Access to Logan Pass available tonight

Glacier National Park officials announced today that the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road will open to vehicle travel later this evening.

Park road crews have finished snow removal, debris clean-up work, guard rail installation and facility preparation, as well assessing snow conditions.

The Logan Pass Visitor Center is expected to open tomorrow morning, July 3. The visitor center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., including a bookstore managed by the Glacier National Park Conservancy. Restroom facilities and potable water at Logan Pass will be available.

Visitors are advised to be aware of cold weather up on Logan Pass, the danger of snow walls along the Sun Road and hazardous snow bridges near the Big Drift. Standing or walking on snow along the road is strongly discouraged.

Trails near Logan Pass are covered in snow, and visitors are advised to exercise caution when hiking. Be aware of unseen holes in the snow and snow bridges and avoid crossing steep, snow-covered slopes where a fall could be disastrous. Visitors should have the appropriate equipment and skills if hiking on snow.

The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is closed due to snow conditions. Travel from Hidden Lake Overlook to Hidden Lake is not recommended due to snow conditions. The current status of Park trails can be found online at www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.

The Park’s free shuttle system is expected to begin normal operations on the west side beginning tomorrow, July 3. Limited east-side shuttle service also will begin tomorrow. East-side shuttle stop locations will vary throughout the summer due to road construction.

The transit system provides two-way service along the Sun Road between the Apgar Visitor Center and St. Mary Visitor Center. Shuttles operate seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last shuttle departs from Logan Pass at 7 p.m. Buses run every 30 minutes on the west side and every 40 to 60 minutes on the east side.

Three west-side express shuttles are available from 7 a.m. to approximately 7:40 a.m., offering direct travel from the Apgar Visitor Center to Logan Pass without intermediate stops. The park’s shuttle system is scheduled to operate through Sept. 7. For more information on the shuttle system, visit online at www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm.

Rehabilitation work on the Sun Road will continue this year on the east side between Siyeh Bend and Rising Sun. Visitors are advised to use caution when traveling this nine-mile stretch of roadway as it will have a rough, gravel surface this summer and fall.

Visitors can expect 30-minute maximum traffic delays on the east side this summer and no delays on the west side. No construction delays are anticipated during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Sun Point is closed to all visitor traffic including picnicking, transit, restroom use and hiking due to road construction activity.

The opening of Logan Pass will mark the end of current hiker-biker access. Bicycles are prohibited between Apgar Campground and Sprague Creek Campground from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and eastbound (uphill) between Logan Creek and Logan Pass from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information on bicycle restrictions and average bicycle times, visit online at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/inforequest/inforequest3.cfm.

Large crowds are anticipated for the upcoming holiday weekend. Visitors should be prepared for extended wait times for visitor services. For current information on Park roads, weather conditions and visitor services visit online at www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call 406-888-7800.