Glacier NP - IZ

[fudgie]

For those going to IZ in Billings MT and wanting to hit Glacier while there, The Going to the Sun rd might not be open by then. Its usually open by the end of June but they said last night it maybe more like by July 4th. Lotta snow still on the roads.

Also Beartooth Pass was closed last night. Prob open today. Be sure to check each side of the pass when you do it. It can close at a moments notice. Its been 40 deg and 70 deg in Aug when I have gone over it a few times.

[Oss]

and check the 5 day as well

I decided to head west over beartooth a day early to miss thunderstorms

There is NO PLACE TO HIDE going over beartooth as you dont really go thru a pass you go over the top of the plateau

2012 going over with Allan in front and BearintheHouse behind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgsvaMeClxo

[JimC]

HEY OSS,
Nice video, first time I have seen that.

Jim

[vanavyman]

That is a shame. We were planning to spend 2 days in Kalispell 21 & 22 June and ride the Road to the Sun. I'll have to check the weather on the parks website. I've been looking at Kalispell weather forecast is great with 70s and 80s.  Thanks for the heads up. We are Montana rookies.
Dan

[fudgie]

That is a shame. We were planning to spend 2 days in Kalispell 21 & 22 June and ride the Road to the Sun. I'll have to check the weather on the parks website. I've been looking at Kalispell weather forecast is great with 70s and 80s.  Thanks for the heads up. We are Montana rookies.
Dan

Kalispel is a little ways from Glacier. Id say a hr or so. A lot of stop and goes to get to GNP. A lot lower and flatter. Yup check online. I believe some of it is open just not the higher elevations, the pretty parts.  Still alot of neat stuff to see before you start going 'up hill'.

[sutterhome]

Belton Chalet some of the better eats in the Glacier Parks area, west side. Many Hotel is just beautiful if you can make the time.

[Gryphon Rider]

Road status here:
https://www.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm

Plow progress here:
https://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/gttsroadplow/gttsroadplowstatus.cfm

Webcam at St. Mary Visitor Center (east end of Going-To-The-Sun Road):
Webcam

Webcam at Lake McDonald (west end of Going-To-The-Sun Road):
Webcam

My plan is to go through there on the June 22nd, but obviously won't if there is snow on the road surface, even if open.

[fudgie]

http://1063cowboycountry.com/june-snowstorm-expected-in-western-wyoming-early-this-week

 

[threevalks]

Bump

[sutterhome]

All 50 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are Now Open according to their website

[threevalks]

I just finished the ride to the sun at 1:00 today, and to be honest, I was a little disappointed. It is a great road after you finally start climbing the mountain, but the first 20-25 miles are mainly just running beside a lake then a river. Very little elevation change, nearly straight road. The traffic was terrible, people everywhere. They were letting everyone in the park for free to speed things up. I rode it from West to east and back, 108 miles, took five hours round trip. The temperature was 70-85 degrees. There was very little snow anywhere, it was closed last week, supposedly because of snow. The weeds and flowers along the road were knee high and In full bloom. Maybe they grow under snow in Montana, and it all melts off in a couple days. IMHO the road to the sun is a good ride, but like Deals Gap, there are better roads that just are not as popular.

[baldo]

We were there the 22, 23rd of the month and the road wasn't open. A little disappointed as we had been told by someone from the area that it was open. Should have checked it for ourselves. The road was closed at the Avalanche on that side.....

Beautiful country.....