Grinnell Glacier Trail is an out-and-back trail, meaning the way you head out is going to be the same way you come back in. The first begins at the Many Glacier Picnic area, travels around the western shore of Swiftcurrent Lake and then follows the North Shore Lake Josephine trail for 0.8 miles to the Grinnell Glacier trail, which bears right, climbing through meadows and stands of trees above the lake. Hiking Grinnell Glacier. The total mileage is about 11 miles, and the average elevation gain per mile is around 484 feet. There will also be a gem colored lake sitting at the base of the glacier, which will make you believe in fairy-tales, or maybe that blue Gatorade comes from someplace other than a … The trail begins from the Grinnell Glacier trailhead that is located on Continental Divide Trail. Grinnell Glacier Hiking Trail in Many Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT - This popular hike, with fabulous views of the Cataract and Grinnell valleys, climbs through pretty meadows and along rock ledges to Upper Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier, cradled in a dramatic cirque along the Continental Divide. However, there is an option that cuts off about 3.4 miles of that total roundtrip mileage. A challenging hike will allow you to see Grinnell Glacier, probably the most famous and certainly the most photographed glacier within the park. At roughly four-tenths of a mile from the boat landing hikers will reach the Grinnell Glacier Trail. Level: Moderate Day Hike. Gould towering overhead with the beautiful Grinnell Falls coming from the glacier. We were on the Grinnell Glacier Trail, and there was a 20-foot-tall boulder sticking out. There is also a parking spot there, it’s small in size so should you reach early to get a nice parking spot. This article is based on a hike I took with a group, Sunday, July 31st, 2005 on Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park; a 11 - 12 mile roundtrip hike considered by most to be moderate in difficulty. Grinnell Glacier is the most frequently visited glacier in Glacier National Park with an incredible trail along the way. Hiking to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park is a bucket list item! The trail … With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Easiest remaining glacier to hike to in the park. Glacier National Park is a habitat for many great animals that you would not be able to spot elsewhere. Round-trip the trail … The trail to that point was mostly flat and followed along the lakeshores. And the Grinnell Glacier Trail always ranks high among the best trails in the park. You'll be able to see the glacier best if you take the trailhead that is just over 5 mi (8 km) long, with 1,600 ft (480 m) of elevation gain. The hike up to Grinnell Glacier is a straightforward but high trek from the popular hiking base of Many Glacier up to the largest glacier in the National Park. The glaciers, some of the few remaining at Glacier National Park, are located in the Many Glacier region on the east side of the park. The route was one of the many reasons naturalist George Bird Grinnell was so attracted to the area. This trail takes you to the Continental Divide. The Grinnell Glacier Trail is gorgeous, and that in itself is worth the trip! Grinnell Lake Trail [CLOSED] is a 7.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Babb, Montana that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Image Use. Help keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. The first two miles follow the north shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine (Boat rides across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine can shorten the hike to about 7 miles). If you don’t get a spot to park, you can park at any of the lodges. Most of the repeat photography images available on this website are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Most hikers visiting the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park in Montana come to experience the Grinnell Glacier Trail or trek to Iceberg Lake. Preface. Filmed on a late June hike on Grinnell Glacier Trail in perfect weather. Swiftcurrent Pass 6.8 mi (10.9 km) Elevation gain: 2,300 ft (701 m) There’s a short seasonal window when hikers can reach the glacier. Length: 10.3 miles Trailhead: Follow the Many Glacier Road straight ahead until you see clearly marked signs for the Grinnell Glacier Trail. To Grinnell Glacier. After four hours hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail and with the roar of a waterfall from glacial runoff in the backdrop, there they were: the three patches of ice known as the Grinnell, Salamander, and Gem glaciers. The trail climbs through stunning alpine scenery to the edge of Upper Grinnell Lake, with a view across Grinnell Glacier to the Salamander ice shelf. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. Grinnell Lake Trail offers a level hike along a string of glacier-fed lakes. When to Go: June to September. Access the start of this route from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead parking area, west of Swiftcurrent Lake. Grinnell Glacier Trail is about 17 km heavily trafficked out and back trail located near East Glacier Park, Montana that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Once at the end of the lakes, the elevation begins. Grinnell Glacier – 10.3mi / 16.5km. She could've reached out and touched its snout. It was within 5 feet of her, and she could see that it … Jenna was about to walk around it when the bear turned the corner. The trail hugs Grinnell Mountain and gives you exceptional views of Grinnell Lake and Angel Wing and Mt. