For a few weeks, folks can drive Sun Road with no reservation
The North Camas Fire as seen from the Loop Monday night. The fire isn't very big, but it does put on a show if conditions are right. (Photo courtesy of Scott Crandell)
By CHRIS PETERSON
Hungry Horse News
Monday, Sept. 12 marks the first day that folks can drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road without a reservation. The same goes for the Polebridge Entrance to the park.
Glacier can, however, still close entrances if they become overcrowded.
The Many Glacier Valley, for example, routinely closed when parking was full this summer. The closure typically lasted a few hours each day.
Reservations have been required to drive the Sun Road since Memorial Day weekend in an effort to stem overcrowding on the highway.
Even with reservations, the line to get into Glacier over the Labor Day weekend extended a good mile up Highway 2 to get into the West Entrance.
Access to Logan Pass from the west side will be short-lived this year.
On Oct. 1, the west side will close for the season from the four-way intersection at Apgar to Logan Pass due to the Lake McDonald utilities project and road crew operations. On the east side, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is scheduled to remain open from St. Mary to Logan Pass until Sunday, Oct. 16 at midnight, unless winter weather forces an earlier closure. There will be no access to potable water at Logan Pass starting Sept. 11.
Hiker/biker access is permitted on the road closure west of Logan Pass to North McDonald Road while the road crew is not working. A daily road crew closure will be in place while crews are working. Visitors are advised the return to Logan Pass consists of steep up-hill terrain.
Park shuttles will remain in operation until Sept. 18 with reduced services. This week shuttle service will run from 9 am to 5 pm daily with all stops in service. Wait times may be longer than 20 minutes as there are fewer shuttles on the road. Visitors planning to use the shuttle should check the park’s shuttle page on its website for additional details.
Some frontcountry campgrounds have already closed and others will close this week. Check the park’s website for more information.
St. Mary and Apgar remain open in a primitive status all year long, weather provided.
As far as boating is concerned, Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake, and Kintla Lake will be the only vehicle accessible bodies of water open to watercraft in the park after Sept. 30.
Boat inspection station hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at Lake McDonald, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Polebridge through Sept. 30.
Beginning Oct. 1, inspection hours will change to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both Lake McDonald and Polebridge. All park waters are closed to watercraft beginning Nov. 1.