Sun Road re-opens on east side
The east side of the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park has reopened following its closure last month due to a wildfire.
The road is open to access from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Drivers are warned to use caution on the road and be aware of firefighting activities along the road due to the Reynolds Creek Fire.
The road was closed from Logan Pass to St. Mary on July 21 due to the Reynolds Creek Fire. The 4,000-acre fire is now about 70 percent contained.
Glacier Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said after consulting with the incident management team managing the Reynolds Creek Fire the decision was made to open the road. There will be no visitor travel during the evening, night and early morning hours.
“We believe the night closure is in the best interest of the firefighters working in the area and the visitor,” Mow said. “Access may increase or decrease according to fire activity and safety.”
Smoke may be visible along the road and could reduce visibility at times. Active fire may be seen from the road and visitors are asked to watch for falling debris such as rocks and tree limbs, as well as fire-weakened trees.
The park shuttle service will operate as normal, although there will be no shuttle stops in the fire area. Only the Rising Sun and Siyeh Bend shuttle stops will be open on the east side of the road.
Bicycle travel is not allowed in the fire areas, but cyclists may transport their bikes on the park shuttle system.
Almost 500 hazard trees, fire-weakened trees, have been removed from along the road. Visitors, who encounter debris or fallen trees on the road, are asked to report it to a ranger or the closet visitor center.
Firefighters and equipment will be working and staged along the road.
Road rehabilitation work on the Sun Road that was happening before the fire will continue, which may cause traffic delays.
An alternate to the Going-to-the-Sun Road is U.S. Highway 2 along the southern boundary of the park. Alternate transportation options for traveling the Sun Road include the park's free shuttle system or concession-operated interpretive tours with the Red Buses or Sun Tours Cultural Tours.
Glacier Park officials outlined available services and continued closures on the east side of the Sun Road:
• Visitors will not be able to stop or park along the road or in pullouts between the St. Mary Campground and Siyeh Bend. However, the Rising Sun area will have limited access to concession operations.
•The Glacier Boat Company will resume boat tour operations at Rising Sun.
• The Rising Sun Camp Store will open on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and be open daily.
• The Rising Sun Motor Inn and the Two Dog Flats Grill remain closed at this time.
• The Rising Sun Campground is anticipated to be closed most of the season.
• Access to trails on the east side of the park along the Sun Road is limited. All trails within the fire perimeter are closed. The Piegan Pass Trail from Siyeh Bend is open for hiking to the north, but not accessible to the south. The Siyeh Pass Trail is only open to Siyeh Pass, and is closed in the Baring Creek. The Gunsight Pass Trail remains closed from the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Gunsight Pass. Trails accessing St. Mary, Virginia, and Baring Creek Falls are closed. Check the on-line trail status information at http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hikingthetrails.htm.