2013 Construction on the Going-to-the-Sun Road

As many of you are already aware, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is undergoing a multi-year project to rehabilitate the 50-mile engineering marvel that spans the interior of Glacier National Park.

Included in the recently published 2013 Summer Guide to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the official park newspaper, are details on the rehabilitation project for 2013, and what visitors can expect in terms of delays.

This year work will continue between Avalanche Creek and Logan Creek on the west side of the Divide, as well as the section of road between Siyeh Bend and Rising Sun on the east side:

As of today the park expects the full opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road to occur on Friday, June 21st (7:00am). However, that date is dependent on weather and plowing progress, and could be later than expected.

For the majority of the 2013 season, between Friday, June 21 and Monday, September 23, travelers should expect no more than two construction segments, with short daytime delays of less than 20 minutes each.

Once the 3.5 mile segment between Avalanche Creek and Logan Creek is completed, all construction activities will switch to the east side, between Siyeh Bend and Rising Sun (9 miles). Visitors should expect daytime delays during this one project of 30 minutes or less.

Nighttime closures between Siyeh Bend and Rising Sun are anticipated from Monday night (9:00pm) through Friday morning (7:00am).

Beginning at 7:00am on Monday, September 23rd, the road will be closed to vehicular traffic between Siyeh Bend, and a point near the St. Mary Campground, in order to facilitate accelerated construction on the east side of the Sun Road.

Prior to the road fully opening for vehicle traffic, hiker and bicycle travel may be restricted in construction areas along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Signs will be posted to advise visitors of access and restrictions.

Glacier officials are encouraging drivers to turn off their engines and set their emergency brakes during these short delays. They also ask that you remain in your vehicle so that the flow of traffic can resume promptly.

For more information on driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, as well as a quick reference guide, please click here.

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Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

Glacier’s Grand Loop Hike

Thanks to its topography, excellent trail system, and a favorable location of accommodations, hikers have the opportunity to experience an epic three-day loop in Glacier National Park that includes the absolute best scenery the park has to offer. And as a bonus, it doesn’t require lugging any backpacking equipment around, or camping under the stars. This “grand loop” starts from Logan Pass, visits Granite Park Chalet, drops down into the Many Glacier valley, climbs over Piegan Pass, and then heads back down to Siyeh Bend on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Every step along this trek offers awe-inspiring beauty!

The best way to do this hike is to park your car at Rising Sun on the east side, or at Apgar on the west, and take the free shuttle up to Logan Pass. From there you’ll hike 7.6 miles along the Highline Trail to the Granite Park Chalet. Due to its exceptionally beautiful views, the Highline Trail is likely the most popular backcountry trail in the park, and should be on the bucket list of any self-respecting hiker. With an elevation gain of only 975 feet, the hike to the chalet is also relatively easy.

If you feel this first leg of the loop is a little too easy, and you still have a little gas left in the tank, I highly recommend taking the 0.6-mile Garden Wall Trail up to the top of the Continental Divide. From this perch, 900 feet above the Highline Trail, you’ll enjoy commanding views of Grinnell Glacier lying on the other side of the divide.

That night you’ll stay at the historic Granite Park Chalet. The Chalet has 12 guest rooms, each with 2 to 6 bunks. Although very basic, and virtually no amenities, it’s still much better than camping if you’re not a fan of sleeping in tents. Be forewarned though, you will need to make a reservation several months in advance.

The next day you’ll make the short climb over Swiftcurrent Pass before making the 2300-foot descent down to Many Glacier. From the top of the pass, down to the head of Bullhead Lake, the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail drops nearly 2000 feet in just three miles. Once in the Swiftcurrent Valley the trail flattens out substantially. As you proceed down the valley you’ll pass Redrock Falls, Redrock Lake, Fishercap Lake, as well as several alpine meadows. In all, this leg of the trek covers 7.5 miles.

Before leaving Swiftcurrent Pass, however, you do have the option of visiting the Swiftcurrent Fire Lookout. The lookout is perched atop Swiftcurrent Mountain, which requires a climb of more than 900 feet in roughly 1.4 miles. As you might expect the panoramic views from this outpost are quite spectacular.

Once in Many Glacier you’ll have several options for overnight accommodations, including staying at the historic Many Glacier Hotel.

Your third day of hiking will be the longest and the toughest. Hikers will climb roughly 2700 feet as they make their way up to Piegan Pass, before dropping back down to Siyeh Bend on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The climb out of the Many Glacier Valley is 8.4 miles by itself, and then from Piegan Pass to Siyeh Bend is another 4.4 miles. Although Piegan Pass isn’t nearly as popular as the Highline Trail or Swiftcurrent Pass, it’s only because it’s overlooked by most people. If you still haven’t had enough of the mind-blowing scenery, I highly recommend taking the short and easy side trip out to Preston Park, located roughly 2.4 miles from your end point. I would have to rank this as one of the beautiful alpine meadows I’ve ever seen.

Upon returning to the Going-to-the-Sun Road simply take the shuttle to return back to your car.

The exceptionally beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the proliferation of wildflowers along most of the route, all combine to make this a hike you'll remember for the rest of your life.




The National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Many Glacier includes the entire route described in this posting. The sectional maps series for Glacier National Park have a scale of 1:50,000, and provide much greater detail such as backcountry campsites, footbridges, stream crossings, water and snow hazard locations, points-of-interest, as well as shuttle stops. All Trails Illustrated Maps are waterproof and tear-resistant.






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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Just released: Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Campground closings this weekend

This weekend, several campgrounds in Glacier National Park will be closing for the season. Campgrounds closing on Monday, September 12th, include:

* Bowman Lake

* Kintla Lake

* Rising Sun

* Sprague Creek

Two Medicine and Many Glacier will close on Monday, September 19th. Logging Creek will close the following week on September 26th.

Please click here for the full schedule.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com