One Of America’s most scenic highways, when completed
Going-to-the-Sun Road became the
first major trans-mountain scenic highway in the United States. Stretching from the east to the west gates of Glacier National Park,
Going-to-the-Sun Road, nearly 50 miles in length, took 11 years to be completed. With construction beginning in 1921, it was not until 1932 that the first car journeyed the complete route from the west gate of Glacier National Park to the east gate at St. Mary. It wasn't until the following year that, with both U.S. and Canadian dignitaries on hand,
Going-to-the-Sun Road was officially opened on July 15, 1933.
Passing through some of the most awesome and beautiful mountain scenery in the country as it climbs toward, then descends from, the Continental Divide, Going-to-the-Sun Road has become one of the Northwest's most popular back country mountain roads, as well as having been declared a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Scenic Byways in Western Montana
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road received its official name during its 1933 dedication at Logan Pass, borrowing its name from nearby Going-to-the-Sun Mountain. Taking 11 years to compete (from 1921 – 1932), this engineering marvel is also a National Historic Landmark. Taking visitors through the heart of the pass, you travel past the Garden Wall, cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass at 6,646 feet before reaching St. Mary.
Visitors can travel the road via their private car, aboard the parks' free shuttle system (early July - early September) or on an interpretive tour inside a historic red jammer with Xanterra or with Sun Tours. There are numerous scenic viewpoints and pullouts along the road, offering visitors plentiful photography opportunities. Hiking trails can also be accessed at various points along the road.
Additional recreation opportunities on the Going-to-the-Sun Road include recreational bicycling, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.
From the Glacier Scenic Byways
FIRST - Major Trans-mountain Scenic Highway in the U.S.
When completed, the Going-to-the-Sun Road was the first major trans-mountain scenic highway in the United States.
Considered one of the world's most scenic mountain drives, the two-lane Going-To-The-Sun Road through Glacier National Park was the first major road to be constructed directly over high mountain terrain, proving that roads did not need to be limited to mountain passes.
Glacier National Park was established in 1910. At the time, the road system included several wagon paths on the west side of the park and a 35-mile rough road on the east. But it wasn't until 1917 that Stephen T. Mather, Director of the National Park Service, suggested the construction of a highway over the Continental Divide. Going-to-the-Sun Road connects the eastern and western portions of the park, providing vehicular access to areas that previously could only be reached by foot or horseback.
From ASCE