he alpine section of the Going-to-the-Sun (Sun)
Road re-opened to vehicular traffic Friday afternoon (June 3) after having
been closed Thursday morning because of fog, snow, rock fall and icy road
conditions. The 12 miles of road between the Loop and Jackson Glacier
Overlook reopened at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Given the very nature of the historic Sun Road, travelers are always urged
to watch for falling rock, ice, debris and other potential hazards along
the road. Park visitors are urged not to park or stand under large snow
banks as 'tip outs' can occur where snow breaks away from roadside snow
banks and may collapse onto the roadway. Once the road is opened, road
personnel inspect the roadway early each morning and clear snow and rock
debris as quickly as possible.
Glacier National Park superintendent Mick Holm remarked, "Once the gates
swing open, the Sun Road is again open for 24-hour travel." He stressed,
"Occasional short-term closures are still possible due to icy road
conditions, rock falls and/or snow on the roadway. Should there be a need
for a short-term closure of the alpine section, every effort is made to
clear the road and reopen the entire roadway to through traffic as soon as
conditions permit."
At Logan Pass atop the Continental Divide (elevation 6,646 feet) the
visitor center, parking lot and rest rooms are open and visitor services
and facilities are now open throughout the park.
For current road conditions, weather and other park information, please
visit the park's web site at www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm or call park
headquarters at 406-888-7800.