GNP mid May (construction, things to do, vehicles)

[62mike]

We were unable to make our trip previously but are planning on being there May 18th 2023.

I know the weather and construction makes things unpredictable. For the folks that have been there recently is it open enough to make our trip worthwhile?

I'd hate to travel that far and that expense to only access 50 or 60 percent of the park. We are in our late 50's so driving will be our main avenue to seeing the park.

Thank you.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

GNP updated their website April 8: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
They emphasize that vehicles need to be registered for a visit from May 26, '23. So May 18 falls outside the requirement, but they also emphasize that roads may still be closed. It isn't unusual for Going to the Sun Road to stay closed until mid-June or even late June. We were there some years ago on June 10, and it had opened the day before. We were driving along tall snow/ice walls. The Going-to-the-Sun link hasn't been updated since February, and the road closures link was last updated last August!

I don't know if you can get any further advice/assurance this early--winter's been so long, and there's still snow in our driveway in North Idaho. My best advice is to check the GNP website frequently.

[NW Crow]

By May 18, the Going to the Sun road is likely to open about 1/4th open on either side, maybe less. Reaching Logan Pass is completely unrealistic.

So you can probably reach Lake McDonald or St. Mary Lake. Of the two I think St. Mary is more worthy of the effort. Maybe one could get to one of the other big lakes by the side roads but no guarantees and it will probably be affected by vehicle type and driver ability / comfort.

If it is a trip of lifetime, it is not the right time.

If time is not flexible, would you consider Grand Teton instead? Or Colorado's Grand Mesa? Sawtooth's in Idaho? Or in BC / Alberta using year round roads?

[Shuffler]

GNP typically isn't fully open until early to mid July. Doesn't mean there aren't other things to do around here, you just need to plan accordingly.

In May you'll be able to get to Apgar, Avalanche, Lake McDonald, and St Mary. Sun Road won't be fully open until mid July. You can park at Avalanche to walk/bike the road up to the point where it's closed for snow removal ops. Expect it to be busy ... with so many 'new locals' and the Park allowing eBikes on the road, it's lost most of the charm it once had as a nice, quiet place to go for a walk, run, or ride before it opens to traffic.

Fernie B.C. is a couple hours away, so a day trip or overnighter there might be worth doing. The vax mandate to cross the border was lifted by Canada last year. I'm planning to get up there this year to mountain bike ... the entire town is surrounded with a world-class trail system (also some hiking trails). Haven't checked what the conditions are lately.

[NW Crow]

Map indicates plowing progress.


https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/directions.htm

West side may be further along than I expected.

But not the same as open for travel.

[NW Crow]

Plowing on Going to the Sun Road continues with miles to go to connect sides. Avalanche closures extend for many more miles even where plowed. Timing of construction closures and delays are another layer of issue.