WEST GLACIER – The Going-to-the-Sun Road across the crown of Glacier National Park opened Sunday, despite several inches of new snow and drifts that had to be cleared during the morning, park officials announced.

The gates at Logan Pass, along the Continental Divide, swung open as light snow continued to fall, marking the second-earliest opening.

The earliest the pass opened to traffic was on May 16, 1987.

The National Historic Landmark road extends 50 miles, between St. Mary on the east side and West Glacier on the west.

Officials said if nighttime closure of the alpine route is necessary because of weather or other problems “every effort will be made to reopen the upper roadway as soon as conditions permit.”