Plow crews toiling along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park encountered 19 avalanches and rock slides after last week’s round of storms dumped heavy rain and snow on the mountains lining the alpine route.

Park spokesman Tim Rains said Thursday afternoon that crews on the east side were on track to finish plowing through the rest of the Big Drift by the week’s end.

However, he noted that rain had been falling steadily at park headquarters throughout the afternoon.

“They were on track, but with the weather we’ve had today it could delay it,” he said.

Motorists looking forward to the annual opening of Sun Road to Logan Pass may have to wait a bit longer than previously hoped. Rains said given recent storms, opening day likely will come in mid- to late June.

Along with clearing the fresh foot of snow reported in the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking lot, park employees have also been busy installing hundreds of removable wooden guardrails along the cliff-side stretches of road before it becomes accessible to vehicles.

The west-side vehicle closure is expected to remain at Avalanche through the weekend, Rains said, giving bicyclists and hikers exclusive access farther up the road with a hot and sunny forecast stretching through the next few days.

Plow crews aren’t working on weekends, but during weekday hours visitors are restricted from accessing the full stretch of pavement so staffers can safely operate machinery closer to the pass.

From the St. Mary entrance, motorists can venture as far as Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Reporter Sam Wilson may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.