Glacier's hiker-biker shuttle starts up Saturday

Glacier Park’s spring hiker-biker shuttle will run on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning May 12, and will continue until the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens through Logan Pass to vehicles. It will also run on May 28, Memorial Day. The shuttle will depart from the Apgar Visitor Center and drop off at both Lake McDonald Lodge and Avalanche Creek, once Avalanche opens to vehicles.

The shuttle helps ease parking issues at the Lodge and at Avalanche.

Glacier Park plows were working in the Road Camp area as of presstime, about three miles above the Loop.

When plows aren’t working, hikers and bikers are allowed to travel the road, though in the higher terrain, the Park cautions that there is avalanche danger, particularly later in the day when the sun hits the snowpack. When plows are working, hiker-biker access is to Logan Creek.

Snow depths have been running about 15 feet or more in the higher terrain.

On the east side, crews are plowing the Sun Road above Rising Sun. The Sun Road is open to Rising Sun for vehicle use. On the west side, it’s open to Lake McDonald Lodge. The Camas Road is open to vehicles and seven miles of the Inside North Fork Road north of Polebridge are now open.

Secondary roads on the east side remained closed as of presstime, as the Park is still working on turning on utilities and letting the snow melt a bit more. Drifts in Two Medicine are 15 feet or more.

Meanwhile, construction has started on the West Side, the North lake McDonald Road is under construction and is being rebuilt from the Sun Road to the bridge. It’s closed to bikers and hikers while work is being done.

Also, expect work on turnouts from the west entrance to Avalanche this summer. Many turnouts are closed due to reconstruction. Construction on the west entrance is also slated for this summer as well.

People can expect up to 30 minute delays. The east side isn’t slated for any construction this summer.