Thursday, May 28, 2015

Going-to-the-Sun Congestion and How to Deal with It

“Really!?!  That’s the third shuttle!”
The Highline Trail- one of the most congested hikes in Glacier
We were all frustrated as we watched yet another shuttle full of hikers pull out and head up toward Logan Pass.  We had parked at “the Loop” in hopes of getting a shuttle to the top of Logan Pass so we could hike the famed Highline Trail back down to our car.  Many of us had waited 45 minutes and seen three full shuttles go by.  Our small group of three and another group of two had a time crunch in the afternoon so without wasting more time we set off to hike the Highline Trail in reverse.  We found out later, the next shuttle arrived within ten minutes of our departure with several open seats. But by then we were long gone, enjoying the scenery, making record time and getting a great work-out while doing it.  We made it to Logan Pass, shuttled back down to our cars and arrived back to town in time to see our new niece. 

The "clean-up crew" before all the cars get to Logan Pass parking lot
A record 2.34 Million people visited Glacier National Park last year!  While that may be good news for area businesses that cater to tourists, those of us who want to travel on the famed Going-to-the-Sun scenic highway may find the roadway a little crowded.  The road is becoming so crowded that Park officails recently asked for public comment on five different proposals designed to lower congestion.  Several of the proposals include provisions for expansion of the shuttlesystem and one shuts it down entirely.  A couple of the proposals implement a reservation system for Going-to-the-Sun Highway during July and August.  Two of the proposals also include a provision for bike only days.  Whichever one they choose, it will likely look very different in a couple years, but none of these changes will take place until 2017.

So what does all this congestion mean for you, coming to Glacier this summer?  Well, you essentially have 4 choices: park shuttles, personal vehicle, cycling or the Red Bus Tour

In spite of the wait time sometimes involved, park shuttles are your most reliable option if you want to hike for a few hours.  This is because once you’re on the shuttle; you don’t have to look for parking.  If you take your personal vehicle and can’t find parking you don’t have the option of circling around to vulture-park because the road is too narrow to turn around! 

Siyeh Bend Pull-off early in the day
The best part about driving your personal vehicle is that you can actually stop and take pictures if (and that’s a big if) there’s an open pull-out.  You also have the option of driving through Logan Pass (meaning you don’t have to come back the way you came).  Besides the uncertain parking situation, another downside is that the driver usually doesn’t enjoy the scenery because the narrow, congested, high-consequence road demands most of his attention. 

Until they have bike only days, your best bet cycling is in the early and late hours of daylight (I have friends who bike up under the light of the full moon).  I have never biked on the road during heavy traffic, but I pray for bikers that do.

The Red Bus Tour (and by bus I mean four rows of seating) is probably the best sight-seeing option.  The drivers are informed, engaging and even funny.  There aren’t quite as many photo opportunities as if you drive yourself, but if the bus is stopped(as it often is due to traffic and construction)  you can stand up and take a picture because the roof is retracted (weather permitting). 


Written by Matt Harrington- Marketing Specialist at the BestWestern Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites


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