![]() ![]() ![]() This orientation towards the sun is a significant factor in springtime avalanche conditions. 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. ![]() Parts of these bowls also face west-northwest through northwest. The exceptions are in the bowl-shaped start zones of the larger west-side paths, such as Haystack Creek, Big Bend, and Triple Arches. The paths east of the divide face east through south those west of the divide face southwest through west. The avalanche paths threatening the GTTSR are predominantly sunny, windward slopes (Figure 3). In this road section, the GTTSR lies mid-track in numerous large avalanche paths capable of destructive class 4 slides. 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. For the 2003 season, GNP established a daily forecasting program with two full-time avalanche specialists. In 2002, GNP instituted its first formal avalanche hazard forecasting program for snow removal operations. Snowfall generally closes the road in October and snow removal begins in April, with the road opening, on average, around June 9. Public domainĪfter 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. 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. It requires heavy machinery to remove snow and debris along the road. ![]()
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