Going-to-the-sun road opening

[777 Driver]

GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD OPENING

Going-to-the-Sun Road will be open for the season — your gateway to adventure awaits!


Starting Saturday, June 14, vehicles can travel from St. Mary to Logan Pass on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Then on Monday, June 16, the full stretch from West Glacier to Logan Pass opens for the season.

Take care,
Stu

[hastemaker]

Great we will be there July 17.

[MandK]

Just there 2 weeks ago. Rode our e bikes up to the hiker/biker closures from both ends. Was able to do it all except for a couple of miles in the middle and had the whole road (width) to ourselves.
As far as driving it in the truck, nope, wouldn’t do it. I’d take the shuttle and enjoy the scenery.
Enjoy it, it’s spectacular!

[777 Driver]

Although it's not from this year's snow removal, this video gives you an appreciation of the effort inecessary to clear the Going-totheSun-Road:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-9l1PojA6Q

Take care,
Stu

[MandK]

Living in the snow belts south of Buffalo, we’re no strangers to snow, or at least we weren’t before we started snow birding, but my hat’s off to those guys.

Photo of a plaque at The Loop I took on one of my bike rides. Hopefully it will be readable here.

[hamm2018]

In 2022, The Going to the Sun Road did not open until md-July. So, this is nice and early.

[Ohio44718]

Good news. Leaving Garden of the Gods tomorrow and heading to East Side Glacier KOA. This has been one beautiful trip so far. After hearing about Glacier, it has been on my bucket list.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by Ohio44718

Good news. Leaving Garden of the Gods tomorrow and heading to East Side Glacier KOA. This has been one beautiful trip so far. After hearing about Glacier, it has been on my bucket list.

If going in during the day, make sure to have your vehicle pass.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

[StevefromPA]

Just drove it yesterday. Entered from west side, had pass for timed entry.Not crowded until after Avalanche area, then very busy. The trip from the west portal can be pretty white knuckle as in the elevations most of the trip is on the outside near the cliff. Entering from the east most of the trip is next to the rocks. When on the outside some jerk drivers swing out from inside and make the trip not fun. Wife would not let me drive back from East to West when we were done so we drove 2.5 hours back to where we were staying in Kalispell.

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by StevefromPA

When on the outside some jerk drivers swing out from inside and make the trip not fun.

There's an interesting thread here: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f42/dual...ad-671033.html

It was started by a member who was considering driving the Going-To-The-Sun road with his Super Duty F350 Dually. He was happy that he fell under the vehicle length limit.

Perhaps you met him?

DW & I grew up about 90 miles south of Glacier and enjoyed numerous trips over Logan Pass in our childhood. Post retirement, we've taken that drive 12 times. We drove 10 times in a passenger car and rode the Red Bus Tour (https://www.glaciernationalparklodge...RoC974QAvD_BwE) twice.

The Red Bus Tour Buses have reserved parking at the pullouts and Logan Pass, which can be virtually unaccesible to private vehicles during peak travel times. And, you don't have to deal with drivers sharing your half of the road. IMHO, well worth the expense.

Take care,
Stu

[777 Driver]

Yesterday, the National Weather Service issued this Winter Storm Watch for the region that includes Glacier National Park:

Winter Storm Watch
6/18/2025 11:36 EDT through 6/22/2025 14:00 EDT

Winter Storm Watch issued June 18 at 9:36AM MDT until June 22 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
* WHAT...Heavy wet snow possible. Chance of moderate to major
impacts from snow is at least 50 percent. Total snow accumulations
up to a foot for elevations at and above 6000 feet and 4 inches
possible down to 4000 feet.

* WHERE...Glacier National Park higher elevations including
Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass, Marias Pass, Polebridge, and
backcountry of the Flathead National Forest.

* WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

* IMPACTS...For MODERATE impacts from snow, expect disruptions to
normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra
caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure
may occur. For MAJOR impacts from snow, expect considerable
disruptions to normal activities. Dangerous or impossible
traveling conditions. Avoid travel in the impacted areas if
possible. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure
may occur.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow loading on trees may produce tree falls
and create power outages.

Instructions
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Take care,
Stu

[777 Driver]

This photo was taken on August 29, 2024, a day and a half after the first snow of the coming fall, looking from the Logan Pass parking lot looking up to the visitor center with Clements Mountain in the background:



It was about 4" total accumulation at the Logan Pass visitor center and closed the Going-To-The-Sun road for about 18 hours, IIRC.

We've been to Glacier dozens of times, over the years. The visit last August was, by far, the most spectacular. We drove from east to west and back. The westerly winds were blowing the clouds over the tops of Clements and Reynolds Mountains; the snow storm had scrubbed all the smoke from the summer fires and left totally crystal clear unlimited visibility.

If the coming storm does dump 12" on Logan pass, I'd expect it to be closed for at least 2 - 3 days.

Take care,
Stu

[rfg9585]

Awesome news, we will be there Saturday 6/28. ready to roll into the park!!! Excited.....

[Ohio44718]

Leaving tomorrow stayed East side. Did not need to deal with car reservations. Wanted to have lunch at Many Glacier Hotel. Road construction and was told also needed car reservations although web site said not needed for another 5 days. Said they have just been slammed with visitors. Like said, main park no car passes needed from East side. When heading West, just turn around before West entrance check point and head back or wait until after the 3 pm time frame. Spectacular drive!