Glacier National Park Road Status Update

This week, plowing crews on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park cleared new snow and debris from 19 avalanches that were triggered during last week's winter storm. In addition, road crews plowed snow from the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking lot for the second time in three weeks.

Before the road can be opened to motorists, crews will need to clear the forty-foot deep "Big Drift" down to pavement and install hundreds of guard rails along the steepest parts of the road.

Going-to-the-Sun Road Hiker/Biker Access

Currently, the hiker/biker closure on the west side of the park is located at Bird Woman Falls Overlook, approximately thirteen miles past the vehicle closure, while the road crew is working during the week. On the east side, the hiker/biker closure is located at Siyeh Bend, approximately two miles past the vehicle closure. On Saturdays and Sundays bicyclists and hikers may travel as far as conditions allow.

Hikers and bicyclists on the west side are encouraged to use the free shuttle that can be accessed at the Lake McDonald Lodge shuttle stop across from the Camp Store. The shuttle runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Lake McDonald Lodge to Avalanche.

Hikers and bicyclists should always be alert for snowplows and other heavy equipment on park roads as well as areas of ice, slush, avalanche zones and fallen rock. Visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling as patches of ice and the danger of avalanches remain. Please be aware of wildlife on park roads and report any bear or mountain lion activity or sighting, regardless of the location, to a park ranger.

Other Roads

On the west side of the Park, the Camas Road is open. The Inside North Fork Road is currently closed to vehicles between Logging Creek Ranger Station and Fish Creek, due to past flooding events that damaged the road. The southern end of the Inside North Fork Road is open to Camas Creek, approximately 6.5 miles north of the Fish Creek junction.

On the east side of the Park, Cut Bank Road is currently closed at the park boundary. Some snow remains but the road is passable to the park boundary. Hiker/Biker access is allowed beyond the closed gate. The Chief Mountain Road and border crossing are open. Many Glacier and Two Medicine Roads are both open. For current road conditions, check the park's website.

Campgrounds

On the west side of the park, Sprague Creek, Apgar, Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake and Fish Creek Campgrounds are now open. On the east side of the park Two Medicine, Many Glacier, and St. Mary Campgrounds are open. Most campgrounds in Glacier are first-come first-served with the exception of Fish Creek, St. Mary, some of Many Glacier and half of the group sites in Apgar. Campground sites can be reserved online at www.recreation.gov

Warm Weather Expected

Warmer temperatures are expected this weekend with highs in the mid-eighties for the west side of the park and the upper seventies on the east side of the park. These warm temperatures will cause increased snow melt and higher water conditions in streams and rivers. Visitors are reminded to use extreme caution near waterfalls, streams, and rivers throughout the park.



Jeff
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