Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Snow blocking our route...

Well, we're on track for getting on the road this Sunday. Time has really flown by, I can't believe the trip starts so soon! I do have to say, I have prepared more for this trip than I have for any other time I've traveled. And that includes when I moved to Oxford for a year (though I almost moved there indefinitely). However, it seems that we're facing an obstacle that I can't really plan around--there are still 50 foot snow drifts in Glacier National Park that have a big stretch of the road closed. Normally, Going-to-the-sun Road (the Sun Road) opens in early June. This year, the opening was delayed until June 18, but then it got pushed again because of late season snowfall. Apparently, the amount of precipitation in the park was about 80% of average up until April, but by June it was 110% of average.

Here's the part of the drive that I'm worried about:


View Larger Map

Here's the stretch that's currently closed (in red):


Aaaaaaand here's why it is closed:


This photo is taken just past Logan Pass at an area called "Big Drift." Apparently, there's a 40-50 foot snow drift that forms here every winter, which can take a long time to clear. According to some local newspaper articles, the hope is to have the entire route open in the next few days. I just hope there isn't another blizzard or avalanche to prevent that from happening. I am not quite sure how we'd modify our route if we couldn't drive through Glacier anymore. Plus, going through Glacier is on the main reasons for picking this route in the first place! Anyway, I am crossing my fingers for now. Also, I am highly considering packing a snow shovel, which I didn't originally plan to do...

2 comments:

  1. Add an avalanche beacon to the list. That road will be open by the end of the month. I saw a discovery channel special on how they open it and they are very serious about getting it open on time. Enjoy the trip, my friend, and try to make as many questionable decisions as you can.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like you called it right, Ken. They are opening up the road today. They must have been further along with the plowing than that "Road Closure Map" indicated.

    Come with me on the way back! I'll buy your plane ticket!

    http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_791a1b26-7f48-11df-b37a-001cc4c002e0.html

    ReplyDelete