viewgirl

Which route to take? We are arriving in Kalispell on Jne 22nd and have reservations at Many Glacier Hotel. What is the fastest way to arrive there---go around and enter from the East end of the park? or drive through from the west end?

tomfuller

Take US 2 east to East Glacier and then 49 out past Two Medicine to Kiowa and then US 89 north. Expect to see horses in the road near MP 20 south of St. Mary.

John

The Going to the Sun Road west to east may NOT be opened by June 22. It is scheduled to open June 21 due to construction but that is always weather dependent. Taking highway 2 to East Glacier is a safe bet but I would bypass highway 49 and 89. Both are HORRIBLE roads. Take highway 2 directly to the town of Browning and then pick up highway 464 which connects with 89 further north and a decent road which will then take you direct to Many Glacier.
Ordinarily, coming from Kalispell and going to Many via the GTTS Road is the prefered scenic route. However either way takes the same amount of time, approximately 3 1/2 hours from Kalispell

tomfuller

On June 1, 2012 I drove over the road from Kiowa past Two Medicine to come out at East Glacier. There was no snow on or next to the road. Yes there was a short stretch that was gravel road but I was driving a rental car.
The rotary snow plows are getting closer to Logan Pass. This is the latest information. http://home.nps.gov/applications/gla...plowstatus.cfm
On 6/1/12 I drove up 17 miles from St. Mary on the GTTS road before I came to the locked gate.
You should be able to drive the GTTS road all the way through on June 22 if you want to unless it snows again which is possible.

viewgirl

Thank you for your replies. We will take hwy 2 around to the west end I figure we'll be doing plenty of driving in the park, and hoping that gtts road opens by the 22nd.

panecott

John, I'm just curious. What is horrible about H'ways 49 and 89?

I don't know if I've ever been on either one, but I've been in the area a few times and always enjoyed driving. So I'm just wondering what is bad about them. Thx.

John

Highway 89 is a very slow going, winding road with heavy slow traffic in season. Highway 49, is closed from Two Medicine on up to 89 to motor homes and any vehicle towing trailer etc. Closed in the winter , this stretch was abandoned as a road a few years ago and then reinstated with not much improvement.
Your choice, but I MUCH prefer going into Browning and taking 464.

wave725

I agree with John...when we stay in Two Medicine and want to get to Many GLacier, we always go up through Browning and up 464...much better drive than Highway 2.

panecott

Thanks for the info, John.