Some might not be able to wrap their minds around why it takes so long to open Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. I know it was hard for me to comprehend.

In all likelihood, even with less snow this year than in past years, the 53-mile road that traverses Glacier National Park may not be open until the middle of June.

So far they have only plowed two miles of the road on the east side, which is the closest entry point for yours truly. On the west side near Apgar the plows have only progressed three or four miles. To make matters worse, they will be working on the road this year and will not open the road past Logan Pass until the work is completed. And there have been approximately seven or eight fatalities in the region as a result of avalanches; three times more than died in all of North America last year from bear attacks.

Despite the road being closed, though, the views from the perimeter of the park are still awe inspiring.

These videos might give you a better sense of the challenges facing snow removal crews at Glacier National Park:

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