2010 Going-to-the-Sun Highway/GNP Road Status Updates

Regional discussion and conditions reports for the Northern Rockies. Please post partners requests and trip plans in the Northern Rockies Climbing Partners section.
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FlatheadNative

 
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More snow in Glacier!

by FlatheadNative » Sat May 01, 2010 6:52 am

Glacier National park got covered with another thick blanket of snow this week. Reports state that there was over 20 inches on the eastside of the Continental Divide.

In the Swan Range reports of 42 inches of new snow with a moisture equivalent of 5 inches of rain is reported.

This is good news for Montana's forests and only delays entrance into the mountains for a few more days while it all melts off.

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FlatheadNative

 
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Part GTTS to be resurfaced

by FlatheadNative » Wed May 05, 2010 2:20 pm

From Daily Interlake May 5, 2010

Glacier National Park officials have announced plans to repave about 14.5 miles of Going-to-the-Sun Road from Apgar to the Avalanche Campground this month.

“Much of this stretch of road is in poor condition, and Federal Highway Administration and National Park Service engineers determined the overlay is needed as soon as possible to help prevent further deterioration and preserve the road until it is reconstructed later as part of the multiyear Sun Road rehabilitation project,” a park press release states.

The work is scheduled for Monday, May 17, through Saturday, June 5, weather conditions permitting.

A one-and-a-half inch overlay of asphalt will be applied to the road, with efforts made to mitigate impacts on visitors, who should expect 15- to 30-minute delay along the work zone.

To maximize visitor access during the three-day Memorial Day weekend, no work will take place between May 29 and May 31. Work will end at 5 p.m. to accommodate vehicle traffic to Lake McDonald for the annual Spring for Glacier event.

The section of road was last resurfaced in 1991.

According to park superintendent Chas Cartwright, “The overlay is a temporary fix until the road is again reconstructed as part of the ongoing Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation project. That work is anticipated, depending on a number of variables including funding, in 2015-2016.”

The project will cost $1 million to $3 million and is being completed by HK Contractors Inc.

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FlatheadNative

 
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Park Roads Update

by FlatheadNative » Wed May 05, 2010 2:21 pm

From the Daily Interlake May 5

Recent foul weather has delayed Going-to-the-Sun Road reconstruction in Glacier National Park, and it has caused problems on Flathead National Forest roads.

Rain and snow last week halted construction on Sun Road.

In an effort to get back on schedule, HK Contractors has arranged to work this Saturday and Sunday, if the weather permits.

That will put a restriction on hiking and biking beyond the Logan Creek area, which is about three miles past the Avalanche Campground area.

More heavy snow was expected in Glacier Park late Tuesday. A winter storm warning was issued, with 6 to 12 inches of snow predicted and up to 14 inches on the highest peaks, according to the National Weather Service.

Park officials remind visitors that about 20 miles of Sun Road will remain open on the park’s west side, and other park roads are open. The Apgar Campground opens on Friday, along with privately owned businesses in Apgar Village.

Recent snow and rain on the Flathead National Forest also prompted some temporary closures of saturated roads.

The Eastside Hungry Horse Reservoir Road will be closed through May 10 and Forest Road 5285, which provides access to the Cedar Flats area north of Columbia Falls, will be closed through May 14.

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FlatheadNative

 
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by FlatheadNative » Fri Jun 04, 2010 3:39 pm

More awesome photos from the National Park Service of plowing GTTS

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Plowing from the Big Bend towards Logan Pass. That is Reynolds Mountain in the background.

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Clearing a rotary plow with Mount Oberlin in the background.

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Clear snow above the Triple Arches.

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FlatheadNative

 
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2010 Logan Pass Opening Date

by FlatheadNative » Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:53 pm

From Great Falls Tribune

2010 Logan Pass Opening Date
Glacier National Park officials plan to open the Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass to motorized vehicles Thursday at noon.

Visitors should use caution when in the Logan Pass area because snow banks reach as high as 10 feet there. Many trails are still snow covered.
There is currently no potable water available at Logan Pass and only portable toilets are available at this time.


With the road open, the Logan Pass Visitor Center will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. including the Glacier Association bookstore.


The popular Highline trail is currently closed from Logan Pass to the Haystack Butte saddle; it is projected to open for the season on the weekend of July 10 after snow hazards are “treaded” by park personnel and volunteers.

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Chewy

 
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by Chewy » Fri Jun 25, 2010 1:56 am

The pass is open :D . It was a fine sunny day till a thunderboomer showed up in the late afternoon. Lots of snow still up there.

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