Author Topic: NT/GPN: The Glacier/Logan/Marias situation as it stands  (Read 7315 times)

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Offline adventurepdx

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NT/GPN: The Glacier/Logan/Marias situation as it stands
« on: July 06, 2011, 05:22:44 pm »
Hello forum-arama from East Glacier Park, MT! Here's the scoop on crossing the Continental Divide in Glacier Park in Montana.

Currently, Logan Pass on Going-To-The-Sun Road is STILL closed. When we were at Avalanche campground two days ago, the word from a park employee is that it would probably be a week to 10 days before they can open it. Although it's closed to cars, you CAN ride for 11 miles east past the road closure at Avalanche to Bird Woman Falls Overlook, past The Loop. But there is no camping past Avalanche and shuttle buses are taking people between Avalanche and The Loop on 10 minute intervals during the day, so you'll have to dodge them. There was also a rumor that they would do some paving/construction on this segment of the road while it's still closed, so if that happens, there won't be any bicycle access as well.

So, if you want to cross the divide anytime soon, you would need to take US 2 over Marias Pass, which is what we mostly did yesterday. Notice that I said "mostly".

About 15-20 miles east of West Glacier, near Stanton, we encountered construction. It was a chip sealing operation. (Fun!) We were informed that there was a seven mile segment of fresh chip seal and all traffic was following a pilot car through the construction zone. We were also informed that the chip seal was still loose, and the pilot car speed was 25 m.p.h., a speed we could not reasonably maintain on a bike even in perfect conditions. When we asked what provisions there were for bicyclist in this situation, we were told there were none.

So what did we do? Rather than turn around or scream at the heavens (which all sounded appealing) we managed to snag a ride from someone with a truck.

And also on the east side of Marias, there was more construction, this time about 3 miles of grooved pavement. Looks like the construction on both sides of the passes will be going on for a bit.

My word of advice: WAIT, if you can, for Logan to finally open.

And here's the link to the status of Going-To-The-Sun Road:
http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm

indyfabz

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Re: NT/GPN: The Glacier/Logan/Marias situation as it stands
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2011, 03:41:52 pm »
The full length of the road opened today at 8 a.m. local time.