Park's winter plowing plans changing

Glacier National Park plans to plow some roads deeper into the winter season than in years past.

The Park typically closed the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Lake McDonald Lodge as soon as the first permanent snows hit, but this year crews cleared the road up to Avalanche Creek well into November, despite significant snowstorms.

The Camas Road was also plowed all November and December and should remain open until Dec. 31.

The idea is to keep some roads open longer as conditions, weather and staffing permit, Park spokeswoman Denise Germann said.

The Park has guidelines for each road in its system. For example, The Sun Road to Avalanche Creek could be kept open as late as Dec. 15, according to the Park’s road opening and closing directive. The Camas Road could remain open until Dec. 31 as conditions permit under the directive.

On the east side, Many Glacier Road is targeted to stay open until the third weekend in November, as is Two Medicine Road, but this year heavy snows closed both roads earlier. In spring, Both roads don’t reopen until the third weekend in April for wildlife security.

Park roads in the North Fork have a more vague directive. The Inside North Fork Road’s opening and closing is largely weather dependent, as it isn’t plowed and is allowed to melt out in the spring.