The coming of spring brings a symphony of sound to Northwest Montana, be it the songs of birds returning north or the chorus of a babbling brook released from the icy hold of winter. But perhaps the most telling sound is the anthem of plow trucks being revved up to clear Glacier National Park’s iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Last week, Glacier employees began plowing roads on the east side of the park. The route to Many Glacier is the first to be plowed this season to aid in the rehabilitation efforts at the hotel. Once that road is cleared, the plows will turn their attention to the 50-mile Sun Road, the highway that connects West Glacier to St. Mary. West-side plowing is expected to begin during the first week of April; east-side plowing will start the week after. Both plow crews work their way over the mountains until they meet around Logan Pass later in the spring. Last year, the Sun Road opened on June 16.

The only section of the Sun Road currently open to automotive traffic is between Apgar and the Lake McDonald Lodge.

Plow crews are also starting to work on clearing the Chief Mountain and Two Medicine Roads on the east side and the Camas Road on the west side.

Visit www.nps.gov/glac for the latest road conditions in Glacier National Park.