Going to the Sun Road Opening Info

rickcorwn · Feb 9, 2009

I was browsing the Glacier NP web site doing some winter planning and came across some info about the construction on the GTSR. I emailed the Ranger in charge and got this response

Now about what's happening early in the summer. There is a contract forroad reconstruction on both the east and west sides of Logan pass. Based on

the contract, we have to provide the construction crew with unrestricted

access to the road until June 19. After that date they need to allow

traffic through the construction zones, if they have not finished their

work (and if the road has been plowed and clear of snow). Last summer the

snowpack did not allow for through traffic until July. Each summer is

different. It's possible that through traffic could happen prior to June

19, but even if the road is clear of snow, contractually the construction

crews do have rights to unrestricted use of the road and it may still be

closed through the duration of their contract and not open until June 19.

Bottom line is it's even less likely anyone would be able to get through the GTSR before June 19th even if the snow is clear.

Now on to plan B <_<

wheatonFJR · Feb 9, 2009

Thanks for the info...

huron52 · Feb 9, 2009

thanks for that bit of information..... Now I have to ask... How about Beartooth pass?

Anyone?

rickcorwn · Feb 9, 2009

huron52 said:
thanks for that bit of information..... Now I have to ask... How about Beartooth pass?
Anyone?

They're work'n on it

If they don't have the construction like GTSR it will be weather related so check back in the Spring. Cheif Joseph is maintained all winter so it will be open.

Bluestreek · Feb 9, 2009

May have to alter my route. Will be watching to see how things work out

Bungie · Feb 9, 2009

rickcorwn said:
I was browsing the Glacier NP web site doing some winter planning and came across some info about the construction on the GTSR. I emailed the Ranger in charge and got this response
Bottom line is it's even less likely anyone would be able to get through the GTSR before June 19th even if the snow is clear.

.. and thats why I did an alternate route up through LoLo pass. I'm gonna be bummed as GTS is on my list of **** to do before I kick. Guess I'll have to go back :clapping:

7xray · Feb 9, 2009

huron52 said:
thanks for that bit of information..... Now I have to ask... How about Beartooth pass?
Anyone?

It should be open by then but ya never know. Also, it could be a big ol' blizzard up that at any time too.

7x

SacramentoMike · Feb 9, 2009

North to Banff and Jasper, and then down to Glacier AFTER CFR sounds better and better. You REALLY don't want to miss that ride.

huron52 · Feb 9, 2009

SacramentoMike said:
North to Banff and Jasper, and then down to Glacier AFTER CFR sounds better and better. You REALLY don't want to miss that ride.

That would work but we (us Ontario-an's) are heading east not south....to head back home.

I'll have to watch the road weather conditions and plan accordingly...

SacramentoMike · Feb 10, 2009

huron52 said:
". . . we Ontario-an's are heading east not south..."

I'm not sure what they put in the gas up north. Anti-freeze maybe, but it's damn expensive. You could save a few bucks heading back to Ontario via Montana, ND, Minnesota, etc. Of course, the other drivers don't move over to the right when you close up behind them like the Canadians do. . .

huron52 · Feb 10, 2009

Oh I like the route idea ,

It is just that I was sort of planning that through the states going there and Canada on the way back.

As for the price of gas.... well I'm sort used to it.... We also have to figure in the cost of exchange of money and the surcharge credit cards charge to use their card in the states....

Bungie · Feb 10, 2009

SacramentoMike said:
North to Banff and Jasper, and then down to Glacier AFTER CFR sounds better and better. You REALLY don't want to miss that ride.

If GTS is closed, I don't think 2 days over a weekend is gonna make a difference - especially if its closed for construction.

I'm gonna have to look at a map and see where on GTS Logan's pass is. If its close to one end or the other, you still might get a good ride in, just have to double back to come out.

rickcorwn · Feb 10, 2009

Bungie said:
If GTS is closed, I don't think 2 days over a weekend is gonna make a difference - especially if its closed for construction.

If the snow has been cleared the construction Co. is contractually required to open the to traffic on June 19th. There may be delays or lane closures but the road will be opened, IF the snow has been cleared.

Bungie said:
I'm gonna have to look at a map and see where on GTS Logan's pass is. If its close to one end or the other, you still might get a good ride in, just have to double back to come out.

