Glacier National Park Recovers From Impacts Of Major Spring Storm

A number of park roads, campgrounds and other facilities were temporarily closed last week due to a storm that brought four to eight inches of rain to lower elevations and up to 36 inches of snow to higher elevations over a two-day period.

Spring plowing was slowed and in some cases stopped last week due to the weather and low visibility. West side plowing activities resumed on Sunday and road crews punched through 16 new snow slides to The Slopes area on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. At least 24 new snow slides on the road were observed by park staff, with more anticipated as plowing progresses. Road crews report encountering snow slides up to 200 feet long and 15 feet deep.

Crews will also be clearing the road of rock, mud, and wood debris. Many areas of the road that were once clear of snow now need to be plowed again. A snow slide destroyed at least eight segments of guard rail near Haystack Creek.

On the west side of the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road is currently open to vehicle travel from the West Entrance to Avalanche. Hiker-biker access is available from Avalanche to the Loop while road crews are working.

On the east side of the park, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is currently open to vehicle travel from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook. Road construction activity is currently underway between Rising Sun and Siyeh Bend. There is no hiker-biker access past the Jackson Glacier Overlook vehicle closure.

Water levels appear to have stabilized across the park, decreasing concerns of flooding. The St. Mary Campground is now open with limited sites available. Access to Kintla Lake via the Inside North Fork Road is again possible. The Goat Haunt area is now open and boat tours are operating regularly. Park personnel continue to monitor other areas of the park as temperatures rise and snowmelt continues.

For additional questions about Glacier National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call 406-888-7800. See the park’s Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps for various images of the park, including recent snow slides on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.