Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 5.13.15

6 | MAY 13, 2015 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM Sun Road Plows Inch Closer
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to Logan Pass
As Glacier National Park plow crews reach Oberlin Bend, park officials project early opening
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
Summer in Northwest Montana is lit- erally around the bend.
On May 11, west side plow crews on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the- Sun Road were working just past Oberlin Bend, the final turn below the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Meanwhile, the east side crew was also within sight of Logan Pass having cleared the road to Lunch Creek and preparing to take on one of the biggest challenges of the season: clearing the “Big Drift” just below the continental divide.
While crews have been making rapid progress this spring, clearing the iconic 50-mile route that slices through the park, officials have been hesitant to say when automobiles may be able to reach the top. However, if everything goes according to plan, visitors will be able to access Logan Pass from the west side much earlier than last year, when the road opened on July 2.
Park officials said that it usually takes about two weeks after the east and west side plow crews meet for them to open the higher reaches of the road. Among the many chores that have to be completed after the road is cleared is the instillation of guardrails between The Loop and Logan Pass.
Due to ongoing roadwork on the east side of the road, the earliest visitors will be able to access the St. Mary to Logan Pass section of the road will be June 19.
While the road past the Lake McDon-
ald Lodge is still closed to vehicles, hikers
and bikers are able to use it on weekends
and evenings. For the latest on plowing
and the road status, visit www.nps.gov/
glac. www.flatheadbeacon.com. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Road crews install removable guard rails along Going-to-the-Sun Road near Haystack Creek on May 11.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Crews work to remove snow from Going-to-the-Sun Road near Oberlin Bend on May 11. More photos at
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