Glacier Road Crews Currently Working on the Big Drift at Logan Pass

Glacier National Park road crews working on plowing snow off the Going-to-the-Sun Road have finally reached Logan Pass earlier this week. They're currently working on the Big Drift, which is located just east of Logan Pass, and is usually more than 30 feet deep.

Again, this year, the park is posting some incredible photos of the road as they dig out of the snow:

In addition to snow plowing, crews are also re-installing more than 400 guard rails that are removed each fall in order to prevent them from being damaged by avalanches and harsh winter elements:

You may want to note that the latest update on park website states there will be no hiker/biker restrictions on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, beginning this weekend, for those visiting from the west side. Here's some additional information:

On Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, there are no hiker/biker restrictions on the Going to the Sun Road and hikers/bikers can (go) as far as they want. On Saturday, the Logan Pass Parking Lot will be closed due to crews working in the parking lot from 7am-1pm.

For hikers and bikers coming up from the east side, here's the latest from the park website:

Hiker/bikers can travel to Siyeh Bend while the road crew is working, Tuesday through Friday, there will be no hiker/biker restrictions this weekend (6/8 and 6/9). On Monday, June 10, the road crew will be working and hiker/bikers can travel 2 miles beyond the vehicle closure to Siyeh Bend.

Motorists should note that the earliest the entire 50-mile road can be opened to vehicle traffic is June 21st.

You can view many other photos of road crew progress and winter scenery on Glacier's Flickr page.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Snow Removal on Teton Park Road to Begin April 1st

Grand Teton National Park road crews will begin their annual spring plowing of the Teton Park Road from Taggart Lake parking area to Signal Mountain Lodge on Monday, April 1, 2013. As plowing operations get underway, recreation on this winter trail will cease for the season. Visitors may continue to use other winter trails, or areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road, for skate-skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing until conditions are no longer favorable.

For safety reasons, park visitors may NOT access the Teton Park Road while rotary snow removal equipment and plows are working; the roadway is closed to ALL users during this time.

Skiers and snowshoers using areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow being blown from the rotary equipment because pieces of ice and gravel can be mixed with the spray. Park rangers will enforce the temporary closure to ensure safe conditions for plow operators and visitors alike.

Depending on weather, snow conditions and plowing progress, the roadway should become accessible to traditional springtime activities by mid-April. Once the Teton Park Road opens to non-motorized use, people should be alert for park vehicles that occasionally travel for administrative purposes and for snow plowing operations that continue as a result of late-season snowstorms.

The Teton Park Road will open to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.

Due to budget reductions from sequestration, the Moose-Wilson Road, Antelope Flats, Death Canyon and Signal Mountain Summit roads will not be plowed this spring. Vehicles can access these roads once they have naturally melted out and road closed signs are removed. Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is close for the winter and will remain closed to all vehicles from April 1 to May 31, due to springtime grizzly bear activity. Although the Grassy Lake Road will be open to vehicles for the 2013 summer season, dispersed campsites and vault toilets along the road will not open due to budget reductions.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Snow Crews Making Progress on the Going-to-the-Sun Road

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 cleared snow down to the pavement up to Swede Point - roughly 1.5 miles above The Loop.

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 the Hudson Bay Road Crew removed snow from the Two Medicine Campground, and has encountered snow drifts that were 5 to 20 feet deep in the campground loops. Right now the Two Medicine Road is open to Running Eagle Falls.

For a complete update, please click here.

The photo below was taken near Crystal Point on Wednesday:


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


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com