Going-to-the-Sun Road opens in Glacier

WEST GLACIER, Mont. - All 50 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park opened to vehicle travel on Tuesday.

However, don't rush to ride the road just yet.

"Visitors will discover a snow-covered landscape at Logan Pass," according to a press release. "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."

A winter advisory was 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.

The Logan Pass Visitor Center and restrooms are open, but potable water at Logan Pass will not be available until later in the week. New restroom 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.

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.

The park's free optional shuttle system that provides shuttle services along the Going-to-the-Sun Road will begin operations on July 1.

For current information on park roads, weather conditions and visitor services visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call park headquarters at (406) 888-7800.