Each summer thousands of hikers take the well-worn trail to be rewarded with the sight of the remnant Grinnell Glacier and Upper Grinnell Lake. We went in September and it was snow cold. Grinnell Glacier. Basically a walk in the woods, the trail to Grinnell Lake also passes by Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes. Boating The Grinnell Glacier hike is a little more than 10 miles round-trip and, at the viewpoint, reaches 1,600 feet in altitude. Call 406-888-7800 and press 5 to leave a call-back number. There are two ways to get to this trail. Loop B of the Apgar Campground has opened for first-come, first served primitive camping. Grinnell Glacier via Highline Trail (Logan Pass), 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). I went on a very cloudy day, so the lake looked slightly blue, not like the pictures. Mileage: 10.3 Miles. Winter conditions are in effect throughout the park trail system. level 2 dc122186 Elevation Gain: 1,819 ft. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Obtain a boat permit from the Apgar Permit Center. The first two miles follow the north shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. Non-essential travel on road within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is prohibited. The Grinnell Glacier Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in Glacier National Parks. Staying at Swiftcurrent made access to great hiking trails very easy. To view the glaciers and Upper Grinnell Lake, make sure you follow the trail up and over the rocky moraine beyond the picnic area. 4. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We were told to come back in spring when more snow from the winter is still around. I recommend Avalanche Lake and St. Mary’s for views of glacial lakes. The views from up top are amazing, but i, I had seen many reviews with carribean blue water. Another fun Glacier National Park hiking trail is Grinnell Lake. Alternate route: You can instead start at The Loop (shuttle stop), hike up to the Granite Park Chalet, and then hike an additional 0.8 miles to the beginning of the overlook trail for a total of 6.8 miles. Loop B will remain open for primitive camping through the winter. Additionally most areas within the park, east of the Continental Divide, remain closed to all access due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, just outside the park. The majority of the backcountry campgrounds are open by mid-July although the routes connecting the campgrounds may still be impassible. Snow has begun to accumulate on park trails. The view of the Grinnell Lake from Grinnell Glacier Trail Grinnell Lake Hike - Easy To shorten the hiking effort, one can also take Boat tours by Glacier Park Boat Company from Many Glacier Hotel that is a 2-lake cruise with a 0.25 mile walk over moderate hills between the Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes. We continued thinking just a little further to the end, but it kept going. Mere steps down the trail open up a brand-new perspective where the sights and smells, and sometimes even the taste of huckleberries, create memories. Skiing and snowshoeing along the road is a popular winter activity. Hikers will enjoy the vast array of terrain, including alpine meadows, steep slopes, rocky cliffs, beautiful lakes, and incredible glacier views. The trail has an altitude gain of just over 1,600 ft (490 m), with the majority of that in the second half of the hike. The standard hike to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park begins from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, located a half mile past the turn off for the Many glacier Hotel. As you hike… There’s is a trail that will bring you all the way up to Grinnell Glacier and give you stunning views. Mount Gould towers above you the entire time as you climb 1600 vertical feet! Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park Babb. The hike to Grinnell Glacier is one of Glacier National Park’s most beautiful hikes. Gould, the Continental Divide and Grinnell Lake. This will shave almost 5 miles off of your trip. Stops at The National Bison Range as well as Flathead Lake. This hike starts in the Many Glacier area of the National Park and is one of the best hikes! Image Use Most of the repeat photography images available on this website are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. You can also hike from the Many Glacier Hotel or from the official trailhead which is the parking lot west of the Hotel entrance (12 miles round trip without the boat cruise). The Going-to-the-Sun Road is open at the West Entrance. The glacier can be reached after a 6-mile (9.7 km) hike from a trailhead beginning at Swiftcurrent Lake. You can either hike it by itself or combine it with the Grinnell Glacier Trail. more, Recommended experiences in and around Glacier National Park. had to pull over a few times just for me to breathe. The water there was green and really gorgeous (even on a cloudy day.) Length 13.8 miElevation gain 3015 ftRoute type Out & Back Half Day Glacier National Park Whitewater... Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater... 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The lake was an amazing blue. Grinnell Glacier Trail. It is a day long hike along the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. Trails in the Many Glacier and Two Medicine Valleys are not open this summer. But the views along the way are just as jaw-dropping. Easiest remaining glacier to hike to in the park. All boats must be inspected prior to launch. Just after the junction, you start going up. Due to COVID-19 precautions, permits will be issued electronically by advance reservation only. For almost 12 miles, this trail takes hikers high above Going-to-the-Sun Road, with stunning views of the park and a chance to see glaciers, alpine wildflowers, and wildlife. Hiking to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park is a bucket list item! Grinnell Glacier Trail From Josephine Lake to Glacier Overlook/ 3.7 mi. This is a day hike with an ultimate reward -an incredible glacier at the end of the route. When hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail, a hiker will pass by crystal clear mountain lakes, towering mountains and will have the unique opportunity to stand on a glacier if one chooses. CLOSED as part of general east side closure due to pandemic. We traveled to Glacier primarily to see the view from Grinnell lake unfortunately with covid the Blackfeet have closed their roads. The Grinnell glacier trail is closed if you try to access it from Many Glacier. Snow drift blasting and treading is usually completed by Trail Crew by the end of July. Please consult the … We loved the Cedar walk water and a turn off. The trail to Grinnell Glacier was spectacular, even though we couldn't get past Grinnell Lake to Grinnell Glacier due to a heavy snowfall the night before - this was towards the end of June! Trails and Backcountry Camping Check the Trail Status page for updates on open and closed trails. Grinnell Lake is the longest hike that I am recommending for kids here in Glacier, and is one of our favorite hikes at Many Glacier. Danita Delimont via Gallo Images / Getty Images Plus You can access it through the West Glacier or East Glacier, depending on what is open and available. Time Your Trip. Lake McDonald is currently the only lake open to boating. In Apgar there is a campstore with limited grocery supplies, gift shops, recreational equipment rental, and a restaurant that may operate later into the fall. The trail runs for 6 miles and has a vertical gain of 1600 feet. The West side of the park was amazing. 