’re so thankful,” Erin said. “Once we got past Avalanche and saw all of the views, it’s just incredible.”

Sophan said the park was a top 10 for the family. Though he thought the reservation system was confusing, he said he felt lucky to grab a pass.

Wayne and Deloris Nichols came all the way from South Carolina with their daughter Kristy and their son-in-law Stacy.

“It’s amazing,” Wayne said. “It’s a whole lot different from the Smoky Mountains, where we’re from.”

They didn’t expect to get to drive the full road. Earlier in their trip, they drove from the St. Mary entrance up the road, but on Tuesday, they were able to start their journey from West Glacier.

Wayne said they’ve been adjusting to how far apart destinations are in Montana, but are happy exploring the area.

“It’s been great, people here are real nice,” Kristy said.

Their next stop was down the road to see Jackson Glacier Overlook, the only place in the park where visitors can see a glacier from the road.

Though the area has less snow compared to previous openings, there was still enough to cover the majority of the Hidden Lake Overlook trail. This is typical, and visitors came prepared with sleds to meet the occasion.

Like the many ground squirrels at Logan Pass who begin emerging from their dens like clockwork, the arrival of human crowds is another sign that the summer season is in full swing at Glacier National Park.

The Hidden Lake trail will be closed from the overlook to Hidden Lake until June 15, due to bear activity near the lake. The Highline Trail remains closed due to snow hazards, according to park officials.

The Sun Road reservations are required for vehicles through Sept. 10 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors should be aware of ongoing construction along the road and in other areas of the park, as well as hazards along the Going-to-the-Sun road, such as falling rocks. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/glac.