As the most popular attraction in Glacier National Park (GNP), the Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses scenic alpine zones and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2026m or 6,647' elevation). The Park closes a 56km (34.8 mile) section of the road each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards. Annual spring opening of the road is a highly anticipated event for visitors and the regional economy is strongly tied to the road’s accessibility. Efforts to open the road each spring rely on a USGS-National Parks Service (NPS) partnership based on the expertise of USGS avalanche scientists, who provide on-site forecasting for NPS plowing efforts. The applied research from ongoing USGS avalanche studies supports forecasting efforts that guide the safety of this hazardous plowing operation.
After 12 years of construction, the Going-to-the-Sun-Road (GTTSR) opened in 1933 as a narrow, two-lane road bisecting the park and showcasing 80km (49.7 miles) of stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. The seasonal nature of the road’s accessibility is determined by the avalanche risk that exists in the alpine sections of the road. Snowfall generally closes the road in October and snow removal begins in April, with the road opening, on average, around June 9.
In 2002, GNP instituted its first formal avalanche hazard forecasting program for snow removal operations. For the 2003 season, GNP established a daily forecasting program with two full-time avalanche specialists. During the season, which typically runs from April through June, equipment operators removing snow from the upper 23km (14.3 mile) segment of the GTTSR are exposed to a variety of avalanche hazards, including loose snow avalanches, wet and dry slab avalanches, and glide avalanches. In this road section, the GTTSR lies mid-track in numerous large avalanche paths capable of destructive class 4 slides.
The avalanche paths threatening the GTTSR are predominantly sunny, windward slopes (Figure 3). The paths east of the divide face east through south; those west of the divide face southwest through west. The exceptions are in the bowl-shaped start zones of the larger west-side paths, such as Haystack Creek, Big Bend, and Triple Arches. Parts of these bowls also face west-northwest through northwest. Some west side paths are also shaded each morning by the narrow spine of the Continental Divide known as The Garden Wall, which rises 75-275m (246'-902') above the start zones.
This orientation towards the sun is a significant factor in springtime avalanche conditions. The start zones are subject to direct solar radiation much of the day and temperature swings can be dramatic. The site’s mid-hemisphere latitude (48o 40’ N) and the time of year magnify insolation. Although the latitude means short days and weak insolation in the winter, it makes for longer periods of ever-more intense insolation – and shorter periods of freeze – as the season progresses.
In addition to forecasting, the program also provides real-time snow safety. During the workday, the equipment operators are in avalanche tracks where stability assessment is difficult at best, and it is of utmost importance that they remain focused on the mentally-demanding task of keeping their equipment on the narrow roadbed. Our mobility affords us access to avalanche starting zones above the work area, where we can effectively monitor changing snow conditions during the day. This monitoring provides an additional margin of safety to the crew during periods of rapidly decreasing stability, or it allows them to work longer when the hazard is not increasing as expected.
The avalanche program has increased avalanche awareness among equipment operators through regular avalanche safety training. Although the plowing crew does not need to understand the intricacies of snow stability evaluation, a working knowledge of avalanche terminology and mechanics provides them with tools to make independent decisions when necessary and establishes a common language for sharing information. Further, in the event of an avalanche incident the equipment operators will likely be the first responders, so hands-on rescue training with avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes is imperative and is provided annually.
Excerpted from: Reardon, Blase and Lundy, Chris. 2004. Forecasting for natural avalanches during spring opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, USA. Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop. Jackson, Wyoming. September 19-24, 2004.
Related Links For More Information
- Going to the Sun Road Avalanche Story Map
- Glacier National Park plowing status page provides information on where plows are working during spring plowing season with photos available in the annual flickr album.
