Glacier Park snowplows hit east side

Glacier National Park plows are set to hit the pavement on the west side next week. Park crews will start plowing April 1 at Fish Creek and the Camas Road and then move to the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Lake McDonald Lodge.

On the east side, crews have started plowing Highway 89 to the Chief Mountain customs station. As spring progresses, they'll work their way south to the Many Glacier, Two Medicine and then Going-to-the-Sun roads.

Plow crews are scheduled to start on the Many Glacier Road on April 1 and the Two Medicine Road the week of April 15, according to Park spokeswoman Denise Germann. The schedule is subject to the vagaries of weather.

The Sun Road generally takes about three months to plow. The earliest the road will open completely this year is June 21 due to construction contracts.

While hikers and bikers are generally allowed to use the Sun Road when plowing isn't taking place, construction this year beyond Avalanche Creek could limit access during the week.

The Park provides updated road conditions and closures online at www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm.