Glacier National Park opens a snowy Logan Pass to vehicle traffic

With a brisk breeze, temperatures in the 30s and a fresh dusting of snow, Logan Pass opened to motor vehicles late Thursday night. Jason Mills, a teacher from West Glacier was one of the first people to ski Logan Pass Friday morning — though others, having heard the road had opened, had come up late Thursday to carve some turns.

“I’m not the first,” he remarked, looking at the tracks in the snow.

There’s plenty of snow for skiing at the moment — with rock-free turns well up into Mount Clements and the peaks beyond.

That will change rapidly, however. Temperatures could be pushing 90 by the end of next week.

It was Bernie Boettcher’s first time at Logan Pass and he was duly impressed.

“It’s incredible,” the Colorado resident, who has seen his fair share of mountains, said.

Traffic was light about 7 a.m., but by 10 a.m. it was nearly bumper-to-bumper to the pass and the parking lot was full.

Glacier promises to see a busy summer. It’s the 100th anniversary of the Park Service and national radio, television and Internet campaigns are all promoting national parks and the public is responding — Glacier set an attendance record in May and will likely set another June.

Motorists are urged to use caution and enjoy the drive. Several sections of highway have concrete barriers instead of guardwalls, which makes the already narrow road narrower yet.

Bicyclists are also reminded that bicycle safety restrictions on the Going-to-the-Sun-Road are now in effect and remain in effect through Labor Day. Bicycles are prohibited between Apgar Campground and Sprague Creek Campground from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, bicycles are prohibited eastbound — uphill — between Logan Creek and Logan Pass from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Though on Friday, there were several cyclists who were chugging up the highway.

Glacier’s free shuttle service, which has several stops at popular trailheads on the Sun Road and at Logan Pass, begins July 1.

The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is currently 100 percent covered in snow and the Highline Trail remains closed to Granite Park. 

The Highline generally opens in July.

This year’s opening was a week later than last year. Last year the road opened June 11.