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail will bring you above one of Glacier National Park’s most prominent glacier formations. The first two level miles are spent briefly along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine’s north shores. There are two ways to access the Grinnell Glacier trail. Nearly a century after Stanton’s photograph was taken, Grinnell Glacier has receded into it’s cirque basin and is no longer visible from the trail above Grinnell Lake. Horses are also able to use this trail. Access the start of this route from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead parking area, west of Swiftcurrent Lake. The Grinnell Glacier trail is a perfect hike for nature enthusiasts. If you hike the trail from the standard starting point (The parking lot at the trail-head alongside the road) the trail is 5.5 miles. Grinnell Lake Trail, Glacier National Park: See 27 reviews, articles, and 58 photos of Grinnell Lake Trail, ranked No.28 on Tripadvisor among 57 attractions in Glacier National Park. Since the 1930s, Grinnell Glacier has been melting into Upper Grinnell Lake. Start out on the first two level miles along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine's eastern and northern shores on the appropriately named North Shore Lake Josephine Trail.Towards the end of Lake Josephine, look for the right-hand turn onto the Grinnell Glacier Trail. Grinnell Glacier hike is a 'down and back' trail, which means you come back on the same trail you went in on (not a loop). Rate this Adventure 1.2 miles 1000 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. The path leading to Grinnell Glacier continues up the hill, and from this point, will climb a thigh-burning 135 feet over the course of the next tenth-of-a-mile. Round-Trip: 11 Miles. Start out on the first two level miles along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine's eastern and northern shores on the appropriately named North Shore Lake Josephine Trail.Towards the end of Lake Josephine, look for the right-hand turn onto the Grinnell Glacier Trail. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. A steep snowfield precludes access to it until mid-July, and snow returns to bury the upper trail by late September. The trail is a moderate to challenging out and back hike with breathtaking views the entire way. Views from the top look down on Grinnell Glacier, the Salamander (formerly part of Grinnell Glacier, but now a separate, hanging glacier) and the surreal, turquoise Upper Grinnell Lake. Hike to Grinnell Glacier Overlook via Highline Trail. Grinnell Glacier Trail Description – from Thunderbird Falls to the outhouse and rest area This was the so-called Thunderbird Falls, which was an opportunity to briefly cool off under this weeping wall. Experience the best spots on one of the best public trails in America. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is a very special place that is thousands of feet above the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park.The view from this overlook is absolutely spectacular, and it's very much worth the hike up the Highline Trail on the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass to see it. The Grinnell Lake hike is one of the most beautiful trails in Glacier National Park. Grinnell Glacier Trail. Please note that there is a fee to ride the two boats.) Grinnell Glacier Trail, located in the Many Glacier area, is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park, and for good reason. Its vistas are incredible (and well documented online) and the trail is well maintained and can be hiked if you are in reasonable shape. Added by Theresa Wang. After some more elevation, you find yourself above the cliffs and have a little rest area before the final little push up to Upper Grinnell Lake and the Glacier. After all, Many Glacier has access to some of the best hikes in Glacier National Park (in my opinion). Mount Gould towers above you the entire time as you climb 1600 vertical feet! How Long is Grinnell Glacier Trail? Sheer cliff faces add more drama as if more drama were necessary. (Boat rides across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine can shorten the hike to about 7 miles. The first two miles follow the north shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. The trail departs from Many Glacier Hotel on the northeast side of Glacier National Park.There are trails along opposite sides of two beautiful subalpine lakes preceding Grinnell Lake, as well … Once we got to the fork in the trail, one trail going to Grinnell Lake and one trail going to Grinnell Glacier (we picked the latter), we started to see some elevation changes. Tips for a Grinnell Lake Hike. Beyond Thunderbird Falls, the Grinnell Glacier Trail continued to hug narrower ledges while maintaining its climb. As the ice melts, the lake gradually grows larger. Swiftcurrent Nature Trail 2.3 mile loop (3.7 km) The first ¼ mile past the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead is wheelchair accessible Trailhead: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or Many Glacier Hotel.