Choosing a Route

Choosing a Route (HM2217)

Location: West Glacier, MT 59936 Flathead County
Buy Montana State flags at Flagstore.com!
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 48° 45.289', W 113° 48.019'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 293 views
Inscription
Mastery over nature or blend with the environment...two different philosophies represented by two different routes.

After the establishment of Glacier National Park efforts began on constructing a road to provide access to the interior of the park. One route, proposed by National Park Service Chief Engineer George Goodwin, climbed Logan Pass through a series of 15 switchbacks. It was considered easier to construct and would provide a statement of man's mastery over nature. The other route, proposed by National Park Service Landscape Architect Thomas Vint, consisted of one long switchback, "hanging" along the Garden Wall. It required more stone masonry retaining walls and would be more difficult to build, but would blend into the mountainside and provide sweeping vistas.

National Park Service Director Stephen T. Mather enlisted U. S. Bureau of Public Roads engineer Frank Kittredge to conduct a feasibility survey of the two routes. He found the wider curves, lower 6% grade, and aesthetic appeal of the Vint proposal more desirable. Even though it was more expensive, Mather selected the Vint route because it was a better design with fewer impacts and would truly make the interior of the park more accessible to the public.

Part of the appeal of driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road today is to step back in time and experience the same stone masonry features, original alignment, and the historic look and feel that the road had when it was completed in 1932.
Details
HM NumberHM2217
Tags
Placed ByNational Park Service
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Friday, October 6th, 2017 at 4:01pm PDT -07:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)12U E 294184 N 5403983
Decimal Degrees48.75481667, -113.80031667
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 48° 45.289', W 113° 48.019'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds48° 45' 17.34" N, 113° 48' 1.1399999999999" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)406
Closest Postal AddressAt or near Going-To-The-Sun Rd, West Glacier MT 59936, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Nearby Markersshow on map
Stephen Tyng Mather
5.56 miles
Horns
5.57 miles
Overnight in the Wilderness
7.15 miles
When the Glaciers Melt
7.15 miles
Historic Boats
10.14 miles
Wilderness Architecture
10.16 miles
Time Machines
10.17 miles
A Glacial Lake
10.59 miles
Oil & Architecture
21.15 miles
Waterton
21.15 miles
Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. Is this marker part of a series?
  2. What historical period does the marker represent?
  3. What historical place does the marker represent?
  4. What type of marker is it?
  5. What class is the marker?
  6. What style is the marker?
  7. Does the marker have a number?
  8. What year was the marker erected?
  9. This marker needs at least one picture.
  10. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  11. Is the marker in the median?