Going to the Sun Road in the Spring
Well, it's that time of year again! This post will showcase a bit about the beautiful area we are fortunate to call our home, specifically Glacier National Park, which is celebrating its 106th birthday TODAY!
Here in northwest Montana, we have many privileges, not the least of which is riding our bikes on the Going to the Sun road in Glacier National Park every spring. From approximately mid-April to mid-June every year, the plows work hard to clear many feet of snow off of this road to prepare it for the busy summer season. During this time, the road is gated and closed to vehicles, but as the plows make their way higher and higher on the Going to the Sun highway, the pavement is cleared and beckons to hikers and bikers. The park service is gracious to allow bicyclists and pedestrians exclusive access to this road until it is completely clear and ready for vehicular traffic.
Glacier National Park is over one million acres, and the Going to the Sun road is the only road that traverses the park. Crossing over the Continental Divide at 6,646 ft at Logan Pass, it allows up-close views of some of the most incredible scenery in the entire world. Completed in 1932, it is without a doubt an engineering marvel, and was one of the most dangerous roads to create in history.
Today we are fortunate to enjoy this beautiful road and the grandeur of Glacier National Park with all modern conveniences. When we experience this on our bicycles we can slow and down and really smell the flowers, noticing many details which tend to pass us by from our position within motorized vehicles. Imagine experiencing a national park without the usual congestion and busyness of summer, when all you can hear is the rushing river, birds singing, breeze blowing, and if you're lucky you might spot a bear! From far away hopefully.
Here are some photos we have taken from our spring adventures on Going to the Sun Road. Enjoy, and wish Glacier National Park a very happy birthday today! Get out and see it if you can. All photos are our own.
Here in northwest Montana, we have many privileges, not the least of which is riding our bikes on the Going to the Sun road in Glacier National Park every spring. From approximately mid-April to mid-June every year, the plows work hard to clear many feet of snow off of this road to prepare it for the busy summer season. During this time, the road is gated and closed to vehicles, but as the plows make their way higher and higher on the Going to the Sun highway, the pavement is cleared and beckons to hikers and bikers. The park service is gracious to allow bicyclists and pedestrians exclusive access to this road until it is completely clear and ready for vehicular traffic.
Glacier National Park is over one million acres, and the Going to the Sun road is the only road that traverses the park. Crossing over the Continental Divide at 6,646 ft at Logan Pass, it allows up-close views of some of the most incredible scenery in the entire world. Completed in 1932, it is without a doubt an engineering marvel, and was one of the most dangerous roads to create in history.
Today we are fortunate to enjoy this beautiful road and the grandeur of Glacier National Park with all modern conveniences. When we experience this on our bicycles we can slow and down and really smell the flowers, noticing many details which tend to pass us by from our position within motorized vehicles. Imagine experiencing a national park without the usual congestion and busyness of summer, when all you can hear is the rushing river, birds singing, breeze blowing, and if you're lucky you might spot a bear! From far away hopefully.
Here are some photos we have taken from our spring adventures on Going to the Sun Road. Enjoy, and wish Glacier National Park a very happy birthday today! Get out and see it if you can. All photos are our own.