Grinnell Glacier Trail
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The Grinnell Glacier Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in Glacier
National Parks. 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.
The trail runs for 6 miles and has a vertical gain of 1600 feet.
The first two miles of the trail are essentially flat. Beyond that,
the trail has a gradual incline up to its end. The trail ends at
Upper Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier at the base of the continental
divide.
 View
the Grinnell Glaicer Trail Photo Gallery for more pictures
The Grinnell Glacier
Trail begins in the Many Glacier Valley. The trailhead is located just
down the road from the Many Glacier Hotel at a picnic area. The trail
first follows the shoreline of Swiftcurrent
Lake for about a half-mile. It soon emerges onto the shores of Lake
Josephine. From here, the Grinnell Glacier Trail offers superb
views for its entire length.
The trail follows
Lake Josephine on the lakes western shoreline, gradually increasing
in elevation. Beautiful views of Mount Allen, Lake Josephine and Mount
Gould surround the hiker on this section of the Grinnell Glacier Trail.
Near the inlet to Lake Josephine, a spur trail leads down to Lake Josephine.
Following this,
the trail then begins a gradual but steady ascent towards Upper Grinnell
Lake. The trail travels through open countryside, with no obstructions
to the incredible views that surround the hiker. For the trails remaining
length, a hiker is awarded with stunning views of Lower Grinnell Lake,
Angel Wing, Mt. Gould, the continental divide and Grinnell Falls. Mountain
goats are commonly seen and bighorn sheep can also be periodically
spotted. Since the Grinnell Glacier Trail passes through excellent
bear habitat, grizzly bears can frequently be seen below the trail.
The Grinnell Glacier
Trail has a "false ending" that some hikers take to be the
end of the trail. The trail comes up to a picnic area, complete with
a pit toilet and log benches, about a half-mile from the trails end.
To view the glacier and Upper Grinnell Lake, make sure you follow the
trail up and over the rocky moraine beyond the picnic area. The short
climb up over this rocky moraine is rather painful, as it is the steepest
part of the whole hike. Thankfully, it is also just .2 miles long.
Once a hiker reaches
the end of the trail, they will be rewarded with beautiful views of
a retreating glacier and a very cold, glacially fed high alpine lake.
Upper Grinnell Lake is a relatively new lake, being formed by the melting
waters of the Grinnell Glacier. The Grinnell Glacier has shrunk in
size by more than 40% over the past thirty years and continues to shrink.
Since Upper Grinnell Lake receives its water from melting glaciers,
the water is milky white in color.
In addition to the Grinnell Glacier, two other glaciers are also seen
from Upper Grinnell Lake. A long, thin glacier that meanders its way
along the continental divide is called the Salamander Glacier. This
glacier use to be connected to the Grinnell Glacier, but melting has
caused the glaciers to separate. The Gem Glacier, a small, square glacier
can also be seen, which lies high along the continental divide by Mt.
Gould.
Hikers seeking solitude
should avoid the Grinnell Glacier Trail. It is one of the more popular
trails in Glacier National Park due to its incredible beauty and its
fairly easy ascent. With a vertical rise of only 1600 feet, the Grinnell
Glacier Trail provides a relatively easy hike in comparison to many
other Glacier National Park trails.
A backcountry campground
is located near Lower Grinnell Lake. In addition, the Many Glacier
Campground is located near the trailhead, providing a nice spot to
camp. For hikers seeking more luxurious accommodations, the Many Glacier
Hotel provides all the comforts of home with incredible views of Swiftcurrent
Lake and the surrounding mountains.
View
the Grinnell Glaicer Trail Photo Gallery for more pictures
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