Tag Archives: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Grizzly makes fatal slip above Sun Road

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A fatal fall from a steep, snow covered slope claimed one of Glacier Park’s grizzly bears . . .

A dead grizzly bear was discovered along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park on May 22, according to park officials.

At approximately 10 a.m., a member of the park road crew was traveling down the Going-to-the-Sun Road when he came upon a dead grizzly bear located on the road about one mile above The Loop.

An initial investigation by the National Park Service indicated that the bear probably fell onto the road from a steep snowbank between 9-10 a.m. on May 22, according to the park. Plow crew members had traveled up the Sun Road at approximately 9 a.m. and saw no bear.

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East side access to Logan Pass restricted starting September 22

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Going -to-the-Sun Road construction will pretty much close off access to locations past St. May Campground up to Logan Pass beginning Monday, September 22. Access to Logan Pass from the west side is scheduled to remain open until October 20, weather permitting. Here’s the press release . . .

The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, September 22, allowing accelerated fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, September 23. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the west side of the park through Sunday, October 20, weather permitting.

Fall access to east-side hiking trails between Rising Sun and Logan Pass will be limited during road rehabilitation activity beginning Monday, September 23. Hikers wanting to hike any of the trails that are accessed, or may be an exit point, along the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, are highly encouraged to contact the park at 888-7800 before departing. The trails that are affected include Siyeh Pass, Piegan Pass, Otokomi, St. Mary Falls/Barring Falls/Virginia Falls, Gunsight, Sperry, and Red Eagle Trails. For more information on status of trails and access, please contact the park or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.

Access to some backcountry campsites on the east side of the park will also be affected. All backcountry campers are required to have a permit from the park’s backcountry office for overnight stays. All backcountry permits must be obtained from the Apgar Permit Center at this time of the year. For more information on backcountry camping and trail access, please contact the park at 888-7800 or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own drinking water as drinking water availability throughout the park will be limited during this time of year. Drinking water is not available at Logan Pass, but restroom facilities (new vault toilet) are. For more information contact the park at 406-888-7800.

Glacier Park’s future under discussion

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Glacier Park officials face several challenges over the next few years . . .

As park officials described it, with both optimism and concern, preserving and protecting the Crown of the Continent is a constant effort.

Aquatic invasive species continue to threaten Glacier National Park. Federal funding is drying up nationwide while lawmakers grapple over a transportation bill. As the top attraction in the state, the park’s escalating popularity is beginning to overwhelm resources and trails.

“What does this mean for the future of Glacier National Park?” Deputy Superintendent Kym Hall asked recently. “How do we maintain that quality visitor experience? Because I assume that’s what people come here for. It’s the Glacier experience, and it’s a unique experience.”

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Glacier Park’s free Going-to-the-Sun shuttles begin service today

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For those of you wishing to visit Logan Pass and Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier Park’s free shjuttle service starts today . . .

With construction under way on Going-to-the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, visitors are encouraged to use the park’s free shuttle service, beginning Sunday.

Visitors traveling the Sun Road can expect 30-minute maximum traffic delays on the west side of the park this summer and no delay on the east side.

The shuttle system provides two-way service between the Apgar Transit Center and St. Mary Visitor Center.

The Apgar center is the shuttle hub on the west side of the park.

The first two shuttles of the day are express trips straight to Logan Pass, without intermediate stops, departing at 7 and 7:30 a.m. Regular shuttle service for all stops on the west side of the park departs the transit center at 8 a.m.

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Oh, never mind – Sun Road opening delayed until middle of next week

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Glacier Park got too much new snow. The opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road through Logan Pass has been delayed until the middle of next week . . .

Glacier National Park officials are now expecting the Going-to-the-Sun Road to open to Logan Pass by the middle of next week, the park announced Tuesday.

Officials originally hoped Logan Pass would become accessible later this week, but the recent snow has hampered plow crews clearing the road. A storm last weekend dropped roughly 10 inches of snow, prompting additional slides on the road, according to the park. Since Memorial Day weekend, a minimum of 35 inches of snow has fallen at the higher elevations of the road.

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Glacier Park still shooting for Friday Sun Road opening

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Glacier National Park still thinks it can have Going-to-the-Sun Road open this Friday, June 15 . . .

Glacier National Park officials say they’re hoping to open Going-to-the-Sun Road on Friday but much depends on the weather.

Businesses that rely on the road, meanwhile, are hoping they don’t see a repeat of last year when the road didn’t open until July 13.

“It’s all up to Mother Nature,” Glacier spokeswoman Denise Germann told the Great Falls Tribune. “We need her help to help move forward.” She said crews are working to open the road despite spring storms that brought 16 new inches of snow since Memorial Day. She said snow slides have also slowed progress, with crews even having to plow their way back through avalanches that came in behind them. Some avalanches on the west side of Logan Pass were up to 15 feet deep.

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Despite delays, Sun Road opening still planned for June 15

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According to the Hungry Horse News, Glacier Park still hopes to have Going-to-the-Sun Road open by June 15, despite recent weather delays . . .

Just a few weeks ago, Glacier National Park officials were hoping they’d have plows at Logan Pass by now. Mother Nature, however, had other plans.

Last week was marked by heavy rain, snow and poor visibility. Plows on the west side one day had to clear several snow slides that crossed the highway behind them just to get off the Sun Road.

But now the plows are close to Logan Pass. On the east side, crews should be pioneering a route through the Big Drift this week, and west-side crews should be at Logan Pass — they were at Oberlin Bend late last week, less than half a mile below the pass. Snow depths were 12 to 24 feet.

The Park is hoping to have the entire length of the Run Road open by June 15, if weather cooperates.

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Glacier Park still plans Going-to-the-Sun Road opening June 15

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Glacier National Park says they are still on schedule to open Going-to-the-Sun Road by June 15 . . .

If the weather holds, Glacier National Park plows crews are expected to be at Logan Pass by May 25, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road should open all the way over Logan Pass by June 15, Park assistant superintendent Kym Hall said last week.

“We’re on track for a June 15 opening,” Hall said.

Hall made the announcement at a public meeting in Columbia Falls on May 16. Once the snow is cleared, it still takes a few weeks to clear the road of rocks and debris and to install removable guardrails at several locations, Hall said. The guardrails need to be bolted into place.

According to the Park’s contract with HK Construction, June 15 is the earliest the road could open…

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Glacier Park community meetings held this week

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Glacier National Park held two meetings this week to share information about park activities and plans and get feedback from local communities. The Daily Inter Lake has a report on Tuesday’s meeting in Columbia Falls . . .

Glacier National Park is struggling with shuttle bus finances and over the next few years will craft a management plan to try to deal with congestion along Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The shuttle bus/road situation was one of the topics at a community meeting Tuesday in Columbia Falls featuring Glacier Park leaders.

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