The Most Scenic Drive In America Is Now Open

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is officially open.

Whoever had June 13^th on your board has won a nice payday!

Wha? You don’t have an office wager on when the Big Drift will be cleared and the Going to the Sun Road will be open? Your loss.

Spring time at Logan Pass- NPS.gov

The pass can take up to ten weeks to plow, the biggest hurdle being the aforementioned ‘ Big Drift’ which, in places can be 80 feet deep. Allowing travel from West Glacier on the western side, to St. Mary on the east.

Construction on the Going to the Sun Road began in 1921 and was completed in 1932. The twelve-year project cost 2.5 million dollars.

Going to the Sun road map- historic american building survey- public domain

The Going to the Sun Road is the first to have been registered as a National Historic Place, A National Historic Landmark, and Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The road spans 50 miles and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. If you have never been over the road, you are in for a special treat.

No matter what publication you trust, whether it’s readers digest, Travel magazine, or even the KOA, anyone that has put together a ‘Greatest Drives in America’ list has included the Going to the Sun Road.

There are several ways you can experience Going to the Sun Road. You can reserve space on the famous Red Bus Tours, there are complimentary National Park Service Shuttles, and of course you can drive yourself. IF you have never driven the road before, might I suggest going from East to West? The road is safe, there are barriers, and everything is good. BUT, if you go East to West you will be on the ‘inside’ of the road, next to the rock wall, rather than on the outside and closer to the edge. That won’t be an issue for some, but some drivers might have a problem with the amount of … exposure, while driving on the outside.

Cruising to St. Mary- Jacob W. Frank

To access the park you have to have a registration, you can find out all the necessary information regarding digital passes HERE. You can also view the road report, campground updates, and other information at that link as well.

Oh, and if you plan on wagering on next season’s opening date, this year’s opening of June 13^th is pretty average. The latest it has ever opened was last year when it took until July 15^th for the Road to fully open.

Also, Glacier National Park recently celebrated a birthday. You can read more about the park HERE.

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[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]

Source: The Most Scenic Drive In America Is Now Open

Filed Under: Glacier National Park

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