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JOURNEY TO THE SUN
THE DOCUMENTARY
Journey to the Sun, a film production by Lefler Brothers Media
In the vast wilderness of Montana's Glacier National Park, the Going to the Sun Road stands as a testament to human determination and nature's majesty. Born from ancient Native American trails, this engineering marvel was carved into the park's rugged landscape in the 1930s, amid debates over balancing public access with environmental preservation. As it winds its way through the heart of the park, crossing the Continental Divide, the road not only offers breathtaking views but also serves as a vital artery for local economies reliant on summer tourism.
As winter's grip loosens over Glacier National Park, a monumental task begins; with plow crews facing the formidable challenge of clearing deep snow and potential avalanches along 51 miles of road to make the path safe for summer visitors. Their dedication to this annual ritual
underscores the enduring spirit of those who work tirelessly to maintain this critical link between humanity and the wilderness.
The road's construction in the early thirties was a groundbreaking collaboration between the
National Park Service and the Federal Highway Commission, setting new standards for
integrating infrastructure into natural landscapes. This endeavor was not just about creating a
road; it was about crafting an experience that would allow people to immerse themselves in
the untamed beauty of Glacier National Park without leaving a lasting scar on its environment.
However, the story of the Going to the Sun Road is not without its challenges. Climate change
poses a growing threat to the park's glaciers and ecosystems, with shifting weather patterns
making the road's maintenance increasingly difficult. The melting of glaciers, once thought to
be eternal, stands as a stark reminder of the environmental changes affecting the park;
highlighting the fragile balance between nature and the encroachments of modern life.
Despite these challenges, the road remains a symbol of unity and perseverance. It brings
together people from all walks of life, offering them a chance to experience the park's stunning
landscapes and learn about the Native American cultures that have long stewarded these lands.
The road's annual reopening is a communal event that celebrates the shared commitment to
preserving this unique conduit through the wild, attended by tribal elders, locals, and visitors
alike.
This road is more than just a route through Glacier National Park; it is a narrative of inspiration
and caution, a reflection on our relationship with the environment. It serves as a beacon of
hope for future conservation efforts, underscoring the importance of preserving such treasures
for the enjoyment and education of future generations. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a legacy
of beauty and stewardship, a call to honor and protect the natural wonders that enrich our lives
and bind us to the earth.
As winter's grip loosens over Glacier National Park, a monumental task begins; with plow crews facing the formidable challenge of clearing deep snow and potential avalanches along 51 miles of road to make the path safe for summer visitors. Their dedication to this annual ritual
underscores the enduring spirit of those who work tirelessly to maintain this critical link between humanity and the wilderness.
The road's construction in the early thirties was a groundbreaking collaboration between the
National Park Service and the Federal Highway Commission, setting new standards for
integrating infrastructure into natural landscapes. This endeavor was not just about creating a
road; it was about crafting an experience that would allow people to immerse themselves in
the untamed beauty of Glacier National Park without leaving a lasting scar on its environment.
However, the story of the Going to the Sun Road is not without its challenges. Climate change
poses a growing threat to the park's glaciers and ecosystems, with shifting weather patterns
making the road's maintenance increasingly difficult. The melting of glaciers, once thought to
be eternal, stands as a stark reminder of the environmental changes affecting the park;
highlighting the fragile balance between nature and the encroachments of modern life.
Despite these challenges, the road remains a symbol of unity and perseverance. It brings
together people from all walks of life, offering them a chance to experience the park's stunning
landscapes and learn about the Native American cultures that have long stewarded these lands.
The road's annual reopening is a communal event that celebrates the shared commitment to
preserving this unique conduit through the wild, attended by tribal elders, locals, and visitors
alike.
This road is more than just a route through Glacier National Park; it is a narrative of inspiration
and caution, a reflection on our relationship with the environment. It serves as a beacon of
hope for future conservation efforts, underscoring the importance of preserving such treasures
for the enjoyment and education of future generations. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a legacy
of beauty and stewardship, a call to honor and protect the natural wonders that enrich our lives
and bind us to the earth.
Journey to the Sun is produced by Lefler Brothers Media in partnership with Montana PBS and supported by grants and generous contributions from individual supporters.
JOURNEY TO THE SUN
DIRECTED BY
JORDAN AND LOGAN LEFLER
RUNTIME
60 MINUTES
PRODUCED BY
LEFLER BROTHERS MEDIA
FILMING LOCATION
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA, USA
FORMAT
4K 16:9 WIDESCREEN
SPONSOR
MONTANA PBS
JOURNEY TO THE SUN
OFFICIAL FILM TRAILER
JOURNEY TO THE SUN - OFFICIAL FILM TRAILER
The Blackfeet legend tells of Sour Spirit, a deity who came down from the sun to teach the tribe hunting skills and whose image is on the mountain.
JOURNEY TO THE SUN
HISTORY OF THE ROAD TO THE SUN
Engineering Marvel Against Impossible Odds
Construction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road began in 1921 and was completed in 1932, with formal dedication in 1933, at a cost of $2.5 million. The project required 490,000 pounds of explosives and carved this 50-mile engineering marvel directly into Glacier National Park's precipitous cliffs, literally hanging 12 miles of roadway off mountainsides. Designed by highway engineer Frank Kittredge, the route includes the dramatic Garden Wall section and required only a single switchback instead of the originally planned 15, making it one of the most spectacular mountain highways ever built.
Deadly Risks and Human Sacrifice
Construction workers, armed only with shovels, hammers, hemp climbing ropes and explosives, built scaffolding and trestles that hung out into space, hauled supplies on horseback and scaled 100-foot ladders while blasting through mountainsides at a rate of 100 feet per day. Three men died during construction and many more resigned in the face of difficult and vertigo-inducing work, while laborers moved mind-boggling quantities of trees, stumps, and rocks to complete this impossible feat. The treacherous conditions and extreme engineering challenges made this one of the most dangerous construction projects of its era.
Modern-Day Battle Against Nature
Today, the Park closes a 34.8-mile section of the road each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards, with annual spring opening being a highly anticipated event for visitors and the regional economy. Each spring, beginning in March, a crew of around 20 people including avalanche forecasters and heavy equipment operators work to plow, scoop and dump thousands of tons of snow each day, with the Big Drift section accumulating up to 80 feet of snow. Since modern operations began, dozens of avalanches crash onto the road each season, requiring crews to repeatedly clear the same sections in a Sisyphean battle against Mother Nature, while USGS avalanche scientists provide critical safety forecasting for this hazardous operation. The road typically opens fully by late June, allowing visitors to experience what remains one of America's most spectacular and hard-won transportation achievements.
Your donation helps preserve the untold story of America's most legendary mountain road and the heroes who risk everything to keep it open, before climate change and disappearing glaciers make this irreplaceable connection to our wilderness—and the story itself—lost forever.
JOURNEY TO THE SUN
BEHIND THE SCENES
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