Going to the Sun Road 2008....Big Bend

Heavens Peak
The park officially opened the Going to the Sun Road to the Big Bend closure last Saturday. I decided to go check it out the 29 mile drive for myself so I could tell you first hand what I found. Please keep in mind to focus on the beauty of what is around you at all times. That said here we go....

Leaving West Glacier and heading up along Lake McDonald is always a wonderful drive with the lake having high water levels. Where there have been beaches in the past are now covered with water.....so be prepared to get wet if you intend to walk on the lake shore.

The road surface appeared for some reason to have a lot more dips and bumps than I remember from last year. Upon passing the turnoffs to the Lodge. it became quickly apparent that there were horses around. I am not sure why, but it was VERY aromatic. We quickly proceeded on up the road, through Avalanche where there was also construction going on. Upon arriving in moose country we came across a ranger standing in the background observing a large crowd of visitors. Sure enough the resident moose was in the water on the right side of the road having a snack. Please use common sense in these situations, these are WILD animals.

The road got rough as we approached the Logan pit area. It appears that they are using this as a staging area for the construction on the road. The heavy trucks are taking their toll on an old road.

There are new pit toilets being built along the way in the Logan creek area, however they were not available when we were there. There were portipotties along the side of the road. Once we started the climb out of the valley the condition of the road did not improve. There is an abundance of water moving down the chutes and in McDonald Creek. It is obvious that all the water is effecting the road. Arriving at the West tunnel we encountered water cascading down and once we splashed through the tunnel come upon a gravel surface. It actually was fairly smooth, however loose gravel and driving in the mountains are a fun combination. All of the parking area at the Loop is being used for more staging of large rocks. Until this is finished I can see huge bottlenecks forming. You shouldn't plan on finding any parking there anytime soon.

The next three mile or so section of the road is a real experience to say the least. If you have anyone in your vehicle that doesn't care for open heights I would not proceed past the loop. The construction continues and for a ways there is nothing between the outside lane and freefall. I am not sure if they just haven't gotten the barriers in place or if someone in their great wisdom decided not to. That was an enlighting experience and I thought I has seen it all. Shortly after we came across a flagger and single lane traffic. We now had to sit and wait for the pilot truck to come back and guide us through the single lane. There was no construction going on anywhere that I could see. At least here they had placed barriers on the outside edge of the inside lane, just visible signs that something was going on. It appeared the complete outside lane was gone and it felt to me as we were just hanging onto a very narrow ledge with a loose gravel surface. It was not a pleasant experience! We waited for 10-15 minutes for out turn to proceed. The rest of the ride to Big Bend was under the same conditions.


Bird Woman Falls The views of Bird Woman Falls were breathtaking. It seemed like you could reach out and touch it. Actually I took so many photos of the falls that I didnt get any of the road condition which I wanted to forget about. The short distance on to Big Bend was uneventful, with having to pass along the Weeping Walls. At this point in the season it should have been called the crying falls.From all the talk of heavy snow I was disappointed when I got to Big Bend. The amount of snow left was very small compared to years past. After walking around taking in the sights and taking in the very fresh cool fresh aire realized that I now had to go back through that same route. Only this time as the driver I was right at the edge.

Big Bend There was not much low snow lying around. However the views were spectacular with mountain goats on the hillsides. Lots of water running and still lots of snow higher up.




Weeping Wall
As you can see there is a lot of water coming out of the weeping wall and onto the roadway.


Black BearUpon making it back to lower elevations we encountered another traffic jam. it is so amazing to me that folks come to the wild and loose all aspects of common sense. There were folks standing literally 6 feet from this adult black bear, totally unaware of what they were placing themselves and the bear in. Please enjoy the wildlife, but be smart.
Please keep in mind to focus on the beauty of what is around you at all times and try not to think about the construction zones.

We did safely make it back through the construction zone, however I will tell you that when I go back up to see and document Logan Pass, it will be from the St Mary's side of the park. This is a section of the road I will not drive on again until it is completely finished.




Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

Going to the Sun Road 2008 opening to Big Bend...

Officials at Glacier National Park have just announced that the Going-to-the-Sun Road is expected to open to Big Bend, a distance of 29 miles from the West entrance by noon on Saturday, June 28. On the east side, you can travel approximately 13 miles from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Access into the alpine section from the west entrance will only be available from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Outside these hours, the road will close at Avalanche.

Be prepared for a wonderful day. For current weather conditions go here.

For current webcam shots go here


These photos taken minutes ago via park webcams in the West Glacier area.

Going to the Sun Road opening 2008 to Big Bend...

According to the local news source The Daily Inter Lake the park supposely will soon open the road to Big Bend, however, the official Glacier National Park road status page still shows the road closed at Avalanche.

We will see what the rest of the day brings here to Northwest Montana and the spectacular Glacier National Park.

These photos show the road crew working toward and on the "Big Drift".



Unless we have a very "hot and wet" summer it appears there could be snow still on the ground when winter comes upon us again in the fall. This is good news for the young at heart who like to take part in the awesome spring skiing at Logan Pass. Of course that is, if and when they will be able to get there.

Snow depths especially in shaded areas is significant, resulting in lots of runoff. Remember that the number one danger and killer in the park is the fast moving very cold water. Use caution and common sense at all times.

Today just happens to be the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Going to the Sun Road. Festivities are taking place through out the area. Please join in and help celebrate with us.

When approaching the park be aware the traffic lines have began to build at the West Entrance, so bear with the crews working the incoming traffic. The entrance fee this year is $25.00 unless you have one of the approved park passes. If you are a senior citizen take advantage of purchasing a "Golden Age" lifetime pass for $10.00. Be prepared to have a wait to enter the park. Have patience with them as they are doing a thankless job. Take time to let them know how you feel. As always it is all worth it in the long run. If you have never been to the park, you are in for a real treat, regardless how far you can go in. The high moisture received this winter, has spectacular waterfalls, wildflowers and green everywhere. Be ready for wildlife sighting anywhere, and please remember they are wildlife and therefore are not use to people. Use common sense at all times in all cases.

Construction is still ongoing on the GTSR and there is a several mile stretch around the Loop where you will be driving on gravel surface.

Enjoy your trip to Glacier National Park and thank the powers to be that you have to pay over $4.00 a gallon for gas. If you have any comments or questions please ask.....

Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day...

Going to the Sun Road opening 2008 continued.....(GTSR)

The News article from one of the local news sources might lead you to believe that the GTSR will open soon. Sounds like another one of those dreams that keeps coming back and no one can figure out the real story or why. They just keep at it until it feels right,they get it right, or mother nature does her thing. Which ever comes first.....

Bottom line is politics always tries to control the opening of the road. No expense or danger is too much. However no one has figured out who or what is really in control here. They may get the road open like they want, however with all the snow and moisture that we have received, the rocks and dirt will move and take back what is really theirs.

Doesn't this quote from Jim Foster, deputy chief of facilities sound like a typical federal employee?

"The budget is broke," said Foster. "But we're still going to get the road plowed."

and we wonder why our budget and economy is in such sad shape. Management priorities change with the whims and direction of who ever has the floor at the time. Perhaps things will change with the arrival of the new superintendent, however being as it is another end of the road for a career I wouldn't expect too much. Seems like Glacier has been a stepping stone for past and current leaders, either for loftier jobs or retirement. One would think someone would figure it out and change the cycle.

As far as the news article goes, All I can say is if Chris writes the story he is either really anxious to drive over the summit of Logan Pass and go hike and take pictures in one of his many secret places, or some of the powers to be have him snowed under...kind of like hmmmmm...Logan Pass, Highline Trail or most all of the other high country passes.

Actually of all the reporters in the valley Chris is the one I would believe the first!! and if The Hungry Horse News prints it, it has to be true!!!

