Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 6.4.14
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6 | JUNE 4, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM
Glacier Park Prepares for Busy Summer
READER
An increasing number of services and sites
POLL
are opening as tourist season approaches
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
By BEACON STAFF
Should Flathead County Close Plow crews are ascending Going-to-the-Sun Road, clearing
Bigfork and Lakeside Green several feet of snow and preparing Glacier National Park for the
Box Sites?
upcoming summer season.
As of June 2, crews had cleared more than 16.5 miles of the
Sun Road on the west side. Visitors can drive from the west en-
trance to Avalanche, and 1 mile from the St. Mary Entrance to the
foot of St. Mary Lake. Hiker and biker access on the west side is
open to The Loop. There is no hiker-biker access on the east side A plow clears snow in Glacier National Park. PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
of the Sun Road at this time due to road rehabilitation work.
Park oicials hope the entire western stretch of the Sun Road
will be open to Logan Pass by the end of this month.
Restaurant opens June 28. For information on services being op-
The campgrounds that are open are Apgar, Fish Creek, erated by Xanterra Park & Resorts, visit www.glaciernational-
12% YES 88% NO Sprague Creek, Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake, Many Glacier and St. parklodges.com.
Mary.
The Glacier Park Boat Company is ofering trips and rentals
TOTAL VOTES: 192
Snow conditions still exist in many areas of the park and rec- at various locations. Rentals are available at Apgar and tours have
reationists are encouraged to prepare accordingly for adverse begun on Lake McDonald. Other sites that will open in the com-
conditions.
ing weeks include Many Glacier, Rising Sun and Two Medicine.
Are You Concerned About Some sites can be reserved through the National Recreation Visit www.glacierparkboats.com.
Reservation System or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Glacier Guides, Inc. is ofering day hikes and backpacking
Spring Flooding?
As summer draws near, the park’s concessions, including tours at various locations. Visit www.glacierguides.com.
lodging and shopping options, are opening for the season.
Swan Mountain Outitters is ofering horseback rides from
Granite Park Chalet is scheduled to open June 30, while the Apgar and Lake McDonald and will open at Many Glacier on June
Sperry Chalet opens July 10. The park’s two historic backcountry 14. Visit www.swanmountainoutitters.com/glacier.
chalets are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. A public Waterton Lake boat tours are being ofered from the Goat
reception with refreshments and cake will be held at the Glacier Haunt landing. Visit www.watertoncruise.com.
Outdoor Center in West Glacier on Aug. 20 at 2 p.m.
There are also several privately-owned facilities in Apgar Vil-
Another historic landmark celebrating its centennial, Lake lage that ofer lodging, dining, camping supplies, groceries, and
McDonald Lodge is already open and ofering dining and lodging gifts from May through much of September, some year round.
16% YES 84% NO opportunities. The lodge is also a popular launching point for the Sun Tours ofers road-based tours highlighting the Blackfeet
TOTAL VOTES: 91
Red Bus tours.
culture and history. The tours launch from East Glacier, Brown-
Many Glacier Hotel opens June 11. Swiftcurrent Campstore ing, St. Mary and West Glacier starting June 1. For more informa-
opens June 7 and the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn opens June 17. Ris- tion visit www.glaciersuntours.com.
ing Sun Motor Inn and Camp Store opens June 20. Jammer Joe’s
[email protected]
Should the Washington
Redskins Change Their Name?
Public Comments Focus on Shuttle System, Corridor Management
The National Park Service is review- perintendent Jef Mow said commenters A majority of the comments were from
ing the comments that streamed in about frequently indicated that they enjoyed tak- Kalispell, according to the NPS.
a possible management strategy for the ing the shuttle and hoped the park would Over the next year, the NPS will draft
busy Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor.
continue the service while inding a way to alternative plans that incorporate the
The park received 156 comments dur- make it inancially sustainable in the long public comments. The alternatives will be
ing the scoping period. An additional 283 term. Other commenters ofered propos- announced in late 2014 and a public com-
29YES 71NO comments were gathered at 10 open hous- als about appropriate road and trail use ment period will be launched prior to the
% %
TOTAL VOTES: 250
es held in communities surrounding Gla- and thoughts about how to better protect development of a draft environmental im-
cier.
the park’s natural and cultural resources. pact statement.
Most of the comments centered on the Many comments echoed frustration over For more information on the corridor
shuttle system, and most were generally the lack of parking at Logan Pass and other plan comments, visit www.parkplanning.
ONLINE POLL RESULTS ARE NOT SCIENTIFIC
supportive, according to park oicials. Su-
popular spots around the park.
nps.gov.
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