Each spring in Western Montana, a remarkable transformation begins in Glacier National Park. As winter’s deep snowpack starts to give way to longer days and warming temperatures, dedicated park crews set out on a very unique annual task—plowing the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
This iconic 50-mile route, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, remains buried under heavy snow for much of the year. Before the road can open to vehicles, plow operators carefully make their way up the mountain, carving through snowdrifts and ice to reveal one of America’s most scenic drives.
Among their most challenging obstacles is the Big Drift, located just east of Logan Pass. Each spring, the wind-driven snow piles up here—sometimes reaching depths of nearly 90 feet. Crews working from the east and west sides of the park eventually meet at this point, joining forces to cut through the towering drift and reconnect the road across the Continental Divide.
Their work not only clears a path through Glacier’s high country but also signals the arrival of a new season—one filled with wildflowers, waterfalls and mountain views.
Once the snow has been cleared, the crews’ work continues. Before the road opens for the summer, they install hundreds of guardrails, repair signs and ensure that each curve and overlook along the Going-to-the-Sun Road is safe for travelers. It’s a careful, time-honored process that makes it possible for visitors to experience Glacier National Park’s extraordinary scenery responsibly—and safely.
To learn more about spring operations and the status of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, visit this page.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
May 30, 2014
Related: Glacier National Park
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