Mastodawn

Inside the Decades-Long Partnership Keeping Iconic Glacier National Park Road Safe [incl. video]
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https://www.usgs.gov/programs/ecosystems-land-change-science-program/science/video-inside-decades-long-partnership <-- shared technical article / video
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[I have been fortunate to ride and drive up and down this road, although not in the winter; a truly great experience and an impressive piece of road construction, especially as an engineering geologist]
#USGS #AvalancheForecasting #GlacierNationalPark #ScienceInAction #Transportation #risk #hazard #avalanche #SunRoad #GoingToTheSunRoad #GlacierNationalPark #infrastructure #fedscience #publicsafety #transportation #engineeringeology #forecasting #commerce #USA #Montana #landslide #massmovement #snow #climate #IntermountainWest
#USGS #NPS #USFS

Video: Inside the Decades-Long Partnership Keeping Iconic Glacier National Park Road Safe

As the most popular attraction in Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) traverses scenic alpine zones and crosses the Continental Divide. The park closes a section of GTSR each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards. Since 2003, efforts to open the road each spring rely on a USGS-National Park Service partnership based on the expertise of USGS avalanche scientists, who provide on-site avalanche forecasting. The applied research from ongoing USGS avalanche studies supports forecasting efforts that guide the safety of this hazardous road opening operation each year.

USGS

AI6YR Ben Jan 1

U.S. Forest Service Issues Trail Closures at Mt. Baldy Following Public Safety Concerns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 31, 2025

U.S. Forest Service Issues Trail Closures at Mt. Baldy Following
Public Safety Concerns

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — The U.S. Forest Service, in coordination with local authorities, has issued a temporary closure of select trails at Mt. Baldy. Effective 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2026, through January 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., the following trails will be closed:

Forest System Trail No. 7W12 – Mt. Baldy Trail
Forest System Trail No. 7W02 – Mt. Baldy Bowl Trail
Forest System Trail No. 7W05 – Devil’s Backbone Trail
Forest System Trail No. 7W06 – Three T’s Trail
Forest System Trail No. 7W07 – Icehouse Canyon Trail
Forest System Trail No. 7W07A – Chapman Trail
Forest System Trail No. 7W08 – Ontario Peak Trail

This proactive measure follows the recent, tragic discovery of three deceased individuals in the area. Due to extreme environmental hazards and the current risk to hikers, these closures are being implemented to prevent further loss of life.

“Our primary responsibility is the preservation of life,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus. “Closing these trails is a necessary step to mitigate ongoing risks. We urge the community to respect these boundaries.”

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

The Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Forest Service express their deepest gratitude to the community for its cooperation during this difficult time. For real-time updates on trail status, please visit the San Bernardino National Forest website at Home | San Bernardino National Forest | Forest Service.

#MtBaldy #USFS #Baldy #Hiking