The night closure on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park has been lifted as the Reynolds Creek Fire continues to burn within its perimeter, according to park officials.
All 52 miles of the Sun Road are now open, though visitors will not be able to stop and park along the Reynolds Creek Fire area, which is burning on the east side. Firefighters and equipment will be staged along the road as crews continue to mop up, patrol, and monitor the fire.
Visitors may see smoke and it could reduce visibility, so the park advises visitors to drive slowly within the fire area on the Sun Road. Active fire may also be visible from the road, and visitors should watch for debris such as rocks, tree limbs, and fire-weakened trees.
Nearly 500 hazardous trees have been removed from the along the roadway. Fallen debris should be avoided and reported to a ranger or the closest visitor center; visitors should not try to remove debris or trees from the road.
The park shuttle service will operate as normal, although there will be no shuttle stops in the fire area. The only shuttle stops on the east side at this time will be Rising Sun, Jackson Glacier Overlook, and Siyeh Bend.
Bicycle travel is now permitted on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The Glacier Boat Company is offering daily boat tours at Rising Sun. The Rising Sun Camp Store operated by Glacier National Park Lodges is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The Rising Sun Motor Inn and the Two Dog Flats Grill will remain closed at this time.
The Rising Sun Campground is anticipated to be closed most of the season.
The Gunsight Pass Trail and the Gunsight Lake Backcountry Campground are open. The St. Mary Lake Trail, and access to St Mary, Virginia and Baring Falls are still closed. The Otokomi Lake Trail is also closed. All trails within the fire perimeter are closed. Please check the on-line trail status information at http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hikingthetrails.htm or ask a park ranger at one of the park’s visitor centers.
Road rehabilitation work on the Going-to-the-Sun is on-going, and visitors may encounter delays.