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Park roads beginning to open up

| April 10, 2010 9:00 PM

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK - Portions of Glacier National Park roads are beginning to open up, according to a weekly road report from the park. Going-to-the-Sun Road is open for vehicles for 10 miles to Lake McDonald Lodge on the park's west side and six miles to Rising Sun on the east side. The road into Two Medicine Valley is open for vehicle traffic as far as Running Eagle Falls. Kintla Road is open to Big Prairie.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK - Portions of Glacier National Park roads are beginning to open up, according to a weekly road report from the park.

Going-to-the-Sun Road is open for vehicles for 10 miles to Lake McDonald Lodge on the park's west side and six miles to Rising Sun on the east side.

The road into Two Medicine Valley is open for vehicle traffic as far as Running Eagle Falls. Kintla Road is open to Big Prairie.

All other park roads remain closed to vehicles due to snow and ice.

Plowing is complete on the west side of Sun Road from Lake McDonald Lodge to about one mile past the Avalanche Campground, but parts of the road are covered with ice and won't be opened to vehicle traffic until the ice melts off.

Crews cleared an avalanche slide at Red Rock Point that left a debris field about 30 feet deep and 100 feet long. Hiker and biker access is currently allowed from Lake McDonald Lodge to one mile south of the Red Rock slide.

Vehicle traffic is not allowed on the Many Glacier Road until the third weekend in April at the earliest, weather permitting.

The Camas Road has been plowed but five miles of the road surface is covered with ice. The road remains closed to motor vehicles until the ice melts.

Road status is dependent on weather, and a storm on Thursday was expected to bring 2 to 6 inches of new snow plus high winds to Glacier.

Through April, the Apgar Visitor Center is open weekends only from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the week, visitors can stop at park headquarters in West Glacier for information and backcountry permits. Headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors also can phone (406) 888-7800 for general park information, including the specific location of hiker/bicycle closures.

Current road conditions for Glacier National Park are available by calling 511 or (800) 226-7623. Select "Glacier Park Tourist Information" from the main menu to hear Glacier's road report.

An interactive map showing current vehicle access points is available online at: www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm.