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Glacier Announces Fall Changes for Logan Pass Access

Last day to access pass by vehicle from the east side is Sept. 21

By Beacon staff

The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, Sept. 21, after which crews will head into accelerated fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, Sept.22. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the west side of the park through Sunday, Oct. 19, weather permitting.

Fall access to east-side hiking trails between the St. Mary Campground and Logan Pass will be limited during road rehabilitation activity beginning Monday, Sept. 22.

Hikers wanting to hike any of the trails that are accessed, or may be an exit point, along the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, are highly encouraged to contact the park at 406-888-7800 before departing.

The trails that are affected include Siyeh Pass, Barring Basin, Piegan Pass, Otokomi, St. Mary Falls/Barring Falls/Virginia Falls, Gunsight and Sperry Trails.

For more information on status of trails and access, please contact the park or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.

Access to some backcountry campsites on the east side of the park will also be affected. All backcountry campers are required to have a permit from the park’s backcountry office for overnight stays. All backcountry permits must be obtained from the Apgar Permit Center at this time of the year. For more information on backcountry camping and trail access, please contact the park at 888-7800 or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac.

Times and locations for boat inspections for boats launching in Glacier National Park are changing. Inspections for the west side of the park will be conducted at the Apgar Backcountry Office, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through the end of October. Boat inspections for the east side of the park, Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas, are by appointment only. Appointments are available by contacting the park at 406-888-7800.

The Logan Pass Visitor Center will be open through this Sunday, Sept. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Apgar Visitor Center and the St. Mary Visitor Center are open through Oct. 5, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Visitors to the Many Glacier area of the park should be aware that the replacement of the Swiftcurrent Bridge will begin shortly after the Many Glacier Hotel closes for the season on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Visitors can expect short delays beginning Sept. 26. As of Sept. 29 there will be no vehicle or pedestrian traffic as the bridge is replaced. It is anticipated that the work to replace the bridge will continue through mid-November. Access to Cracker Lake and the Piegan Trail will be through the Grinell Picnic Area, at the Grinell Trailhead. The Swiftcurrent Bridge is located at the foot of Swiftcurrent Lake and provides vehicle and pedestrian access to the Many Glacier Hotel Historic District, and the Many Glacier Hotel.

Autumn visitors to Glacier National Park will find fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and changing vegetation colors. Area residents and visitors are reminded that the park is open year-round and park recreational opportunities can be found during all seasons.

For additional park information, visit the park’s website http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800. More information and images of the park can be also be located by visiting Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNPS.