Roads now open to Kintla, Bowman lakes

Glacier National Park plow crews should reach Logan Pass by week’s end, but progress on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has been slowed by crew training.

West-side plows were pushing through the Rimrocks area just below the pass by late last week, but east-side crews were still working near Siyeh Bend, more than a mile from Logan Pass.

Park officials said last week that for safety reasons, Logan Pass will not be opened to visitors until the Big Drift and the east side of the Sun Road are plowed out — even if the pass area itself has been plowed out.

The weather for the most part this spring has been conducive to snowplowing. Because of avalanche concerns, plow crews don’t work in the high country when fog or heavy rain reduces visibility. The weather for the past few weeks has been relatively sunny, with afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

This week’s forecast calls for a wetter regime overall, with showers in the mountains. A lot of snow remains in the high country, with a snowpack about 140 to 160 percent of average.

Meanwhile, more secondary roads have opened in Glacier Park. The Inside North Fork Road to Kintla Lake and the road to Bowman Lake are now open.

All other secondary roads in the Park are open except for the Cut Bank Campground road. Visitors can access that area by parking at the Park entrance gate.