Spring Storms Affect Plowing Efforts in Glacier

Glacier National Park snow plowing crews continue to clear the Going-to-the-Sun Road after recent spring storms brought a minimum of 16 new inches of snow, lots of rain, wind and fog in the past week. Plowing was slowed, and in some cases stopped last week, due to inclement weather including blowing snow and low visibility. Crews did work Saturday, but encountered rain and fog, limiting their work activities. A strong storm system with excessive rainfall is predicted this week which may create additional hazards and delays.

Several new snow slides, ranging from 8 to 15 feet deep, on the west side of Logan Pass created additional work to replow the areas, and additional safety concerns for the crews. Two avalanches slid across the road at the end of a work day last week, one at Triple Arches and one in the Slopes, creating a challenging situation to clear the area for the crew to return to park headquarters.

The east-side crew is working toward the Big Drift, encountering 25 to 30 feet deep snow. They will continue to plow through the drift this week, eventually meeting the west-side crew as they pioneer the Big Drift from the west. The west-side crew reached the Logan Pass Parking Lot late last week, finding 6-8 foot drifts and building eaves covered in snow.

Crews continue working hard to clear snow and debris along the road. There is additional debris, rocks and trees, with the snow slides and rain. Work to clean snow on the entire width of the road needs to be completed, as well as installation of guard rails once snow is removed and ice is melted. At the Logan Pass Visitor Center snow will be plowed and moved in the parking lot, and then snow from around the building needs to be cleared and moved. Much of the final work will be completed with hand shovels.

The projected date for vehicle access to Logan Pass remains mid-June, but with recent delays prompted by inclement weather, access may be later. Weekend and overtime work is taking place to support the projected date. Currently, 29 miles of the road are open to vehicle travel. Visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche on the west side, and 13.5 miles from the St. Mary Entrance to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side. Hiker/biker access on the Going-to-the-Sun Road may change day to day dependent on snow removal and road rehabilitation work. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website for the latest updates.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

A plow driver's view of the Going-to-the-Sun Road

Plow crews continue to make excellent progress on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. As of yesterday crews had made it up to Big Bend on the west side of the Continental Divide, and were up to Siyeh Bend on the east side. In fact, the park just announced this morning that the road is now open all the way to Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Below is a driver's view of what it's like to operate a snow plow on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This clip, posted by the park, was shot with a GoPro mounted in the cab of the front end loader. I can tell you, I definitely wouldn't want this job:




For the most current list of roads open in the park, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

Many Glacier Road is now open!

Plows continue to make progress on snow removal throughout Glacier National Park. The latest update on the Glacier website reports that the West Lakes Road Crew has reached the Haystack Creek drainage area (4.5 miles below Logan Pass) on the west side of the Divide. The crew has encountered snow depths of 6 to 20 feet deep. The Hudson Bay Road Crew, located on the east side of the park, has cleared snow to Dead Horse Point, 9.5 miles east of Logan Pass, and has encountered snow depths of 10 feet.

On the west side of the Divide the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open from the West Entrance to the Lake McDonald Lodge. On the east side the road to open to Rising Sun.

The update also mentions that Many Glacier Road is now open, the Two Medicine Road is open to Running Eagle Falls, Camas Road is open, and Kintla Road is open to Big Prairie.

For a complete update, please click here.

The photo below was taken near the Haystack Creek area:


To view all of the latest snow clearing photos, visit the Glacier Photo Page on Flickr.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

Glacier National Park snow plowing begins

More signs of spring: Glacier National Park announced yesterday that snow plowing has begun at a couple of locations around the park.

On April 2nd the West Lakes Road Crew removed snow from the Fish Creek Campground and Picnic areas, encountering snow depths of 6 – 24 inches. The Camas and Fish Creek roads are covered with 1 to 4 inches of ice. They also started removing snow from the Going-to-the-Sun Road between Lake McDonald Lodge and Avalanche Creek. Snow depths were 12 – 26 inches. The road surface was covered with 2 to 6 inches of ice.

The Hudson Bay Road Crew started plowing the Many Glacier Road from the dam into the valley. They encountered snow drifts of up to 10 feet. The weather was stormy, windy and cold.

For the most up-to-date information on the progress of the plows, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com