Two closures in Glacier National Park will have an impact on climbing: Mt. St. Nick area and later sections in the Many Glacier valley.
St. Nick Closure [Now Lifted]
[This closure has been lifted as of 8/24/24.]
First, the current Muir Creek fire has an area closure that includes Mount St. Nicholas and Salvage Mountain. While the Coal Creek and Park Creek trails remain open at this point, given the possible direction of the fire, if it blows up quickly with the coming heat this weekend, it could well burn around both of those peaks.
The closure was instituted on 7/26/24 and lifted on 8/24/24. Check back on the Muir Creek fire page on Inciweb to see more fire information.
Swiftcurrent Area Closure
The second closure to be aware of is in the Many Glacier valley, starting on September 16, 2024 and continuing until sometime in the spring of 2026. Trail and climbing access will still be available this autumn and throughout 2025, but parking in the valley will be limited and access to the Iceberg and Red Rock trails will involve a bit more mileage. While the Many Glacier Hotel will be open in 2025 with its parking, the Many Glacier Campground will be closed and other parking will be very limited. Plan you climbs accordingly!
From Glacier’s project work web page: “Starting September 16, 2024, the road past Many Glacier Hotel at the T-intersection will be closed due to construction on the Swiftcurrent Water Distribution System and Swiftcurrent Spur Road rehabilitation. Construction will begin after Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, and Many Glacier Campground are closed for the 2024 season.
Trail access will still be allowed for trails such as Ptarmigan Tunnel (and points beyond), Iceberg Lake, and Swiftcurrent Pass. However, visitors will need to park in the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot, walk to the closure point and use the horse trail to bypass construction. Signs will indicate the detour. Cars will not be able to pass through the construction zone. For best access to Grinnell and Lake Josephine Trails, start from the South Shore Trailhead at the south end of Many Glacier Hotel.”