Park plowing slowed by weather

Just a few weeks ago, Glacier National Park officials were hoping they’d have plows at Logan Pass by now. Mother Nature, however, had other plans.

Last week was marked by heavy rain, snow and poor visibility. Plows on the west side one day had to clear several snow slides that crossed the highway behind them just to get off the Sun Road.

But now the plows are close to Logan Pass. On the east side, crews should be pioneering a route through the Big Drift this week, and west-side crews should be at Logan Pass — they were at Oberlin Bend late last week, less than half a mile below the pass. Snow depths were 12 to 24 feet.

The Park is hoping to have the entire length of the Run Road open by June 15, if weather cooperates. The weather was stellar in early May, and crews made good progress. But late May saw plenty of rain. Over the past week, West Glacier had 1.37 inches of rain.

More rain is expected every day this week in the Park, with highs in the 50s through Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch through Thursday for Flathead County, as small streams in particular could rise significantly.

When construction crews aren’t working and crews aren’t plowing, hikers and bikers on the west side can travel as far as Bird Woman Falls overlook. There are no restrictions on the east side when plows aren’t working.

Elsewhere in the Park, the Cut Bank Road is now open, and the Inside North Fork Road remains closed from Fish Creek to Logging Creek due to flooding and downed trees.