MT 49, East side of Glacier NP ?????

[CND_SuperCrew]

We will be coming from the north to head into Glacier NP, I'm curious to know if MT 49 is okay to pull through, or by-passing into Browning like the map?

Thanks

MT Route

[mfinnerty]

MT49 is dicey even in a car!

[paulj]

I found that length sign on Streetview - at least for south bound traffic on US89.

http://www.canyonchasers.net/maps/results.php?id=27
This motorcycle site describes 49 as 'fairly technical'. Partly that's due to the curves, but more to the road surface, which is gravel in spots due to winter wear.

It's also called Looking Glass Hill Road.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana_Highway_49
says it was part of US2 before a major bridge was put of Two Medicine Creek (1941). There is a brand new bridge with a wider deck.
http://aspirebridge.com/magazine/2013Winter/TwoMedicine.pdf

GM Streetview crosses the old bridge with the new construction just to the south:
https://maps.google.com/?ll=48.450496,-113.206043&spn=0.0608,0.112953&t=h&z=13&layer=c&cbll=48.45052...

[CloudDriver]

A few years ago we took route 89 south out of East Glacier. I had planned to use route 49 as a shortcut to get to route 2 but found that there was a vehicle size restriction on 49 when we got to the intersection. Our 24ft MH wasn't allowed, so we continued to Browning to get to route 2.

[bradyk]

We are regulars going thru there and go from Calgary that same way to start. I have done that route a couple times but the road is winding and slow going with a lot of bicylcles especially in summer. We now always use the Duck Lake road as mentioned. Much quicker nice and straight with only rolling hills so you can make good time. Then head across at Browning to hit the south east or west side of the park.

[rv2go]

Not knowing any better, I did it once in the MH. Now I use the Duck Lake Rd as the above poster gives.

[paulj]

Many posters recommend MT464 (Duck Lake Rd) over the part of US89 south of St Marys. 464 runs straighter and flatter, while 89 winds through the foothills.

My personal experience in a car was that this part of 89 was ok, except that I drove it at the end of a full day's drive, and it was tiring.

I have not driven MT49, but on Google Maps (terrain and streetview) if appears to be as windy as 89. It looks scenic, and would be fun in a car, but might not be in a large RV.

So 464 and US2 is the straightest, flattest way to get to the south and west side of the park. Keep in mind, though, that the park is on both sides of the divide, even though the main facilities are on the west.

AB/BC 3 is another way to the west side of Glacier.