Glacier Officials Announce Closure Date for Logan Pass

According to the latest news release on October 15, 2008.

Glacier National Park officials announce the winter closure of the 16-mile alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) between Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass on Monday, October 20 at 8 a.m.

Park policy establishes a firm closing of the road between The Loop and Logan Pass. Given current Sun Road reconstruction, this closure will extend from Avalanche Creek to Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Typically the park has waited until conditions are bad and the crews have to work in nasty weather. Perhaps the new person in charge really has his troops well being in mind. Can't imagine there is any common sense floating around in those realms. Perhaps the political folks who usually apply pressure are too busy trying to save their own lives being as it is an election year and a lot of them are on the chopping block.

Whatever the reason it is good to see someone make a good choice.

That's my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

Work begin on West Entrance to Glacier

This is the view as you approach the West entrance to Glacier National Park. Work has begun to restructure the lanes to allow supposely more people into the park quicker. Plans also call for building a new entrance station, a rest room and concession facilities in the same area.

This has been a plan that has been talked about for some time. Will it work?....I hope so considering all the taxpayer dollars that have been spent....












































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

High Country Snow....

The following is a quote from the wonderful folks in the Glacier National Park backcountry office:

Above average snowpack, a cold spring, and several severe spring snow storms (Say that three times fast) have left the higher elevations of Glacier under deep snow and are presenting challenges to backcountry travel, especially over the high passes.

Our melt-out is about two to three weeks behind normal so many of our backcountry campgrounds are not opening on time either. Sustained summer heat has finally allowed 24 hour snowmelt and our hope is that this will facilitate more backcountry campground openings in the near future.

Along with this melt-out however, comes high water hazards and possible undercut snowbanks. High angle snow slopes finish out the troika of risks associated with Glacier's current backcountry conditions.

During the next few weeks, backpackers wishing to venture into the high country should be familiar with swift water crossing techniques and well versed in the use of an ice ax and crampons and possess the ability to self-arrest.

There are few offices in the park that I would put a lot of faith and trust in, but the crew at the back country office is one of them. This group of individuals are lead by the charming Brian McKeon. Actually everyone knows that really the office is ran by mother Kim and Grandma Linda, but they like to let Brian think he is in charge. But then that is a story for another day....

Temperatures have been dropping into the 40's most night here in West Glacier and in the high country. Flat top Mountain weather station shows the same trend.

It seems possible for some of the high country snows to still be around when the snows begin again in a couple months. Only time will tell.


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

Winter Wonderland at Logan Pass

Read todays snow story in the local paper. The picture taken by Garrett Cheen of the Daily Inter Lake.

Happy Fourth of July

Here is hoping that everyone has a great safe 4th.

Logan Pass Opens for season

The Logan Pass section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road opened for the season on the morning of July 2. The road is now fully open. There is still considerable snow at the top of the pass and around the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Please try to remain on the plowed walkways and off of newly emerging vegetation as the snow recedes.

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,