07/17/2020
What does summer look like to you? If you're visiting Logan Pass now that Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, your summer could look a lot like this!
In some places in Glacier, you can find snow virtually every month of the year. That's partially thanks to the fact that high-elevation areas like Logan Pass are usually 10-15°F cooler than lower-elevation areas of the park. But even up high, snow sticks around in some areas longer than others. ❄️
One of the biggest influences on how fast snow will melt is what direction it's "facing." Whether a slope faces north, east, south, or west dramatically affects how much sunlight and warmth it receives! ☀️
On the equator, the sun passes directly overhead throughout the day. In the northern hemisphere, the sun passes overhead in the southern half of the sky, shining more light on south-facing slopes than north-facing ones. It's also warmer in the afternoon than in the morning, leading west-facing slopes to receive more heat than east-facing ones.
Put it all together, and you'll need to plan on encountering snow whenever you visit the high country. Sometimes, like with the Hidden Lake Overlook hike pictured here, snow is safe to travel over. Other times, high-angle snowfields can even prevent a trail from opening until they're cleared manually—like with the currently closed Highline Trail.
Check online or with a Ranger ahead of time if you're planning an alpine adventure! For up to date information on what's open in the park, visit our Status Update Page here: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/statusupdate.htm
This photo of hikers on the snow-covered Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, captured from a high vantage point with a telephoto lens, was taken on the traditional land of the Amskapi Piikuni, Kootenai, Selis, and Qlispe People in 2018. 📍