- Avalanche forecasts for Flathead National Forest & Glacier National Park - Flathead Avalanche Center
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Science in Glacier National Park
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Overview
As the most popular attraction in Glacier National Park (GNP), the Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses scenic alpine zones and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2026m or 6,647' elevation). The Park closes a 56km (34.8 mile) section of the road each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards. Annual spring opening of the road is a highly anticipated event for visitors and the regional economy is strongly tied to the road’s accessibility. Efforts to open the road each spring rely on a USGS-National Parks Service (NPS) partnership based on the expertise of USGS avalanche scientists, who provide on-site forecasting for NPS plowing efforts. The applied research from ongoing USGS avalanche studies supports forecasting efforts that guide the safety of this hazardous plowing operation.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.It requires heavy machinery to remove snow and debris along the road. In this image, crews are removing 20+ feet of snow from the Rim Rock area near Logan Pass along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Public domain After 12 years of construction, the Going-to-the-Sun-Road (GTTSR) opened in 1933 as a narrow, two-lane road bisecting the park and showcasing 80km (49.7 miles) of stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. The seasonal nature of the road’s accessibility is determined by the avalanche risk that exists in the alpine sections of the road. Snowfall generally closes the road in October and snow removal begins in April, with the road opening, on average, around June 9.
In 2002, GNP instituted its first formal avalanche hazard forecasting program for snow removal operations. For the 2003 season, GNP established a daily forecasting program with two full-time avalanche specialists. During the season, which typically runs from April through June, equipment operators removing snow from the upper 23km (14.3 mile) segment of the GTTSR are exposed to a variety of avalanche hazards, including loose snow avalanches, wet and dry slab avalanches, and glide avalanches. In this road section, the GTTSR lies mid-track in numerous large avalanche paths capable of destructive class 4 slides.
The avalanche paths threatening the GTTSR are predominantly sunny, windward slopes (Figure 3). The paths east of the divide face east through south; those west of the divide face southwest through west. The exceptions are in the bowl-shaped start zones of the larger west-side paths, such as Haystack Creek, Big Bend, and Triple Arches. Parts of these bowls also face west-northwest through northwest. Some west side paths are also shaded each morning by the narrow spine of the Continental Divide known as The Garden Wall, which rises 75-275m (246'-902') above the start zones.
This orientation towards the sun is a significant factor in springtime avalanche conditions. The start zones are subject to direct solar radiation much of the day and temperature swings can be dramatic. The site’s mid-hemisphere latitude (48o 40’ N) and the time of year magnify insolation. Although the latitude means short days and weak insolation in the winter, it makes for longer periods of ever-more intense insolation – and shorter periods of freeze – as the season progresses.
In addition to forecasting, the program also provides real-time snow safety. During the workday, the equipment operators are in avalanche tracks where stability assessment is difficult at best, and it is of utmost importance that they remain focused on the mentally-demanding task of keeping their equipment on the narrow roadbed. Our mobility affords us access to avalanche starting zones above the work area, where we can effectively monitor changing snow conditions during the day. This monitoring provides an additional margin of safety to the crew during periods of rapidly decreasing stability, or it allows them to work longer when the hazard is not increasing as expected.
A map detailing the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the 40+ avalanche paths that can affect the road. The avalanche program has increased avalanche awareness among equipment operators through regular avalanche safety training. Although the plowing crew does not need to understand the intricacies of snow stability evaluation, a working knowledge of avalanche terminology and mechanics provides them with tools to make independent decisions when necessary and establishes a common language for sharing information. Further, in the event of an avalanche incident the equipment operators will likely be the first responders, so hands-on rescue training with avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes is imperative and is provided annually.
Excerpted from: Reardon, Blase and Lundy, Chris. 2004. Forecasting for natural avalanches during spring opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, USA. Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop. Jackson, Wyoming. September 19-24, 2004.
Related Links For More Information
- Going to the Sun Road Avalanche Story Map
- Glacier National Park plowing status page provides information on where plows are working during spring plowing season with photos available in the annual flickr album.
- Avalanche forecasts for Flathead National Forest & Glacier National Park - Flathead Avalanche Center
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Science in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park (GNP) is considered a stronghold for a large diversity of plant and animal species and harbors some of the last remaining populations of threatened and endangered species such as grizzly bear and bull trout, as well as non threatened keystone species such as bighorn sheep and black bear. The mountain ecosystems of GNP that support these species are dynamic and influenced by... - Data
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications