Logan Pass to open this weekend

Motor vehicles traveling on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road should be able to access Logan Pass by this weekend, Park spokeswoman Denise Germann said Monday.

Plow crews were set back by more than a week after snow, rocks and other debris came down on the Sun Road during the June 17-19 rain and snow storm event. This June was the fourth wettest on record for the Flathead Valley, with about 3.4 inches above normal.

Glacier Park’s high country saw about 36 inches of snow, and at least 24 snow slides hit the west side of the Sun Road. Parts of the Park received 4 to 8 inches of rain.

Crews spent most of last week clearing the debris and finished up plowing out deep snow at the Big Drift, just east of Logan Pass.

The Park ran its free shuttle service as far as The Loop last week and over the weekend so visitors could see some high country without having to hike or ride a bicycle. However, it rained most of the weekend.

The weather should be much better this week, with highs approaching 90. The free shuttle service will run the full 50-mile length of the Sun Road once Logan Pass is opened up to motor vehicles. Hiker and biker access is restricted on the east side because of construction.