It could be a very short summer for backcountry hikers, unless we get some serious heat and rain. Who ever believes global warming should try to hike the high country in Glacier right now. Or better yet call the Backcountry desk (406-888-7857) and ask them the status of the high country passes, trails and campsites and see what they say.

Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day...

Going to the Sun Road Opening 2008 continues.......

The park crews trek continues on to clear the massive cover of snow and reach the spectacular summit of the Going to the Sun Road at Logan Pass. The crews have pioneered the big drift(made the initial cut across the drift) and have begun the slow process of working their way down to the pavement. Typically the big drift is 60 to 100 FEET deep and takes a lot of skill and guts to safely clear it.
The weather has been cooperating the past few days, however as you can see there is still a lot of snow to be moved. No opening date has been set as of yet.

This photo was taken in the Rimrocks area which is on the west side of the park. If you have never been here, this section of the road is bounded by rock walls on one side and sheer drop offs on the other. It is just before you enter the Oberlin bend area of the road, which is just below Logan Pass.



Here the crews work toward the Oberlin Bend area of the road. This final turn before the summit provides lots of viewing of Mountain goats and their young early in the season. This is also where the begining of the famous "Highline Trail" begins. Grizzlies are known to pass through this area when trying to get from one spot to another.


The Going to the Sun Road 75th year dedication ceremony is still scheduled to be held at Lake McDonald Lodge this Friday. Follow the link for more detailed information.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is currently open to vehicles for 16 miles from West Glacier to Avalanche and 13 miles from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook. Crews are working to provide additional vehicular access into the alpine section as soon as safely possible. Hikers and bikers may travel limited distances beyond the vehicle closures. There are many other scenic drives in the park. The drive from West Glacier to St. Mary on Highways 2 and 89 only takes about 2 hours and quite honestly is a spectacular drive in itself.

Good luck on planning your trip to Glacier National Park. If you have any comments or questions please ask.....Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day...

Going to the Sun Road spring (summer) opening??.....

Plowing of the Going to the Sun Road continues here in Glacier National Park. Conditions have improved as far as weather is concerned, the sun is out and temperatures are rising.


In talking with members of the opening crew, there is a lot of snow still up high that needs to either melt or come down. Progress has been and will remain to be slow. With all the new snow on top of the old snowpack, conditions for avalanches are ripe. Safety remains to be the primary concern as always with the park work crews and crew leaders. That is a good thing, as I have mentioned previously, politics both local and government has in the past played a big part to the push forward regardless. Perhaps common sense is prevailing and inquiring management minds will see the light....guess time will tell...I for one will not hold my breath..

When one thinks of the amount of money spent to open a road full of snow it is huge. That money perhaps could be better spent on backlogged maintenance and trail projects. Did I mention there is also a multi- million dollar road repair job also trying to go on at the same time. Of course all this snow has to be removed first. Hmmmmm...can anyone say "your tax dollars at work" and global warming in the same breath? Kind of ironic what and how someone sitting in an office far away from here can make decisions that affect so many people. Is it really worth it for visitors to be able to drive through this spectacular place. Some days I wonder if three months of expense and danger is worth maybe 3-4 months of use........Click to view an excellent June 6 video of crew working on clearing the road.

The delays are not only affecting the Going to the Sun Road this year, but also some trails. In talking with one member of the trail crew, they stated that there could very well be some trails which do not even open this summer due to amount of snow in high country. It will all depend on what hot temperatures and moisture we receive. It at best will be an interesting year all over Glacier National Park!

From the land of enchantment where all the people who live here year around.. love it, where the millions of people yearly come to visit and love it, and the wildlife love it for 9 months of the year. Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day...

Happy Father's Day

A beautiful day here.....bright sunshine and temps in the 80's.....Hope all father's out there had a great day with their families. I got phone calls from 3 out of 4 of my kids so..I feel very blessed.

Will try and have a normal(?) post tomorrow...Have a great rest of the day...

