The last few miles of the Hay Creek Road (Road 376) have been closed to vehicle traffic since early last year due to a couple of massive “slumps” that spilled across the road, burying everything in their path, including the drainage culverts. The west end of the road has been essentially impassible until last week when the Forest Service reopened it on a temporary basis.
According to Hungry Horse/Glacier View District Ranger Rob Davies, “Hay Creek road has been cleared and is drive-able. Our engineers were up there yesterday [Tuesday, Aug 26] and used heavy equipment to clear the slump area and make it passable. There is not a long term fix in place yet. It will likely slough more material on to the road again next spring or after a heavy rain event. Our ability to get a contract for the long fix was not possible this year but we will try to put together a contract for next year.”
Bottom line: The road is passable for vehicles with adequate ground clearance, but will likely be closed again by next spring.
The first slump is located just before the eight-mile marker, a little over two miles past the gate; the second is just shy of mile 9. Both have muddy sections that are likely to get worse over time.
Photos . . .
