Weather, avalanches slow plowing on Sun Road
<p>Crews clear snow from Oberlin Bend on the Going-to-the-Sun Road May 30 in Glacier National Park.</p>
Glacier National Park snow plowing crews continue to clear the Going-to-the-Sun Road after recent spring storms brought 16 new inches of snow, lots of rain, wind and fog in the past week.
Plowing was slowed, and in some cases stopped last week, due to inclement weather including blowing snow and low visibility. Crews worked Saturday, but encountered rain and fog, limiting their work activities. A strong storm system with excessive rainfall is predicted this week which may create additional hazards and delays.
Several new snow slides, ranging from 8 to 15 feet deep, on the west side of Logan Pass created additional work to replow the areas, and additional safety concerns for the crews. Two avalanches slid across the road at the end of a work day last week, one at Triple Arches and one in the Slopes, creating a challenging situation to clear the area for the crew to return to park headquarters.
The east-side crew is working toward the Big Drift, encountering 25 to 30 feet deep snow. They will continue to plow through the drift this week, eventually meeting the west-side crew as they pioneer the Big Drift from the west. The west-side crew reached the Logan Pass Parking Lot late last week, finding 6-8 foot drifts and building eaves covered in snow.
Crews continue working hard to clear snow and debris along the road. There is additional debris, rocks and trees, with the snow slides and rain. Work to clean snow on the entire width of the road needs to be completed, as well as installation of guard rails once snow is removed and ice is melted. At the Logan Pass Visitor Center snow will be plowed and moved in the parking lot, and then snow from around the building needs to be cleared and moved. Much of the final work will be completed with hand shovels.
The projected date for vehicle access to Logan Pass remains mid-June, but with recent delays prompted by inclement weather, access may be later. Weekend and overtime work is taking place to support the projected date.
Currently, 29 miles of the road are open to vehicle travel. Visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche on the west side, and 13.5 miles from the St. Mary Entrance to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side.