mackie17

We are planning a very last minute trip to GNP next week.
Just found out that the Going to the Sun road will be closed for repairs.
the park told me that we could do the east half of the road one day and do the wes half of the road another day.

We are first time visitors. Does this make sense?
Should we still make this trip or should we plan for another time?

Thanks!
[email protected]

enzian

If you are staying on the east side (Many Glacier, St. Mary, Rising Sun or East Glacier), then yes, it makes sense.

Next week you will still be able to drive from the east over Logan Pass as far as Big Bend. This will include all but a small section of the most scenic (and narrow and dramatic) road.

Here's what the park website says:

* West side will close to vehicular traffic between Avalanche and Big Bend
* East side traffic will be allowed to travel to Logan Pass and as far as Big Bend where barricades and toilets will be located.

And here's a map:

http://www.amwest-travel.com/awt_gla...o-the-sun.html

Go to the lower one with points of interest marked.

You really will still be able to drive almost all of the best part, and you will be able to stop at Logan Pass and hike to the overlook..

I would skip the west side drive, since you cannot go past Avalanche. (Unless, of course, you want to hike to Avalanche Lake).

Connie

If you can go as far as Avalanche, you aren't missing anything.

John

From Avalanche on to Logan Pass is the alpine section of the road. IMHO the MOST scenic part of the road.
The entire west side from West Glacier to Logan pass will reopen September 22 until clised by weather.
see www.nps.gov/glac
click on GTSR current status

John

SORRY, that should be
www.nps.gov/glac/

mackie17

gosh - our travel dates to the area are 9/19 - leaving 9/22. we have not yet secured accomodations - we would be driving up from couer d'alene.

Wonder if we should try to do this another time when the road closing is not an issue.

It seems like our we should not want to miss Avalanche on to Logan Pass portion of the road.

What do you think?

Appreciate any additional feedback.

thanks!

John

Yup, I would wait till you have more time

claire_bluesky

Part of the road was closed when we were there. We stayed on the east side, and as enzian says, you won't miss much. We took the alternate route to the west side, and the drive (1 1/2 hrs. I think) is lovely, very scenic. I wouldn't skip the west side. (We rented a boat at Lake McDonald and took the heli-tour on the west side.) We also went to Waterton Lakes np (1+ hr. from the east side) which is also worth the drive.

enzian

Good point, Claire_bluesky. I should have been clearer---what I meant was, don't bother with the west side of the GTTS Road, since you can only go as far as Avalanche. But the west side of the park itself is well worth a visit---we spent 5 days of our week on Lake McDonald and loved it there.

We had access to a boat so did not need to rent, but it looked like rental boats were available both at Apgar and at Lake McDonald Lodge. From the Apgar end of the lake, you can look deep into the park, actually to the Garden Wall area and surrounding peaks.