Wet, cold June impacting Park opening
Glacier National Park official say snow conditions, cool weather and debris from snow slides are challenging some spring-opening operations for trails, facilities and roads.
Snow accumulations in Glacier Park are above average this year, and spring snowmelt has varied at different locations.
A storm bringing heavy rain and cooler temperatures hit the Flathead June 16 and will continue through the next few of days. A winter storm warning has been issued in and around the Park for elevations above 6,500 feet, with predictions of snow accumulations of one to two feet. That includes Logan Pass, at an elevation of 6,646 feet.
Numerous Park trails are still snow-covered. Park staff report damage to trails and backcountry camp sites due to snow slides and large amounts of avalanche debris.
The Ptarmigan Falls Bridge in the Many Glacier area and the Twin Falls Bridge in the Two Medicine area have been removed due to winter damage and hazardous conditions. Temporary bridges are expected to be installed by early July.
The Iceberg Lake Trail is closed to stock use until permanent repairs to the Ptarmigan Falls Bridge are complete. Permanent repair work on both bridges is anticipated to begin this fall.
Extensive avalanche debris has impacted the Trout Lake Trail. Hikers are not encouraged to use this trail. A path around the debris can be made by those with adequate route-finding skills.
Regular Park trails may traverse steep and sometimes icy snowfields this time of year, and hikers are strongly advised to carry with them the appropriate equipment and skills to navigate such areas, or perhaps visit those areas once conditions improve.
For more information on Park trail conditions, visit online at www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm and report any hazardous or unusual trail or backcountry conditions by calling 406-888-7800.
Frozen and damaged sewer and water lines caused some delays in seasonal opening activities for utilities across the Park.
The Rising Sun and the Swiftcurrent cabin areas experienced damaged water lines. The Apgar and Lake McDonald areas experienced issues with frozen sewer lines, and some broken water lines. The Cutbank, Many Glacier and Two Medicine campgrounds experienced delayed openings due to abundant snow accumulation and slow snow melt.
A snow slide on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, about five miles west of Logan Pass took out about 20-30 feet of rock guardwall. Several new slide paths across the Sun Road have been encountered this spring, and there’s an increased need for snow and debris cleanup.
Snowplowing on the Sun Road continues near the Big Drift and Lunch Creek areas east of Logan Pass. Above-average snow accumulation and cool June temperatures have provided challenges for snow removal operations.
The snow depth at the Big Drift is estimated to be about 80 feet, larger than recent years. Once the snow is removed, a thick layer of ice on the road is anticipated.
In addition to snow removal, road crews are working to install more than 400 removable guard rails, sweep the road of rock debris and clear snow from Logan Pass Visitor Center facilities, including sidewalks and trails.
Park road crew employees have begun working overtime in an effort to accomplish snow removal goals in a safe and timely manner. Other Park employees are assisting in the hand work to remove snow around facilities.