Slides close part of Sun Road

A short but heavy rainstorm on Tuesday, July 17, caused several mud and rock slides on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, prompting closure of the road between Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass.

The section road remained closed the next day, Wednesday, July 18, and could remain closed through part of the next day, Thursday, July 19.

Glacier National Park dispatchers first received reports at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday of several mud and rock slides along approximately five miles of the Sun Road located above The Loop to an area near Triple Arches.

About 150 cars were affected as at least a dozen slides rained down on the Sun Road in the alpine area, according to Park spokesperson Denise Germann.

Park rangers, road contractors and other National Park Service employees responded to the incident. Two visitors sustained minor injuries when their vehicle was hit and damaged. They were attended to by Park rangers. A visitor with diabetic needs was transported to a medical facility by Three Rivers EMS.  

About 10 vehicles were trapped in the slide area. One vehicle was damaged and was towed. Several vehicles were escorted out of the closure area with one-lane of traffic as rocks and debris were removed. Park and contractor equipment is being used to move debris.

HK Contractors, which was involved in reconstruction work in the alpine area of the Sun Road, provided much needed assistance with heavy equipment they had on scene.

For more information about road status, visit online at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm.