In Western Montana, it’s currently one of the most wonderful times of the year. Why? Because the snowplow crews in Glacier National Park are in the midst of plowing the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Each spring, the plow crews make their way up the road–while it is covered in snow–and start to uncover one of the most scenic drives in the country.

Okay, I know you may be thinking, “How much snow could there possibly be on the road?” Our answer: A LOT.

The “Big Drift,” located east of Logan Pass, can reach depths of up to 90 feet. (To put it in perspective, that’s like taking 15, 6 feet tall men and standing them on top of each other). Every year, the plow crew working on the west side of the road and the plow crew working on the east side of the road meet at the Big Drift and together tackle one of their biggest challenges.

This photo from spring 2013 shows crews starting to tackle the Big Drift. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
This photo from spring 2013 shows crews starting to tackle the Big Drift. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS

Here’s a look at plowing photos from this spring…

Red Rock Slide on April 10. Photo: GlacierNPS
Red Rock Slide on April 10.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Clearing slide debris on April 16. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Clearing slide debris on April 16.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Grizzly Slide (1 mile east of the Loop) on April 24. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Grizzly Slide (one mile east of the Loop) on April 24.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Little Granite (2 miles east of the Loop) on April 30. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Little Granite (two miles east of the Loop) on April 30.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Holy snow. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Holy snow.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Near Haystack on May 7. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Near Haystack on May 7. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Plow crews 4 miles west of Logan Pass. Photo: GlacierNPS
Plow crews four miles west of Logan Pass.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
The view toward Logan Pass and the Going-to-the-Sun Road on May 14. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
The view toward Logan Pass and the Going-to-the-Sun Road on May 14. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Near Big Bend on May 15. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Near Big Bend on May 15.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Cutting through the snow near Big Bend on May 20. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
Cutting through the snow near Big Bend on May 20.
Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
The plows make progress near Siyeh Bend on May 23. Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS
The plows make progress near Siyeh Bend on May 23.   Photo courtesy: GlacierNPS

And if you thought the only thing that the plow crews have to do is plow the road…think again. After the road is cleared, hundreds of guard rails are installed to make summer road trips on the Going-to-the-Sun Road safer.

PS: If you want to keep up with how many miles of the road are open, you can do so here. To view more plowing photos, visit the Glacier National Park Flickr page.

May 30, 2014

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Comments

Caleb Miller
That is amazing. I can't wait to move to Hamilton and explore MT.
R Collins
What a tremendous task the plow operators face! I am pleased to hear the possible open date is June 20th because that is the day we arrive!!! This will be our first trip to Glacier and we are so excited!
Esther
Cant wait to visit this year. We used to live in EAST Glacier and taught school in Browning. The Park was our "backyard", enjoying it through the seasons until the snow level became prohibitive. Our fav place to visit and stay.
Scott VanTassel
We just made our first trek into glacier last week! I was thinking that we should have Waited until the road was open, but I'm very glad we didn't. Too much to see and do for many trips to come! Everything about this place is so awesome. Many thanks to all of the amazing park staff for all your hard work!
Pamela Haggerty
Glacier is my favorite place in America. Our family really enjoyed our visit last July and will go back soon! Thanks for all your hard work to keep this park pristine. Keep protecting for our kids and the next generations to enjoy. :)
micheal heiser
I lived in Montana in the 1960's and loved going to Glacier as much as possible,now live in Texas and need to return there to rejuvinate my body it is truly god's country and need to be blessed once again!
Karen Hilt
I agree, access to one of the most beautiful places on earth! We have been there many times and would love to come again. I can never get enough of Glacier Park and this road. I applaud the crews efforts to open the road - what a project! Holy Snow is right!
jennifer munds/noland
Yes, i lived in Whitefish MT and my stepdad Woody Collins used to work in Glacier Park in the 1980's. So, i was Blessed enough to be able to visit the park All the time! We took Many Friends and family members there for day trips, and Always BLEW their minds! Glacier Park and Northwestern MT Truely Are GOD'SCOUNTRY! I havent been back to MT or Glacier in Years, and im having withdrawls! L.O.L.:-) I live in TX now and it a Wonderfully Friendly state, but i Miss seeing That Beautiful Gods country Alot!! Do yourself a favor and put this on your Bucket List on #1! God Bless you All up there!
DAVE WILTSE
MY WIFE AND I TRAVELED FROM NEW ENGLAND TO MONTANA FOR A RELATIVE'S WEDDING. WE RENTED A MOTORCYCLE AND HEADED DUE NORTH IN EARLY SEPT. EVEN THOUGH WE LOOKED AT GLACIER ON-LINE BEING THERE COULDNOT BE SURPASSED WITH ANY PICTURE. TRULY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPOTS IN THE WORLD. LONG LIVE OUR NATIONAL PARKS
Zeb Friudenberg
Man I have nothing holding me back from leaving Texas and moving to this beautiful land that I keep hearing about except for the fact that I don't have any contacts to go and work.... I work for Brazoria County Road and Bridge and am excellent with heavy machinery and also love to get down and get my hands dirty swinging a hammer! :) I'll be 28 in August and have been daydreaming about living in mountain range of Montana since I was a child! Boy it would be awesome to get a county job up there and transfer over if possible, even if that means I have to start at rock-bottom all over again!
Doug Henderson
We live in southern Alberta and travel to the flathead valley area numerous times a year. It is an absolutely spectacular drive when we can go over the logans pass as soon as possible when it opens in the late spring. To see that much snow still clinging to the sides of the mountains and along the road is amazing! All the waterfalls along the way make for a very refreshing trip and the clean fresh air is intoxicating. If you ever get a chance to make this drive don't pass it up!! It will stay in your memory forever. Can't wait to for it to open again this year!!
David jablonski
Y'all got to go to Eddie's and have a huckleberry shake. Being an expert in that endeavor I can say. They make the best shakes in Western Montana. Johnsons on the east side in St. Mary has some very good food too, as well as Two Sisters up the road. I hope to see my old friend this summer. I've seen her almost every other year now for the last 40 years. Met my wife in glacier in 1984. I found love twice that summer and I still got both. If glacier was a woman I would have had a big problem. Everyone have a great summer.
A Grimes
It is amazing. I watch the Where Are The Plows every year. One fall,mid September) my wife and I were at Glacier. One day we had driven around the mountain over to the Canadian side. On the way back we decided to take the short cut over the Logan Pass. By the time we got to the top it was in the clouds and snowing. As we drove down the west side I could see in my mirror the clouds were following us. The Park Service closed the road behind us for the season. I can hardy wait for the NPS to get both cameras working again at Logan Pass. I watch them the year round to see what wild life is around and how deep the snow is getting on the pine trees near by. One view included a large boulder. That was my clue that the snow was starting to pile up.

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