Hiking Grinnell Glacier Trail

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Grinnell Glacier Trail at Glacier National Park is one of the most fun and beautiful hikes we as a family have ever done. It is also one of the longest, which took us 8 hours round trip. We vacationed there during the summer of 2021 and absolutely loved it.

It was amazing to enjoy the breathtaking views of various landscapes along the way, passing three lakes {Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine, and Grinnell Lake}, and experiencing glaciers at the end of the trail.

The trail is about 11.2 miles or 18 kilometers long, taking approximately 4 hours to get to the end of the trail and another 4 hours to come back. Be prepared to spend 8 hours total on the trail. It is a must-hike if you are in the Glacier National Park area. Perfect for amateur outdoorsy persons who enjoy just the right amount of challenges.

About Grinnell Glacier Trail

Grinnell Glacier Trail is located on the northeast side of Glacier National Park, the Many Glacier areas. The trail is about 11.2 miles {18 kilometers} long. The elevation gain is about 2,000 ft {600 meters}. To hike the trail, you start at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead and then hike toward the glacier.

For about 40% of the trail, you are hiking along the shoreline of Switfcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.

The trail covers a small portion of the Swiftcurrent Lake shoreline, but the entire side of the Lake Josephine shoreline.

Grinnell Lake is much smaller compared to the other two lakes, it is also located further out from the trail. After passing Josephine Lake, you overlook the lake the whole way till the end of the trail as you climb many rock/stone stairs. The beautiful lake in the distance kept you going.

What do you see and experience along Grinnell Glacier Hike?

If I divide the entire trail into 4 segments, each is a little under 3 miles and takes about 1 hour to hike. Every segment has its unique characteristics.

Segment 1 features an unpaved dirt path in the forest and along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine

It starts at the trailhead and ends at the end of Lake Josephine. The trail starts with an unpaved dirt path in the forest, almost feels like you are hiking in your neighborhood forest reserve.

You then cross Swiftcurrent Creek and walk toward the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake. It takes about 7 minutes to get here.

For the next 5 minutes or so, you are hiking along the lakeshore until you are at the end of Swiftcurrent lake.

After having said “see you later” to Swiftcurrent Lake, you are back in the forest unpaved dirt path.

After a short 5-minute walk, you start to see Lake Josephine on your left side.

Along the shoreline, there is an oval-shaped pond, we saw big blocks of glaciers in the pond.

For the next 25 minutes, you are walking along the shoreline of Lake Josephine, taking in the beautiful lake view with the mountain views in the background.

The plantation is thick and filled with wild berries and flowers.

Then you are at the end of Lake Josephine, which also concludes segment 1 of the trail. This segment is reasonably flat and relatively easy.

Segment 2 features a rocky path, a stunning valley view, and Grinnell Lake

This segment features a rocky unpaved path, when you walk toward the glacier, you see cliffs on your left side and a rocky mountain on your right side. Stunning valley views with Grinnell Lake in the distance.

The soil on the entire trail looks red, but this segment features a more pigmented red color. You will notice later your shoes are covered with red color dirt.

For this segment, the trail is winding around Grinnell Lake in the distance, you overlook the lake from different angles.

You also see glacier-covered mountains in the distance.

For a small portion of this segment, you are back on an unpaved dirt path in the forest with no visibility of Grinnell Lake because of the thick forest blocking the view.

However, before you know it, you are back on a rocky path with mountain & valley views. You see glacier-covered mountains and waterfalls or creeks from the melting glacier.

This rock overlook area which provides a stunning view culminates, also a perfect spot for water and picture stops. This concludes segment 2 of the trial.

Segment 2 is slightly more challenging compared to segment 1 of the trail, but still OK. Nevertheless, after having hiked for two hours, you felt exhaustion kick in and took extra strength to lift your legs to climb the hill.

Segment 3 of Grinnell Glacier Hike features a rocky path, waterfalls, and Grinnell Lake

At the beginning of segment 3 of Grinnell Glacier Trail, you will see a rocky area with beautiful waterfalls. Big rocks with flat surfaces serve as a wonderful sitting area. It is a popular spot for snack/water breaks. By now, you are halfway through the one-way trail.

Most of the elevation occurred in the second half of the trail or segments 3 and 4 as I describe it. The hiking becomes increasingly challenging.

Segment 3 highlights No.1 – waterfalls

One of the highlights of this segment is the waterfall in the middle of the trail.

Frankly, I was thinking about quickly running through the waterfall to avoid being poured on. But because of the wet slippery rock stairs and my seemingly extra heavy legs, I ended up walking slowly and carefully. But don’t worry, you will get dried in no time.

For segment 3 of Grinnell Glacier Trail, expect to do a lot of lifting legs and climbing the hills through the winding trail. The terrain becomes more difficult.

The rewarding part is that the view becomes increasingly scenic too. You can see Grinnell Lake from various angles, as well as a gorgeous valley view.

About halfway into this segment, you come to this rock cliffs overlook area, overlooking the lake and valley. No doubt it is another wonderful spot for water/snack breaks and picture stops.

Remember the waterfalls formed by the melting glacier in the distance featured in segment 2? By the end of segment 3, you climbed up the mountain enough to get a very close look at it.

Segment 3 highlights No.2 – beautiful wildflowers

This segment concludes in a meadow area filled with wildflowers. Purple, coral, and yellow are among the dominant beautiful colors.

Segment 4 features steep rock stairs and a glacier

This is the last segment of the Grinnell Glacier Trail. The most challenging part is as you climb the steep rocky hill after having hiked for 3 hours straight.

Apparently, my two teenage boys still had plenty of energy to choose a more challenging route, LOL.

In one portion of segment 4, you are on a narrow dirt path with beautiful wildflowers blooming on the trail side.

Expect a lot of climbing via winding dirt/rock paths on this segment of the trail.

This is also the area where you likely encounter bighorn sheep. Their mountain climbing skill is outstanding, to say the least.

By now you have climbed high enough to look down over the beautiful Grinnell Lake.

The last leg of the trail is a set of rock stairs.

And finally, you are on this platform walking toward the glacier.

You can definitely enjoy the glacier from the platform. If you want to take a closer look at the glacier, simply climb down the little hill, which fellow hikers jokingly call “extra credit”.

It is amazing to see glaciers so close up.

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