Friday, August 14, 2015

Going-to-the-Sun Road Restrictions Lifted

The night closure on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park has been lifted. The entire 52 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are open to vehicle access.

Visitors will not be able to stop or park along the road in the Reynolds Creek Fire area on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and are reminded to drive cautiously in the area. Firefighters and equipment will continue to be staged along the road. Firefighters continue to mop up, patrol, and monitor the fire area. Two 20-person crews, three engines, and one helicopter are assigned to the fire at this time.

Smoke may be visible and may reduce visibility at times, so visitors are required to drive slowly within the fire area along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Active fire may be visible from the road, and visitors should watch for falling debris such as rocks and tree limbs, as well as fire-weakened trees. Almost 500 hazard trees, fire-weakened trees, have been removed from along the road. If anyone sees or encounters debris or fallen trees on the road, do not attempt to remove it, but please report it to a ranger or closest visitor center.

The park shuttle service will operate as normal, although there will be no shuttle stops in the fire area. The only shuttle stops on the east side at this time will be Rising Sun, Jackson Glacier Overlook, and Siyeh Bend.

Bicycle travel is now permitted on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The Glacier Boat Company is offering daily boat tours at Rising Sun. The Rising Sun Camp Store operated by Glacier National Park Lodges is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The Rising Sun Motor Inn and the Two Dog Flats Grill will remain closed at this time.

The Rising Sun Campground is anticipated to be closed most of the season.

The Gunsight Pass Trail and the Gunsight Lake Backcountry Campground are open. The St. Mary Lake Trail, and access to St Mary, Virginia and Baring Falls are still closed. The Otokomi Lake Trail is also closed. All trails within the fire perimeter are closed. Please check the on-line trail status information here or ask a park ranger at one of the park’s visitor centers.

Road rehabilitation work on the Going-to-the-Sun is on-going, and visitors may encounter delays.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

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