Grinnell Glacier Trail How to Hike Series

Grinnell Glacier Trail of the Glacier National Park is one of the most fun and beautiful hikes. Enjoy breathtaking view of various landscapes, passing three lakes {Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine and Grinnell Lake} and experience glacier 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 trial. It is a must-hike if you are in 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 in the northeast side of Glacier National Park, the Many Glacier area. 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.

We hiked there in the summer of 2021 and absolutely loved it. It took us 4 hours to get to the end of the trail and another 4 hours to come back, including picture and snack/water stops.

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 entire one side of 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 climbing 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 taking about 1 hour to hike. Every segment has its unique characteristics.

Segment 1 features 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 a oval shaped pond, we saw big blocks of glacier inside 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 rocky path, stunning valley view and Grinnell Lake

This segment features rocky unpaved path, when you walk toward the glacier, you see cliffs on your left side and 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 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 the 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 view. You see glacier covered mountain 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 trail.

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 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 surface serve as wonderful sitting area. It is a popular spot for snack/water break. By now, you are halfway through the one-way trail.

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

Segment 3 highlight 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 the Grinnell Lake from various angles, as well as gorgeous valley view.

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About half way 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 break 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 highlight No.2 – beautiful wild flowers

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 glacier

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

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

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 path 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.

It is amazing to see glacier so closeup.

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