Grinnell Glacier Trail: A Scenic Adventure in Glacier National Park

Embark on a journey through Glacier National Park's Grinnell Glacier Trail for an unforgettable experience of vibrant lakes, diverse wildlife, and majestic glacier views.

Last updated: May 2024

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Description

Embark on a journey through Glacier National Park's Grinnell Glacier Trail for an unforgettable experience of vibrant lakes, diverse wildlife, and majestic glacier views. The Grinnell Glacier Trail, nestled in the heart of Glacier National Park, offers an unparalleled hiking experience. This trail, stretching over 11 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet, presents hikers with the beauty of crystalline turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, and towering peaks. The journey starts at the Many Glacier picnic area, winding through the serene shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and the rugged terrain of Lake Josephine, climaxing at the breathtaking Grinnell Glacier and Lake. The trail's moderate difficulty makes it accessible to a wide range of hikers, promising sightings of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and possibly grizzlies. The trail's popularity, known as the "Grinnell highway," ensures a well-maintained path but also company along the way. For an alternate route, a boat shuttle from Many Glacier Hotel offers a shortcut, reducing the hike by 3.5 miles. This trail is a must-do for its stunning views and the chance to witness the grandeur of Grinnell Glacier up close.

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Itinerary

Start at the Many Glacier picnic area, following the trail along Swiftcurrent Lake.
Continue past Lake Josephine, with the trail gradually inclining.
Enjoy the open meadows with views of Grinnell Falls and the surrounding peaks.
Arrive at the picnic area near the trail's end for a rest before the final ascent.
Tackle the steep and rocky moraine leading to Grinnell Glacier and Lake.
Return via the same route or opt for the boat shuttle for a different perspective.

Location

Glacier National Park, Montana

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Packing List

Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
Bear spray for safety
Water and snacks for the journey
Sunscreen and sun protection gear
Camera to capture the breathtaking views
Rain gear, as weather can change rapidly

4.9 ● Google reviews

Amazing hike! Took 5 hours and ~10 miles total. Did get the return boat on the way back. Only saw rams and chipmunks. The weather was a variety. Got warm, then cold, then rainy. Once at the glacier it was raining and got very chilly. Overall was a beautiful experience. Was super sore for like 2 days after the hike! Def was strenuous but I don’t exercise or hike regularly so I would say this is a challenging but definitely doable hike. Did on 9/14/24, started at 12pm and only drove around parking lot 1 time and got a parking spot. Was a cloudy / chilly day.

The most incredible hike we’ve ever done. Spectacular views the entire time, and we even got to see a bear! We started from the parking lot instead of taking the boat, and it’s gorgeous but definitely exhausting by the end. The last 1 to 1 1/2 miles to the glacier are very steep. Highly recommend taking the boat if possible - it will help save some energy, even if you miss out on a few nice views.

One word for this hike: incredible! This hike allows you to walk by 2 lakes and get a birds-eye view of 3 lakes from the mountainside! The water is crystal clear and the turquoise shade of Grinnell lake is phenomenal! The hike itself is uphill the whole way, but it won't get too steep until the last half mile where you encounter large steps to take you up yo the glacier itself! Having the ability to get up close and personal with a glacier is such a humbling experience. Carry your bear spray! There were 2x sightings of bear on our norning hike, and we saw some bighorn sheep rams having an argument at the picnic area lol. Enjoy the hike! It's totally worth it! But get here early!! Lot is full by 7:30am

Incredible hike up to Grinnell Glacier! Incredible views of 3 lakes. A lot of elevation and stairs make it a tough hike. Take sunscreen and chapstick as you are exposed on the side of a mountain and the wind is relentless! Plan on 6-1/2 hours and 13 miles up and back. We saw Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats.

We have been coming to Glacier National Park for years but never have visited this part of the park before. So sad that it has taken so long for us to enjoy the beauty of this area. We took a short hike starting from the trailhead, stopping at the head of Josephine lake and then back to the Many Glacier Hotel. It is an easy hike with well worn trails that I would recommend to anyone looking to soak in a bit of nature.

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