Weekend Road Update for Glacier National Park

April 17-18 Weekend Road Update for Glacier National Park
Date: April 16, 2010
Contact: Amy Vanderbilt, 406 888-5838
Contact: Wade Muehlhof, 406 888-7895

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Officials at Glacier National Park report that the east side of the park received nearly a foot of new snow this week, sending the plows back to areas already cleared once. It’s a reminder that the progress of the plowing, and subsequent road openings, is completely weather dependant and can change day to day.

Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) is currently open for vehicles 10 miles to Lake McDonald Lodge on the park’s west side and six miles to Rising Sun on the east side. The road into Two Medicine Valley is currently open to vehicle traffic to Running Eagle Falls. Kintla Road is open from Polebridge to Big Prairie. Many Glacier Road opens to vehicle traffic Saturday, April 17. All other park roads remain closed to motorized vehicles due to snow and ice.

Plowing is complete on the west side of Sun Road from Lake McDonald Lodge to about one mile past The Loop, but parts of the road are covered with ice. Parking remains at the Lodge until the ice melts out. There are usually no restrictions on hikers and bicyclists in effect over the weekend, but that is always subject to change.

Starting Monday, April 19, spring construction starts on the west side of the Sun Road, with crews working between Logan Creek Pit and the West Tunnel. Construction, plowing and weather will determine where vehicle and hiker/biker access will be allowed.

The Camas Road has been plowed, but a few miles of the road surface are covered with ice. The road remains closed to motor vehicles at this time.

Glacier National Park remains open year round for various recreational opportunities, but weather and snow conditions dictate when park roads are open for vehicle access.

April 17 through 25 is National Park Week, and entrance fees are waived all week. National Park Week, a program of the National Park Service, is an opportunity to engage families and communities in America’s Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating close to home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Through April, the Apgar Visitor Center is open weekends only from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the week, visitors can stop at park headquarters in West Glacier for information and backcountry permits. Headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can also phone 406-888-7800 for general park information, including the specific location of hiker/bicycle closures.

Current road conditions for Glacier National Park are available by calling 511, the Montana Department of Transportation Traveler Information System. If a phone does not support 511, call 1-800-226-7623. Both numbers are toll-free. Select “Glacier Park Tourist Information” from the main menu to hear Glacier’s road report. An interactive map showing current vehicle access points is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm.

Glacier National Park
Date: April 22, 2010
Contact: Amy Vanderbilt, 406 888-5838
Contact: Wade Muehlhof, 406 888-7895

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Officials at Glacier National Park report more roads are opening this week, allowing greater access for visitors during the second weekend of National Park Week. Entrance fees are waived through April 25, 2010. National Park Week, a program of the National Park Service, is an opportunity to engage families and communities in America’s Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating close-to-home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.

On the park’s west side, Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) is expected to be open to vehicles 16 miles to the Avalanche Campground area by mid-day Thursday. Sun Road is open 6 miles to Rising Sun on the east side. Spring construction is underway on the west side of the Sun Road, with crews working between the Logan Creek area and the West Tunnel.

Construction, plowing and weather will determine where vehicle and hiker/biker access will be allowed on Sun Road during the week. Currently the restriction for hikers and bicyclists is just below Logan Creek on the west side, and at Wild Goose Island on the east side. There are usually no restrictions on hikers and bicyclists in effect over the weekend or after work hours, but that is always subject to change.

On the park’s west side, both the Camas Road and the Quarter Circle Bridge Road are now open. Kintla Road is open from Polebridge to Big Prairie. Vehicles can access the Rocky Point Trail Head on the Inside North Fork Road, but the Road is closed to vehicles from the Fish Creek gate to Polebridge.

On the east side of the park, the Two Medicine Road and Many Glacier Road are currently open to vehicle traffic. All other park roads remain closed to motorized vehicles due to snow and ice.

Glacier National Park remains open year round for various recreational opportunities and camp grounds and concessions will start opening in the upcoming weeks. Schedules are available on Glacier’s website in under News Releases: http://www.nps.gov/glac/parknews/newsreleases.htm.

Through April, the Apgar Visitor Center is open weekends only from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the week, visitors can stop at park headquarters in West Glacier for information and backcountry permits. Headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can also phone 406-888-7800 for general park information, including the specific location of hiker/bicycle closures.

Current road conditions for Glacier National Park are available by calling 511, the Montana Department of Transportation Traveler Information System. If a phone does not support 511, call 1-800-226-7623. Both numbers are toll-free. Select “Glacier Park Tourist Information” from the main menu to hear Glacier’s road report. An interactive map showing current vehicle access points is available online at: http://www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm.