East side crews are plowing the Many Glacier Road and it remains closed. All other park roads, including Two Medicine, are also closed to vehicles.
“Vehicle traffic is not allowed on the Many Glacier Road until the third weekend in April, weather permitting, due to wintering wildlife,” said Acting Superintendent Stephanie Dubois.
Significant snow in the Many Glacier Valley means that crews are still working to clear the road, she said.
“This is also the case for the Sun Road. As is always true, weather will ultimately dictate when we can fully open the road and it is impossible for us to predict a date,” she said.
Crews are also installing guardrails, plowing parking lots, clearing culverts, repairing potholes and sweeping rocks.
“What is different this year, and what will be true throughout the Sun Road's Rehabilitation, is that we can definitely say that the alpine section will not open prior to mid-June,” Dubois said.
That's because of the Sun Road's Final Environmental Impact Statement, which grants rehabilitation contractors exclusive access to the alpine section of the road.
“It's important to remember that the park is open year-round and even with limited vehicle access, springtime offers numerous recreational opportunities in the park,” she said.
Visitors can hike or bike on the Sun Road beyond the vehicle gate closures. There are no hiker/biker closures on the Sun Road on Saturdays, Sundays, or Mondays. During these days, visitors can travel approximately 11 miles on plowed pavement. Visitors should note that hiker/biker closures are in effect Tuesday through Friday, with the closure point changing frequently based upon the road crew's specific location.
Through April, the Apgar Visitor Center is open weekends only from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. During the week, visitors can stop at park headquarters in West Glacier for information. Headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Visitors can call 406-888-7800 for general information on the park and hiker/biker closures.
Plows' Progress
Current road conditions for Glacier National Park are available by calling 5-1-1, the Montana Department of Transportation Traveler Information System. If your phone does not support 5-1-1, call 1-800-226-7623. Both numbers are toll-free. Select “Glacier Park Tourist Information” from the main menu to hear Glacier's road report. Conditions are also available at: www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm
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