Glacier Park plows push past The Loop

Glacier National Park snow plows have advanced beyond The Loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road on the park’s west side.

Plowing crews have begun the long ascent toward Logan Pass on the road’s alpine section.

On the east side of the park, a plow crew has been working on the Two Medicine Road, cutting through about five feet of snow in the vicinity of Running Eagle Falls this week.

Currently, about 12.5 miles of the Sun Road are open for vehicle travel. Visitors can drive 11.5 miles from the west entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge, where there is a vehicle gate.

On the east side, people can drive one mile from the St. Mary entrance to the foot of St. Mary Lake.

Hikers and bikers can go about 6.5 miles beyond the gate at Lake McDonald Lodge to the Red Rock pullout. After 6 p.m. and on weekends, there are no hiker-biker restrictions.

On the east side, there will be no hiker-biker access this year because of road construction activity.

Camas Road on the park’s west side is open to vehicles; all other park roads remain closed.