Glacier Park’s ‘Sun Road’ ready for motor vehicles

PARKS — Although bicyclists have been pedaling to Logan Pass on freshly plowed blacktop for three weeks, vehicle access from the west side to the top of Glacier National Park’s Going to the Sun Road is set to open Friday, June 12.

The entire route through the Montana park should be open by June 19.

Following are details from a just-posted park media release:

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Vehicle access to Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side of Glacier National Park is anticipated to be available tomorrow morning, Thursday, June 11. Park road crews have finished snow removal, debris clean-up, guard rail installation, and facility preparation, as well as assessing snow conditions.  Vehicle access to Logan Pass from the east side of the park is scheduled to be available June 19 due to road rehabilitation work.

Services at Logan Pass will include restroom facilities and potable water.  The Logan Pass Visitor Center will not be open until June 19.  At that time it will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., including a bookstore managed by the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

There are two areas along the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road near Rim Rock, just below Oberlin Bend, that visitors will need to drive with caution.  Approximately 200 feet of masonry guard walls were destroyed by avalanches this past winter and temporary barriers have been installed creating a narrow two-lane roadway.

Through June 19, crews will be working near Triple Arches, located approximately two miles below Logan Pass on the west side.  One-lane traffic will be implemented during this time.  Flaggers will direct traffic during the day and traffic control lights will be used nights and weekends.  Crews will be completing some of the detail masonry work on the footing areas.

Visitors will discover a snow-covered landscape at Logan Pass. Cold temperatures and wind, as well as icy conditions, may be encountered. Be aware of snow walls along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and hazardous snow bridges near the Big Drift. Standing or walking on snow along the road is strongly discouraged.

Trails near Logan Pass will be covered in snow and visitors should exercise caution when hiking. Be aware of unseen holes in the snow and snow bridges that exist. Avoid crossing steep, snow-covered slopes where a fall could be disastrous. Visitors should have the appropriate equipment and skills if hiking on snow.

The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is closed due to snow conditions.

Click here for current status reports on park trails.