75th Anniversary of the Going-to-the-Sun Road dedication relocated

Due to continued winter conditions at Logan Pass and park crews not able to safely clear the winter snows deposits, Glacier National Park officials have just announced that the June 27 celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has been moved to Lake McDonald Lodge due to winter still hanging on at the pass.

With the arrival of over 2 foot of additional new snow, road crews will not work in higher elevations until conditions have settled and conditions are more stable. This decision is surprising at best, because in the past crews were directed to continue on with their work, with the primarily objective being to "get that road open." Local and political pressures typically dictated that "the road must be opened so the visitors can come and keep the economy running." It is refreshing to see that safety just might be a part of the new regime. I always felt that when "political figures and local powers" were allowed to override the safety of the crews working in the adverse conditions that exist something was wrong with that picture.


The men and women that operate the heavy equipment in those condition deserve all the respect we can give them. If you have never stood in their shoes you should try it some time. They put their lives on the line each and every time they go up there. It takes a special breed to work in that environment. I for one say

"Great job guys and gals"
Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day...

Progress on Going to the Sun Road

It is a beautiful day here in paradise.. finally..... the past few day showed us another taste of winter weather with the higher elevations receiving over 2 foot of new snow. The FLATTOP MTN. SNOTEL Data Report site is reporting still having 109 inches of snow on the ground at the 6300 foot level. This of course has moved the plows back down the road to lower elevations until conditions permit safe working conditions. The park had predicted that the road would open tomorrow June 13, 2008, However that is not even close. Only time will tell when that will happen.

There is a new Superintendent arriving in the near future at the park. Only time will tell how he will fit in. Currently and since the departure of Mick Holm into retirement, the deputy supt has been trying to run the park. Luckily it has been the quiet time of the year. Typically in past tenures other supts have been here as a last stop before retirement. Therefore more has been done to achieve their own goals and agendas than actually do something positive for the park.

Road construction is still ongoing again this year and the weather has slowed or stopped some aspects of their job. Paving that supposed to done this spring will most likely not happen because of the late spring weather.
The GTSR

Going to the Sun Road opening progress June 2008

What a difference a few months can make! This is a recent photo of the Weeping Wall in Glacier National Park.

Typically this area would now be a very busy place with visitors vehicles and the famous Red buses driving their passengers through the cascading waters which falls from the rocks in this historic location. As you can see that is not the case this year. Don't let this discourage you from coming to this wonderful place, there is still lots to see and do. Just bring your snow boots, wet weather gear and the desire to explore a great place.

Spring snow removal is progressing very slowly. Weather conditions and equipment issues, as well as a above normal snow pack could make for one of the latest openings for the world famous Going to the Sun Road in years.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Lake McDonald Lodge to Avalanche is currently open to vehicles approximately 16 miles from West Glacier to Avalanche, with biking and hiking only allowed pass this point, if current conditions permit. On the east side you can drive in 6 miles to the Rising Sun area.

The Flattop Mountain weather station is reporting today that there is still over 90 inches of snow on the ground. ( that would be 7 and 1/2 feet of snow) This location is lower in elevation than Logan Pass Visitor Center, which should tell us what the pass looks like. With all the cool wet/snow weather we are having and the above conditions, the opening of the pass anytime soon appears to be out of the question. Stay tuned for any further updates.

Goat Haunt Returns

The Goat Haunt Web cam has returned once again as one of the many Glacier National Park webcams offered. Each spring the parks IT crew make the journey through the woods and across the borders to install this cam. These guys are awesome and are a very under appreciated group. Great job guys..we love it!!!!
This cam is located in one of the northern most reaches of Glacier National Park across Waterton Lake and the Famous Prince of Wales Hotel .
This remote webcam is powered by hydro-electric power which can only be placed in service after winter conditions have departed for the spring. It provides a stunning look at what life is like in a place most visitors will never go to. Enjoy this webcam and check back often.