Mudslide slogs travel on key route in Glacier National Park

Traffic on the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road near Apgar Campground in Glacier National Park, Mont., is diverted because of a mudslide to one lane Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Park officials say beavers are to blame for the third straight day the road has been closed due to a mudslide, dragging trees and debris into the street. (Tommy Martino/The Missoulian via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT Traffic on the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road near Apgar Campground in Glacier National Park, Mont., is diverted because of a mudslide to one lane Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Park officials say beavers are to blame for the third straight day the road has been closed due to a mudslide, dragging trees and debris into the street. (Tommy Martino/The Missoulian via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press May 26, 2016 2 min read

WEST GLACIER, Mont. (AP) – For tourists trying to get to some sights in Glacier National Park, it’s been a dam inconvenience.

Travel along part of a popular route through the Montana landmark was limited for the third straight day Thursday after heavy rains caused a large beaver dam to fail and wash debris down a hillside, rangers said.

The mudslide dragged dozens of trees and debris onto the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side of the park, close to some heavily used sights such as Lake McDonald, Lake McDonald Lodge, Apgar Visitor Center, Apgar Campground and various hiking trails.

Park officials hope to have the section of road fully cleared for the Memorial Day weekend, The Missoulian newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/1UfCRFi ).

“We’re at Mother Nature’s whim, and this is what we’re being dealt,” park spokeswoman Margie Steigerwald said.