Heather Mountain’s long, slow slide continues

Heather Mountain, near the East Gate of Glacier National Park, is once again shedding rock, mud and trees.

So far this year, the long, slow slide, which began on May 21, has only caused limited periodic delays of up to 20 minutes, according to a statement from Parks Canada’s Partnering and Engagement Officer Tania Peterson.

The mountain began shedding its north face at this same time of year back in 2007. At that time the mud closed the TCH for a number of days as Parks Canada staff worked to clear it.

In 2009 Parks Canada built a catchment basin to help reduce the risk of mudslides hitting the TCH. The catchment basin is proving effective in collecting mudslide debris while Parks Canada Highway Service Centre crews are busy working around the clock using back hoes and front loaders to clear out the basin and ensure it can continue to collect more debris.

However, due to the unpredictable nature of the mud flow, longer disruptions or closures are possible.

Here, courtesy of Parks Canada are some photos of this year’s slide action:

Mud fills the ditch and sluices across the Trans-Canada Highway at Heather Mountain near the East Gate of Glacier National Park. The mountain has been the scene of some wicked mudslides as the north face of the mountain is slowly sliding down into the valley. The most recent slide has caused periodic 20-minute delays as work crews struggle to clear the liquified earth. Don Roy photo courtesy of Parks Canada
Here's a view from above of crews working to clear the mud. Don Roy photo courtesy of Parks Canada
Work crews clear debris from the ditch along the TCH. Don Roy photo courtesy of Parks Canada
And here is the mountain responsible for the landslides. As you can see, the entire north face of the mountain is slowly coming down. Don Roy photo courtesy of Parks Canada

 

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