Page 13 - Flathead Beacon // 6.25.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS JUNE 25, 2014 | 13
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Avalanche debris near Triple Arches on the Going-to-the-Sun Road on June 22. COURTESY PHOTO
Avalanches Sweep Over Sun Road, Hampering Plow Efforts
Snow slides up to 200-feet long and 15- feet deep hit Glacier Park’s main road
By BEACON STAFF
Glacier National Park snow plow- ing crews continue to clear the Going- to-the-Sun Road after a recent storm brought heavy rain and at least 36 inch- es of new snow near the Continental Di- vide. Plowing was slowed, and in some cases stopped last week, due to inclem- ent weather and low visibility, park offi- cials say.
West-side plowing activities re- sumed June 22 and road crews punched through 16 new snow slides to The Slopes area on the Sun Road. At least 24 new snow slides on the road were observed by park staff, with more anticipated to be encountered as snow plowing prog- ress continues, spokesperson Denise Germann said.
Snow plowing continues this week with crews working on the west and east side of the park. Officials originally hoped to open the west side of the Sun Road by June 20, but an opening date is yet to be determined as crews play catchup.
Road crews have encountered snow slides up to 200-feet long and 15-feet deep on the road. In addition to snow re-
moval, crews will work to clear the road of rock, mud, and wood debris. Many areas of the road that were once clear of snow now need to be plowed again. A snow slide destroyed at least eight segments of a guardrail near Haystack Creek.
Limited shuttle service on the west side of the park is anticipated to be- gin June 26 in an effort to allow for in- creased visitor access of the Sun Road. Shuttle service will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week begin- ning June 26. Shuttles will depart from the Apgar Visitor Center and travel di- rectly to The Loop, with service avail- able approximately every 20 minutes. No additional stops will be available be- tween the Apgar Visitor Center and The Loop. Visitors must board shuttles at the Apgar Visitor Center if they wish to travel to the Loop by shuttle. No shuttle service will be available on the east side of the park at this time.
Additional west-side shuttle stops may be available beginning July 1. Full shuttle service is not anticipated to be- gin until access to Logan Pass is avail- able.
On the west side of the park, the Sun Road is currently open to vehicle travel from the West Entrance to Avalanche Creek. Hiker-biker access is available from Avalanche to the Loop while road crews are working.
For current hiker-biker access re- strictions please visit the park’s road
status webpage at http://home.nps.gov/ applications/glac/roadstatus/roadsta- tus.cfm. Hikers and bikers should al- ways be alert for possible falling rock and avalanche danger.
Water levels appear to have stabi- lized across the park, decreasing con- cerns of flooding. The St. Mary Camp- ground is now open with limited sites available. Access to Kintla Lake via the Inside North Fork Road is available. The Goat Haunt area is now open and boat tours are operating regularly. Park per- sonnel continue to monitor other areas of the park as temperatures rise and snowmelt continues.
Visitors are reminded to use cau- tion around water and snow. Streams and rivers in the park are cold, high, and fast moving. Hikers visiting some of the higher elevations in the park should ex- pect snow, and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
“It is important to know the terrain you are about to hike or climb, and carry the appropriate equipment,” Germann said.
Visitors should know how to travel in such challenging conditions, including knowing how to use crampons and an ice axe, she said. It is also recommended to have extra clothing, appropriate maps, first-aid kit, water, and food.
“Always communicate to someone
your planned route of travel and your
expected time of return,” Germann said.
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