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 … Sadly the glacier itself was much smaller than expected. There is no water available and only vault toilets. This historic image is one of the oldest images re-photographed among the collection. Skiing and Snowshoeing Depending on weather conditions the road will be open to Avalanche Creek or Lake McDonald Lodge. 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). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Unfortunately while we were there the trail to Grinnell Glacier was closed due to some pretty steep snowy patches that ended in rocky cliffs. Access to the eastern side of Glacier National Park is closed due to COVID-19 precautions. As you proceed up the trailhead and into the valley, there will be three glaciers visible. See park web site for map with latest area closure. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. A gorgeous view of Grinnell Lake in Glacier National Park in Montana. These are private tours (your party only), hotel pick up and drop off included, you call the stops, we take your photos for you, And we offer complimentary snacks and drinks. There are spectacular views of Grinnell Lake to the south, with Mt. Then the trail gains elevation with views of Grinnell Falls, Angel Wing, Mt. We. My 11 year old thought but was ok and my 8 year old was miserable. Once near Josephine Lake, you will see a junction for Grinnell … If you like mountain hiking, it's warm and sunny, or you really like challenging yourself you might love this. No way to access Grinnell Lake - East side of park and Many entrance closed. Grinell Glacier and Wing Lookout [CLOSED] is a 13.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Browning, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The hike was very difficult. ... and wearing sturdy hiking shoes. 2. We were able to see the beautiful scenery by air. 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. Boating season will close on November 1, 2020. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Length: 10.3 miles . If you’re looking for an easy day hike in Glacier National Park, look no further than the Grinnell Lake hike. Globe Trekkers is all about giving you The VIP and attention you deserve! As is typical for this time of year much of the road access to the park has closed for the season. It was 1.25 miles high. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater... Half Day Glacier National Park Scenic Float. Check the Road Status webpage for up-to-date information. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier. I'm pretty healthy and do cardio workouts regularly. Twelve miles may sound like a long way to hike, but these miles tick by fast. You might be able to hike parts of the trails in the Many Glacier area, I heard that part of the Grinnell Glacier trail was open, (although snow packed) and that you can hike far enough to look down on Grinnell Lake which is phenomenal! You’ll pass through open meadows with mind-blowing views of Grinnell Falls, Lower Grinnell Lake, the Continental Divide, Angel Wing and Mount Gould. As you climb up the flanks of Mt. If you're looking for an iconic hike in Montana's Glacier National Park, the 10.3-mile Grinnell Glacier Trail offers a truly memorable experience. Please choose a different date. Preferred route: Start the Highline Trail at Logan Pass. Unforgettable. Grinnell Glacier: Is another epic hike in Glacier. This beautiful 6.8 mile round-trip-trail makes an excellent recovery-day-hike when visiting the Many Glacier area. There are two ways to do this hike. Generally, Ptarmigan Tunnel doors open in mid-July. Trails and Backcountry Camping Sometimes moose are also spotted in this area. The hike is about 7.5 miles round trip from our upper boat dock on Lake Josephine, and the trail is typically open by mid July. I'm not sure how much were filters and how much was real. Seasonal suspension and plank bridges are all installed by mid-July. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail will bring you above one of Glacier National Park’s most prominent glacier formations. It’s open if you try to access it from Piegan Pass, but that would make for a long day. Along with the trails already mentioned, portions of such trails as Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier may be open. On those trails, you’re likely to encounter a “trail closed beyond this point” sign somewhere along the way, but getting that far could be rewarding. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. Lodges, Restaurants, and Other Services Then the trail gains elevation with views of Grinnell Falls, Angel Wing, Mt. Hiking to Grinnell Lake, the terrain remains mostly flat. The snow is beginning to get too deep for hiking on the road. The massive wall of ice that constituted the terminus of Grinnell Glacier has receded beyond view from this point. Areas of this hike may be closed even into June due to lingering snow. On this hike, we spotted moose, mountain goats, and bear. Get up early and be at the desired trailhead at first light especially during July and … The lake itself was not exciting on a cloudy day. Permits may be obtained up to 7 days in advance. The shorter and easier option is to take a boat ride across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. This small group tour, no more than 4, is a jeep safari or SUV You will have your own tour guide as well as your own professional photographer. This hike has it all…stunning alpine scenery, waterfalls, emerald green lakes, wildflowers, the chance to see wildlife, and of course, a glacier. Hike 6.8 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. Gould, the Continental Divide and Grinnell Lake. You should be able to spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep along the mountainsides, and possibly grizzlies and black bear below the trail. You start at the same trail head for Grinnell Glacier. Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an. Camping The Highline Trail is one of Glacier National Park’s best day hikes. Occasionally in extreme conditions the road may be closed at the foot of Lake McDonald. The Grinnell Glacier Trail is gorgeous, and that in itself is worth the trip! From November 20th to May 1st, special backcountry camping regulations are in effect. Glacier’s concessioners operating lodging, restaurants, boat rentals, horseback rides, and bus tours have closed for the season. The trail to the left is the Josephine Walk to the Grinnell Lake Trail, and the trail to the right is the Grinnell Glacier Trail. special backcountry camping regulations are in effect. Trails on the west side of the park are open including the Highline Trail, Loop Trail, Sperry Chalet Trail, and the Gunsight Lake trail. Users have reported that Grinnell Glacier can still be accessed from the western side of Glacier National Park. Gould standing tall behind it. 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