Outbound Collective logo

Details

Distance

5.3 miles

Elevation Gain

1600 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Pete Milne

It is one of the most accessible glaciers in the park.The mesmerizing colors of bright blue and turquoise in both Grinnell Lake and Upper Grinnell Lake.Simply an enjoyable and rewarding hike.But the main draw? It's a glacier.

There are a couple of routes or options to take on this hike. One, is to shave some mileage off the overall hike by taking the boat tours across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. The second is to start your hike at the trailhead of Many Glacier Hotel. However, both options are a win-win.

Regardless of your method, you'll start by driving into East Glacier and into Many Glacier Hotel. Find some parking and load up. From there you'll hit the trail that winds around and above Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lake. Once Grinnell Lake is in sight, stay on the high trail that will take you up to the glacier itself.

On a summer day, this trail is hot with very little shade from Lake Josephine all the way to the glacier. There is a lot of exposure so stay hydrated. On a colder day, that same exposure can leave you at the mercy of whatever weather decides to show up.

This is a very popular trail and people are everywhere. The same can be said for bears, mountain goats and bighorn sheep as well.

For most people this could be a once-in-a-lifetime hike. So, bring a group, your family, your friends and enjoy this incredible place!

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin
Photography
Backpacking
Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest
Groups
Lake
Picnic Area
River
Romantic
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Swimming Hole

Grinnell Glacier Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Waterton Lakes via Packers Roost

Fly Over Glacier National Park

Bike Glacier's Going to the Sun Road

Swiftcurrent Lookout

Camp at Many Glacier Campground in Glacier National Park

Redrock Falls