That's a good option, Logan Pass is a little East of half way. US-2 along the south boundry of the park is a pretty good ride. If you were to ride in and out to the construction on both sides and conect the two with US-2 it would only be about 170 miles.

SacramentoMike · Feb 10, 2009

Logan Pass is at the summit of the Going to the Sun (naturally), and the construction is just a few miles to the west of that, so even if you can't get past the construction, you could still go around to the south (it's just as fast) to the east end of the road, Saint Mary, and ride up to Logan from there. You might even be able to continue down past the summit for those few miles till you were forced to turn around, unless the road is blocked at the summit because of the closure (or if it isn't plowed beyond there yet. But even the St. Mary to Logan drive is pretty great, even if the other half is more scenic, IMO. For that matter, if you start on the west side, I'm sure you could ride up to the turnaround just below the project.

For anybody that makes it to St. Mary, I STRONGLY recommend that you head north from there just a few miles up hwy 89, seems like it was only 20 or so. You leave the park and then re-enter at another gate and follow signs for Many Glaciers. I think that was the most gorgeous part of the whole park I saw from any road. You really won't believe the view from the Many Glacier Inn, and it's a terrific place to eat--or even spend a night, a lot like the Ahwahnee or the Yellowstone Inn.

bikerskier · Feb 10, 2009

SacramentoMike said:
For anybody that makes it to St. Mary, I STRONGLY recommend that you head north from there just a few miles up hwy 89, seems like it was only 20 or so. You leave the park and then re-enter at another gate and follow signs for Many Glaciers. I think that was the most gorgeous part of the whole park I saw from any road. You really won't believe the view from the Many Glacier Inn, and it's a terrific place to eat--or even spend a night, a lot like the Ahwahnee or the Yellowstone Inn.

This area is so beautiful that if you can spare an extra day for some hiking and exploring, you will be rewarded many times over. IMO it is 2nd only to the Lake O'Hara area, just west of Lake Louise, for beauty.

FJRGuy · Feb 11, 2009

Bridget & I detoured over the GTS Highway on our way down to NAFO. It was DEFINITELY worth the detour (despite the construction.) We agreed on the spot to travel it again this summer. If you have the time to run in and out each, or either, side it would likely be worth it (and probably be lighter traffic too! I'm planning on hitting it on the way to WFO at the end of July.

And for our Ontarioian friends, having travelled from ON to AB way too many times, I'd take the US route BOTH directions, at least to/from AB!

Getting a US$ Credit Card may save you on the exchange and fee issues.

Hmmm... maybe we should call the contractor and negotiate a FJR Only path though thier work site. We don't need much room!

HaulinAshe · Feb 11, 2009

Two years ago at WFO-06 was my first ride on GTSR. It was 103F at 9,250 feet of altitude. I kinda like the prospect of encountering cleared snow this year. And as luck would have it, my route passes through GTSR on June 19th!!!!

Thanks for the update!

Joe2Lmaker · Feb 16, 2009

bikerskier said:
SacramentoMike said:

For anybody that makes it to St. Mary, I STRONGLY recommend that you head north from there just a few miles up hwy 89, seems like it was only 20 or so. You leave the park and then re-enter at another gate and follow signs for Many Glaciers. I think that was the most gorgeous part of the whole park I saw from any road. You really won't believe the view from the Many Glacier Inn, and it's a terrific place to eat--or even spend a night, a lot like the Ahwahnee or the Yellowstone Inn.

Click to expand...

This area is so beautiful that if you can spare an extra day for some hiking and exploring, you will be rewarded many times over. IMO it is 2nd only to the Lake O'Hara area, just west of Lake Louise, for beauty.

Thanks for the recommendation guys. It's on the route plan now.

Kalispell-2-Nakusp%20via%20Many%20Glaciers.jpg

FJRGuy · Feb 16, 2009

Joe2Lmaker said:
Thanks for the recommendation guys. It's on the route plan now.

Just looking at Joe's map made me think of something. Chief Mountain Port-of-Entry (the border crossing between Glacier and Waterton Parks) is a great place to cross. Particularly at this time of year. Beautiful ride and quick crossing. But keep in mind that there is no Duty Free Shop if you were hoping to pick anything up on the way in (or much else for that matter!) Also, though not usually a problem when touring, the port os only open from 0700 to 2200.

Going to the Sun Road Opening Info

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