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Contact: Denise Germann, 406 888-5838 Contact: Jennifer Lutman, 406 888-7895
WEST GLACIER, MONT. - All 50 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is anticipated to be open to vehicle travel on Tuesday, June 19, allowing access to Logan Pass. The timing of the road opening on Tuesday will depend on a winter weather advisory that has been issued for the Northern Rocky Mountain Front, including Glacier National Park. The winter advisory is in effect through noon Tuesday for elevations above 6,500 feet, with possible snow accumulations of 1-3 inches at Logan Pass. Park road crews encountered a minimum of 35 inches of new snow with multiple spring storms since Memorial Day Weekend creating some challenging conditions to plow and open access to Logan Pass. It is anticipated that the Logan Pass Visitor Center and rest rooms will be open, but potable water at Logan Pass will not be available until later in the week. New rest room facilities below the visitor center were constructed last year and will be available for use. The visitor center will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including a bookstore managed by park partner Glacier Association. Visitors will discover a snow-covered landscape at Logan Pass. Winter weather may be encountered with cold temperatures and wind, freezing temperatures at night, as well as icy conditions. The trails are covered in snow and visitors should exercise caution when walking on snow. Be aware of unseen holes in the snow and snow bridges that exist. The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is closed due to snow conditions. Rehabilitation work on the Going-to-the-Sun Road will continue this year with construction on the west side occurring between Avalanche Creek and Logan Creek (3.5 miles) and between Haystack Creek and Big Bend (2 miles). Visitors can expect 30-minute maximum traffic delays on the west side of the park this summer and no delays on the east side. The opening of Logan Pass marks the end of current hiker/biker access. Bicyclists are reminded that bicycle restrictions are in effect on the Going-to-the-Sun-Road due to traffic congestion now through Labor Day, September 3. Bicycles are prohibited between Apgar Campground and Sprague Creek Campground from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, bicycles are prohibited eastbound (uphill) between Logan Creek and Logan Pass from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information on bicycle restrictions and average bicycle times, check the park newspaper, the Waterton-Glacier Guide which can be accessed online at, https:///www.nps.gov/applications/glac/inforequest/inforequest3.cfm. The park's free optional shuttle system that provides shuttle services along the Going-to-the-Sun Road will begin operations on July 1. The shuttle system is intended to minimize impacts on visitors throughout the multi -year rehabilitation project on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. For more information on the shuttle system, visit https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm. For current information on park roads, weather conditions, and visitor services visit Glacier National Park's website at https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800. Updates can also be found on the park's official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GlaicerNationalPark and on Twitter @glaciernps. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015