By Francis Xavier | June 15, 2020 5:10 pm Glacier National Park plow crews are working hard to open the Going-to-the-Sun Road after a massive snow accumulation over the winter. When crews reach this dangerous location, they have the daunting task of clearing away snow drifts that are 40 to 80 feet deep annually, according to the National Park Service. Going to the Sun Road, which direction? The majority of the East-West route is on the inside next to rock walls, rather than closer to the road’s edge. "We are still open to negotiating with the county, and using them as a provider is certainly not off the table.". … Plowing Going-to-the-Sun Road is a monumental challenge each year. 9 Ways to Tell the Difference. As of this writing, the park has not yet shared any photos from Big Drift this year. But scientists estimate the famed ice masses and snowfields of Glacier National Park will have mostly disappeared by 2030. The park is encouraging visitors next season to avoid the area. Crews use several types of machinery to remove snow on the Going-to-Sun-Road beginning in April. This photo below from June 2016 shows how deep the snow can be at Big Drift. It takes months to fully clear winter's snow at the park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the last big hurdle is an area known as Big Drift. What about Looking Glass road #49? The park is encouraging visitors to frequent other areas of the park when the road is open in an effort to reduce congestion. Best Sunset/Sunrise views in Glacier. Park spokeswoman Lauren Alley says it takes plow crews about three months to plow up … At an elevation of 6,646 feet, Logan Pass is the highest point on the 50-mile-long road. Crews at Glacier National Park have reached an area of the Going-to-the-Sun Road known as Big Drift. The park says it expects to release its plan to continue a shuttle service in the next few months. County officials voted last week to end the 12-year long relationship with the park. Which City Is the Worst for Fall Allergies This Year? GLACIER NATIONAL PARK – It’s a sure sign of spring — plowing in Glacier National park began Wednesday as crews work to open Going-to-the-Sun Road for the summer. In Glacier National Park in Montana, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is still not open due to on-going snow removal efforts slowed because of such a heavy snowfall this past winter. GLACIER – Spring plowing has begun in Glacier National Park, according to a Wednesday press release. For information on road closures please see our Road Status webpage. The Daily Inter Lake reported that the seasonal drift is one of the biggest plowing challenges for crews as it buries a stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road under up to 80 feet of snow blocking access. (60 KB pdf) Plowing. The two-lane road is windy and narrow, taking you through terrains ranging from tundra to forests and steep mountains of sheer rock. Answer 1 of 37: The following notice about Going to the Sun Road preservation projects this year AND Spring of 2020 was posted by the park quite a long time ago this Winter. The project will involve culvert replacement, drainage repairs and resurfacing along many Glacier Road. There is no set date for the road to open each summer. Crews are plowing snow on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, past Lake McDonald Lodge. Glacier National Park has photos documenting their massive snow-clearing effort at this link. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a splendid two-lane mountain highway in the Glacier National Park of Montana. Photo courtesy of Glacier National Park A grizzly bear on Going-to-the-Sun Road. The weeping wall on Glacier Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road. Sn They plan to begin plowing the park's west side on April 1. At the height of 6,646 feet (2,026 m), it traverses the Continental Divide via Logan Pass, which is Flathead County is canceling its decade old shuttle service in Glacier National Park. Snowfall depth is heaviest at Big Drift because wind patterns on both sides of the road help deposit snow in the area. Typically the road is fully open until the third Monday of October, but that can change due to weather conditions at any point. Going-To-The-Sun Road Shuttle Will Operate In 2020, Glacier Officials Say, Flathead County Cancels Glacier Park Shuttles Amid Rising Costs, Road Construction Expected To Bring Delays To Glacier Park's Many Glacier Area, Joe Giersch, Aquatic Entomologist / USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Climate Change Impacts Push Glacier Park Stone Flies To 'Threatened' Status, Sperry Chalet Reconstruction Nears Completion. Recently searched locations will be displayed if there is no search query. Information Updated at 10:55AM on July 7, 2020 Going-to-the-Sun Road Plowing Information Plowing crews working on finishing work on the Going-to-the-Sun Road installing guard rails, in preparation for opening later this month. PPS: Yesterday, it was reported by KAJ that plowing in the park is going so well that the road is expected to open on time, meaning we should be able to cruise the Going-to-the-Sun Road in its entirety on Friday, June 20 (weather dependent). These are private tours (your party only), hotel pick up and drop off included, you call the stops, we take your photos for you, And we offer complimentary snacks and drinks. Democratic Republic of the Congo | Français, State of Vatican City (Holy See) | Italiano, wind patterns on both sides of the road help deposit snow in the area, late June or early July before the entire road is opened up. A two-year-long road construction project will bring significant delays in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park beginning in the spring. While the Going-to-the-Sun Road is very safe and has proper barriers, more timid drivers may want to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road from East (St. Mary) to West. … At a Glance. Park spokeswoman Lauren Alley says it takes plow crews about three months to plow up to Logan Pass and install hundreds of guard rails. And with the recent cold weather and terrible conditions still on-going, this year is likely to break the current record for latest opening, which is 2011 ( July 13th). Working on the Slopes Below Road Camp I am pretty sure the most popular question for Glacier National Park is when will the Going to the Sun Road open each year. While there is no ski, snowshoe, hiking or bicycle access beyond the lodge at this time, there is hiker/biker access to Rising Sun on the east side of the road. The road will close April 1 through mid-May next year and again in late September. Related: Plowing Logan Pass In Glacier National Park Looks Terrifying [Photo Tour] The undertaking requires clearing a portion of Logan Pass that is barely two lanes in the summer– not to mention the 2,000 foot drop on the south side of the road. However, the park is considering other options, though it’s not saying what they might me. © Copyright TWC Product and Technology LLC 2014, 2020, China Tests Engine that Can Go Anyplace on Earth in 2 Hours, Gut-Wrenching Reason Nova Scotia Sends Christmas Tree to Boston Each Year, Another Mystery Monolith Pops Up in Romania After Utah Sculpture Disappears, Cold or Flu? With preservation tasks beginning this year, Going-to-the-Sun Road will not open to Logan Pass until June 22, and not until June 22 in 2020, if necessary. Closing portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road is also weather dependent. Take control of your data. To view more plowing photos, visit the Glacier National Park Flickr page. Spokesperson Gina Kerzman says Glacier is assessing how much it will cost to run the service next season. The full length of Going-to-the-Sun Road … Crews at Glacier National Park have reached an area of the Going-to-the-Sun Road known as Big Drift. 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