Hikers and bikers should be able to go to Logan Pass this weekend

Glacier National Park announced Friday that the full length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to hikers and bikers when crews aren’t working.

Since crews typically don’t work on weekends, that means folks should be able to hike and bike to Logan Pass this weekend. 

But expect some brisk weather. It’s expected to be showery Saturday with highs in the 40s at Logan Pass, National Weather Service Meteorologist Travis Booth said. Sunday should be a little better, but Monday and Tuesday really get wet, with cold rain at lower elevations and 1 to 3 inches of snow above 6,000 feet in Glacier and even more expected in the mountains south of the park, where upwards of a foot of snow could fall. 

Rain amounts will range from a half-inch at lower elevations to an inch above 6,000 feet. 

The moisture is needed, however, as July typically sees blocking high pressure in the region, which limits rainfall. 

A rainy June helps keep the summer wildfire season in check. 

The West is also leaving an El Nino weather pattern and are now in La Nina. El Nino is warm Pacific Ocean currents while La Nina results in cooler ocean currents. La Nina winters are typically colder and snowier on average, which would be welcome, since last year’s lack of snow saw many ski resorts open later than usual and one near Choteau didn’t open at all.