A file photo of Plowing the Sun Road, 2008.

Park plow crews were expected to start clearing the Chief Mountain Road this week and the target date for starting the Sun Road on the west side at Lake McDonald Lodge is April 1. April 1 is a Wednesday. Last year the road opened completely on July 2, the latest peacetime opening ever (it opened later one year during WWII.) Last spring was very snowy and cold and while spring is officially a few days away, we haven't had much warm weather. There is fresh snow on the ground this morning, though temps could get into the 50s by the weekend, though it's supposed to rain or snow as well, depending on the elevation.