Going to the Sun Road and Logan Pass expected to open today

The Going-to-the-Sun Road should open to through traffic for the entire 52 mile length pending an inspection of the road this morning.

A weather system moved in to the area last night, which could have caused some damage to the already soaked hillsides. Expect to encounter very narrow gravel roads with lots of water. The over three miles of single lane traffic is not for the weak of heart. Construction projects are still ongoing for the remainder of the summer and you should plan for lengthy delays.

This will be the latest opening of Sun Road over Logan Pass since 1943, when the pass was opened July 10 because of reduced staffing during World War II.

You can read more about this on the Daily Inter Lake"s online morning edition,

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...